Dr. Claude Perkins

The Virginia Union University Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Claude G. Perkins Acting President on January 21, 2009. Dr. Perkins is a veteran educator who recently retired from Albany State University in Albany, Georgia, where he served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School. Dr. Perkins established Albany State’s post-tenure review process and developed the Graduate School’s strategic plan. His responsibilities also included serving as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Ronald Brown International Trade Center, and the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and Student Retention. As Albany State’s representative for international affairs, Dr. Perkins provided oversight for program development to internationalize the curriculum, promote international faculty and student exchanges, and establish international partnerships for program development initiatives. He promoted study abroad programs in South Africa, Kenya, Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, Europe, and Asia. During his 10-year tenure at Albany State, Dr. Perkins also served as Dean and Professor of the College of Education.

Prior to his appointments at Albany State, Dr. Perkins held the position of Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for Special Student Services in the Richmond Public School System in Richmond, Virginia. He was responsible for the overall planning and assessment of the school division’s educational programs, facilities, business services, technology, human resources, and research needs. He also provided general administrative supervision for 60 schools and special programs. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Perkins was Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools in the Richmond Public School System. In this capacity, he served as the chief administrator and instructional leader for all middle, high, vocational, technical, and continuing education schools in the entire division. Dr. Perkins’ extensive experience has also included Superintendent of Schools positions in Kansas City, Missouri, and Clark County, Nevada. Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, was the fifth largest school district in the United States at that time with nearly 300,000 students.

Dr. Perkins earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Supervision from Ohio University in 1973 and a Masters of Arts in Economic Education from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University in 1968.

Dr. Perkins has shared his professional expertise as a consultant to educational institutions and private business enterprises throughout the nation, including public schools in Alaska, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Oregon, and Maryland. Colleges he has served include Kent State University, Ohio University, University of Central Michigan, Valdosta State University, and University of Nevada.

In 2005, the Clark County, Nevada School Board approved the naming of the new Claude Grandford Perkins Elementary School in recognition of Dr. Perkins’ service to the Clark County, Nevada education community. The $25 million facility was completed in the fall of 2007.