Four Black Women Presidents Have Been Fired from HBCUs in Two Months

The Alabama State University Board of Trustees voted, last week, to suspend Gwendolyn Boyd as president, according to AL.com.

She has been placed on administrative leave following the board's declaration of "failure to maintain confidence." Boyd was hired in January 2014 by unanimous vote. was known for amping up the schools STEM programs, but also battled accreditation issues, credit drops and budget short falls.

"It's disappointing. It definitely caught me off guard. It's not good for the university, but they are the board and they do get to make that decision."

The board appointed Provost Dr. Leon Wilson to serve as interim president. There will be a hearing on the matter on November 14.




Boyd is a former national president of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

Boyd is the fourth woman president of an HBCU to be out of a job in the past two months. Former Jackson State University president Carolyn Meyers resigned in October amid concerns about the school's finances. Lady June Cole was fired from Allen University in September after three years with the university. Elmira Mangum stepped down as president of Florida A&M University in September. Mangum reportedly had strained relationships with members of the Board of Trustees.

The mass exodus of women in top roles at Black higher education institutions has sparked concern.