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Dr. Mark A. Brown, president and CEO, hosted town halls with students, faculty and staff to encourage transparency, collaboration and shared governance during his administration, which has been characterized by transformational change at the 144-year-old institution for students, programming and the campus landscape as part of the university’s Renaissance Era.
“This Renaissance Era is indeed a rebirth of Mother Tuskegee,” said Dr. Brown, “that is built on one guiding principle, the people – all of us, students, faculty, staff and alums. It is through our collective wisdom, dedication and commitment that we will move Tuskegee University forward.”
Each town hall – one with students, as an addition to the monthly Student Government Association student leadership meeting, and one with faculty and staff – was held in the Tuskegee University Chapel where Dr. Brown shared updates on campus progress, major initiatives, and engaged audiences on their questions.
Key Topics of Dr. Brown’s update included:
- Tuskegee Enrollment (3366) is at 10-year high. Brown acknowledged the importance of this achievement while adding that the university has the capacity to serve more students and must concentrate on ways to attract, keep and graduate more students, including plans underway to extensively increase our global recruitment pipeline.
- An Academic Renaissance is Happening at Tuskegee. Brown confirmed that two new degree opportunities will be available in 2026 – the Sports Management Degree in the School of Education and the Ph.D. in Computer Science. The Sports Management program advances Tuskegee’s unwavering focus on the scholar-athlete model that emphasizes academic excellence while expanding opportunities for students in highly employable careers. The Ph.D. curriculum is a significant expansion of Tuskegee’s graduate and research portfolio and accelerates the university’s efforts toward earning R2 research status which is also being advanced by the overall graduate school enrollment strategy and the university’s international recruitment work. Dr. Brown applauded the rebirth of the Aviation Science Degree program, which has recently been profiled nationally by CNN and Good Morning America.
- Removing Financial Barriers Unleashes Human Potential. Brown discussed the university’s unwavering focus on ways to reduce or eliminate debt as a deterrent to attending Tuskegee. He recapped successful efforts through Congressional testimony and visits to the Hill, to influence significant changes to legislation that originally eliminated several funding sources many Tuskegee students need. He explained the transactional history between legislators and Tuskegee and why Sen. Katie Britt’s honorary degree was critical and a continuation of a long and storied history in which Tuskegee leaders engage diverse constituents who are positioned and willing to assist the University. He also shared the impact of the Graduate School leadership in securing the tuition reduction through the Tuition Waiver Program for 25 Ph.D. students this academic year.
- Attracting more male students to Tuskegee. Brown applauded the achievements of young women who are choosing Tuskegee for their higher education while discussing what Tuskegee can do attract, keep and graduate more young Black men. Dr. Brown announced a new initiative launching soon specifically designed to connect with and lift up young Black men in ways that create pathways to college and success beyond it.
- The College of Veterinary Medicine is defending its AVMA accreditation. Brown reiterated that TUCVM remains accredited and has prevailed in its efforts to properly address issues outlined by the AVMA. Under the leadership of newly announced Dean, Dr. Ebony Gilbreath, the entire TUCVM community, including students, faculty, staff and alums, is committed to demanding fair due process. Dr. Brown underscored that TUCVM is not seeking any special treatment in the matter, simply fair and due process to confirm our progress and compliance according to long-standing accreditation procedures.
During the Q&A sessions at both events, participants raised a variety of topics from infrastructure and parking to on-campus dining options to questions about funding and support for departments at the university.
Dr. Brown stressed that this kind of open, honest dialogue is a necessary – and welcomed – part of healthy governance.
“I am looking forward to more of these town halls as an opportunity for all of us to come together, share ideas, raise questions, and shape the bright future of Mother Tuskegee, together,” said Dr. Brown.
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