SUS President/Chancellor Search Committee selects three finalists

The Southern University System (SUS) Board of Supervisors' President/Chancellor Search Committee, May 28, 2015, announced three finalists for the position of president/chancellor.

After interviewing six applicants during its final meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in Baton Rouge, the 15-member search team narrowed the list for the next SU System leader to the following three candidates who will be recommended to the SU Board of Supervisors:

Ray Belton, chancellor, Southern University Shreveport (SUSLA), a graduate of SUSLA and Southern University Baton Rouge. He has a master of arts in counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a doctor of philosophy in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

Barrett Hatches, president and CEO Chicago Family Heath Center, received his undergraduate degree in political science from Jackson State University, a M.A. in management from Webster University, and a Ph.D. in urban higher education from Jackson State University.

Ivory Toldson, deputy director, White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, DC, has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Louisiana State University, a M.Ed. in counselor education from The Pennsylvania State University, and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Temple University.

"We are pleased with the committee’s work and with the experience and quality of the candidates for the Southern University president/chancellor's position," said Albert Sam, M.D., chairman of the search committee.

"The future of this historic university system will be in accomplished hands with either of the finalists vetted through the process," Sam added.

The finalists will be invited to Southern University Baton Rouge Thursday, June 11 for interviews with faculty, staff, students, alumni and stakeholders.

The SU Board of Supervisors will interview the finalists during its regular meeting Friday, June 12.