Contact: Pamela Cox
Dir., Strategic Communications
& Public Relations
Virginia Union University
(804) 342-5856 (o)
(804) 937-7936 (c)
(RICHMOND, Virginia) - Virginia Union University (VUU) announces the appointment of Dr. Terrell Strayhorn to Associate Provost for Research, Innovation, and Graduate Education; Director of the Center for the Study of HBCUs; and tenured Professor of Urban Education in the Evelyn Reid Syphax School of Education.
“Dr. Strayhorn is an experienced academic leader, internationally-recognized education expert, and equity-minded scholar,” said Dr. Hakim Lucas, president and CEO of Virginia Union University. “He embodies the leadership characteristics that VUU is recruiting as we emerge to a new globally-recognized institution of higher learning.”
Dr. Strayhorn has over 15 years of work experience in higher education. Previously, he has served on the faculty at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UTK), The Ohio State University (OSU), and LeMoyne-Owen College (LOC), serving as UTK Special Assistant to the Provost, OSU College of Education Diversity Officer, and LOC Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs/Chief Academic Officer. He has managed and directed several university-wide research centers and specializes in building cross-functional, collaborative partnerships between institutions, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders. He has made extraordinary achievements at previous institutions in developing future faculty leaders, increasing academic grants, championing graduate pathways, and monetizing academic assets.
“This is an exciting time of growth for our academic offerings at Virginia Union University,” said Dr. Joy Goodrich, Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs and Accreditation Liaison. “Dr. Strayhorn’s experience will be a great advantage as we grow faculty research and offer new programs of instruction.”
At VUU, along with growing the University’s research imprint as chief research officer and overseeing graduate studies, Strayhorn will lead VUU’s newly created Center for the Study of HBCUs. The national research center will conduct high-quality studies, serve as a connector and convener of the HBCU scholarly community, and disseminate publications that focus on the history, mission, and management of HBCUs. Furthermore, the Center’s team will study leadership styles and how to bridge traditional missions with contemporary higher educational demands. The Center for the Study of HBCUs has released a call for manuscripts on HBCU research and related topics as part of a new book series on “Contemporary Research in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).” An editorial board, comprised of HBCU Presidents and academic scholars, is chaired by VUU president & CEO Dr. Hakim Lucas.
Dr. Strayhorn earned undergraduate degrees in music and religious studies from the University of Virginia (UVA) and a master’s degree in education policy from UVA’s Curry School of Education. He holds a doctorate (Ph.D.) in higher education from Virginia Tech. Strayhorn also earned a graduate certificate from VT in race and social policy, as well as graduate teaching and pedagogy. A highly prolific scholar, Strayhorn is author of 10 books and nearly 200 refereed journal articles, book chapters, and scientific reports.
About VUU: Virginia Union University is a premier liberal arts urban institution of higher education and center of excellence for the preparation of students and the development of leaders for tomorrow’s world. It was founded in 1865 to give newly emancipated slaves an opportunity for education and advancement. Virginia Union University offers a broad range of educational opportunities that advances liberal arts education, teaching, research, science, technology, continuing education, civic engagement, and international experiences. Visit https://www.vuu.edu/ for more information.