Leadership

The people guiding Allen University forward.

Allen is governed by its Board of Trustees and led by the President and a senior leadership team working together to advance student success, academic excellence, and the University’s historic mission.

Meet Allen’s leadership.

From the President

Leading with stability and shared purpose.

“Higher education must do more than transmit information, it must teach students how to think, communicate, listen, question, and lead.”

Dr. Stanley J. Pritchett, Sr., The EDU Ledger, September 25, 2026

Priorities for Allen

  • Student success

    Preparing students to become thoughtful participants in their communities and professions.

  • Institutional integrity

    Honoring Allen’s foundation in faith, scholarship, and service in every decision.

  • Fiscal responsibility

    Careful, disciplined stewardship of Allen’s resources.

  • Shared leadership

    Progress through listening, transparency, and collective responsibility.

Read Dr. Pritchett’s biography →

Leadership at a Glance

Who leads each part of Allen.

Office of the President

Vice Presidents

  • Dr. Toni Sims MuhammadProvost & Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • Dr. Ruby FieldingExecutive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer · Interim Vice President for Fiscal Affairs
  • Dr. Andre RichardsonVice President for Student Affairs
  • Dr. Oluwole A. AriyoVice President for Research, Innovation & Strategic Initiatives
  • Mr. Ti Barnes, MPAVice President for Institutional Advancement
  • Mr. Stanley B. CromartieVice President & Director of Athletics

Officers of the Board of Trustees

  • Bishop James L. DavisChairman · Presiding Prelate, Seventh Episcopal District, AME Church
  • Mr. Keith BrittonVice Chairman
  • Ms. Sandra AndersonSecretary
Full bios on the Senior Leadership page →

How Allen Is Led

Shared leadership, one mission.

Allen is rooted in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Its Board is chaired by the Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District.

  1. Board of Trustees

    The University’s governing body. Safeguards Allen’s resources, sets long-term priorities, and strengthens governance and planning for generations to come.

  2. The President

    Leads the University and its senior leadership team, entrusted by the Board with full authority of the presidential office.

  3. Senior Leadership

    Works alongside the President to advance student success, academic excellence, and the University’s historic mission across every division.

A Legacy of Leadership

More than 150 years of presidents and bishops.

Since 1880, when Bishop William F. Dickerson led the move to Columbia, Allen’s presidents and the bishops who chair its board have carried the University forward. Several of their names live on across campus.

  • Chappelle Administration Building

    Named for Bishop William David Chappelle, president 1897–1899 and board chairman 1916–1925.

  • Arnett Hall

    Named for Rev. Benjamin W. Arnett, board chairman 1888–1892. The oldest remaining building on campus.

  • Joseph Simon Flipper Library

    Bishop Joseph S. Flipper chaired the board from 1936 to 1944.

  • John Hurst Adams Gymnatorium

    Bishop John Hurst Adams chaired the board from 1992 to 2000.

Presidents of Allen University
  1. 1881–1885Rev. J. C. Watts
  2. 1885–1894Joseph W. Morris
  3. 1894–1895Rev. John Q. Johnson
  4. 1895–1897Joseph W. Morris
  5. 1897–1899Rev. William David Chappelle
  6. 1899–1904Rev. David H. Johnson
  7. 1904–1908Rev. William D. Johnson
  8. 1908–1912Rev. David Chappelle
  9. 1912–1916Rev. William W. Beckett
  10. 1916–1924Rev. Robert W. Mance
  11. 1924–1932Rev. David H. Sims
  12. 1932–1937Abram L. Simpson
  13. 1937–1939Eugene Howard McGill
  14. 1939–1956Samuel Richard Higgins
  15. 1956–1961Frank R. Veal
  16. 1961–1965Howard E. Wright
  17. 1965–1967Benjamin J. Glover
  18. 1967–1973James W. Hairston
  19. 1973–1976Benjamin Glover
  20. 1976–1977Ruben S. Turner
  21. 1977Alvis Adair
  22. 1979–1981G. W. Nichols
  23. 1981–1983David W. Williams
  24. 1983–1984Sylvia Swinton (Interim)
  25. 1984–1994Collie Coleman
  26. 1994–1997David T. Shannon, Sr.
  27. 1997–2001John K. Waddell
  28. 2001–2010Charles E. Young
  29. 2010–2013Pamela M. Martin
  30. 2016–2025Dr. Ernest McNealey, 30th President
  31. 2025–Dr. Stanley J. Pritchett, Sr.
Chairmen of the Board of Trustees
  1. 1876–1880Bishop John Mifflin Brown
  2. 1880–1884Bishop William F. Dickerson
  3. 1884–1888Bishop James A. Shorter
  4. 1888–1892Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett
  5. 1892–1896Bishop Moses B. Salter
  6. 1896–1897Bishop James C. Embry
  7. 1897–1900Bishop Abraham Grant
  8. 1900–1904Bishop Wesley J. Gaines
  9. 1904–1908Bishop Levi J. Coppin
  10. 1908–1912Bishop Benjamin F. Lee
  11. 1912–1913Bishop Henry M. Turner
  12. 1913–1916Bishop Levi J. Coppin
  13. 1916–1925Bishop William D. Chappelle
  14. 1925–1926Bishop William W. Beckett
  15. 1926–1930Bishop John Hurst
  16. 1930–1932Bishop Reverdy C. Ransom
  17. 1932–1936Bishop Noah W. Williams
  18. 1936Bishop William D. Johnson
  19. 1936–1944Bishop Joseph S. Flipper
  20. 1944–1956Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Sr.
  21. 1956–1960Bishop Isaiah H. Bonner
  22. 1960–1961Bishop Samuel Richard Higgins
  23. 1962–1968Bishop Carey A. Gibbs
  24. 1968–1972Bishop William F. Ball, Sr.
  25. 1972–1976Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols
  26. 1976–1984Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Jr.
  27. 1984–1992Bishop Frederick Calhoun James
  28. 1992–2000Bishop John Hurst Adams
  29. 2000–2004Bishop Henry A. Belin, Jr.
  30. 2004–2012Bishop Preston Warren Williams II
  31. 2012–Bishop Richard F. Norris
  32. 2016–Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr.
  33. CurrentBishop James L. Davis

Lists through 2013 are from Allen University’s historical records. Alumni Dr. Frank R. Veal, Dr. Wardell Nichols, and Dr. Sylvia P. Swinton are among the graduates who returned to lead Allen.

Where we’re going

Committed to Allen’s next 150 years.

See the roadmap guiding the University, or find the right office to contact.