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Walter Kimbrough
President, Dillard University
Walter M. Kimbrough is a prominent figure in higher education, particularly known for his leadership roles at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). He served as the seventh president of Dillard University in New Orleans from 2012 to 2022. Prior to his tenure at Dillard, he was the president of Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, from 2004 to 2012.
Early Life and Education
- Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia
- Education: Kimbrough graduated as salutatorian from Benjamin Elijah Mays High School in 1985. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, a master's degree from Miami University in Ohio, and a Ph.D. in higher education from Georgia State University.248
Career Highlights
- Student Affairs: Kimbrough began his career in student affairs at institutions such as Emory University, Georgia State University, Old Dominion University, and Albany State University, where he became Vice President for Student Affairs at the age of 32.248
- Presidential Roles:
- Expertise: Dr. Kimbrough is recognized for his research on HBCUs and African American men in college. He is also an expert on fraternities and sororities, particularly historically Black groups, and has written the book Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities.48
Achievements and Recognition
- Awards and Honors: He has been named to the Ebony Magazine Power 100 list, NBC News/TheGriot.com's 100 African Americans making history today, and was the 2014 HBCU Digest male President of the Year.45
- Social Media Leadership: Known for his active use of social media, he was recognized as one of the most interesting college presidents and one of the top college presidents to follow on Twitter.45
Current Role
After leaving Dillard University, Dr. Kimbrough joined the University of Southern California's Race and Equity Center.9 As of June 2024, he was named the interim president of Talladega College.7 His LinkedIn username is indeed walterkimbrough, where he shares insights on HBCUs and higher education.36
