Little Rock, Ark (July 25, 2024) — Philander Smith University has announced that effective August 1, Dr. Maurice D. Gipson will succeed Dr. Cynthia A. Bond Hopson as Interim President and CEO. Dr. Bond Hopson, who has led the university since July 2023, will be resuming her work for the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Higher Education & Ministry.
“We are grateful to have Dr. Maurice D. Gipson as our new Interim President and CEO,” said Dr. Tionna Jenkins, PSU Board Chair. “Dr. Gipson is no stranger to Philander Smith University, having served on our Board of Trustees for the past four years and as Vice Chair for the past two years. We are confident that he will provide the oversight needed to guide our institution during this transitional period.”
A native of Ferriday, Louisiana, Gipson boasts extensive experience in higher education. He currently serves as the Vice Chancellor for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at the University of Missouri, where he is also a faculty member in the departments of History and Black Studies. In his role at the University of Missouri, Dr. Gipson oversees a division with over 120 staff members and manages a multi-million-dollar budget, serving the flagship campus of over 30,000 students in Columbia, Missouri.
Previously, Dr. Gipson was the Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Community Engagement and an instructor of history at Arkansas State University. His career spans over a decade in higher education executive leadership, with significant contributions to student success, access initiatives, faculty recruitment and retention, and strategic leadership.
Dr. Gipson is a graduate of Louisiana State University and earned a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center, with an emphasis on civil rights. He holds a master’s degree in history from Missouri State University and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Mississippi. His professional journey includes roles at the University of Texas-Austin, Wiley College, and Huston-Tillotson University. With expertise as both a researcher and practitioner, his career demonstrates a commitment to advancing education and equity.
“I am honored to serve as the Interim President and CEO of Philander Smith University, and I look forward to working with our talented students, outstanding faculty, and dedicated staff to continue our positive trajectory forward,” Gipson said. “This institution has such a storied legacy and I am humbled that the Board of Trustees has confidence in me to lead PSU during its transition.”
Amid the continuation of the presidential search, Dr. Gipson’s interim leadership will be key to maintaining the institution’s forward momentum. The Presidential Search Committee is expected to soon issue an update regarding developments in the ongoing search process.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
scole@philander.edu