Dr. Corey Wiggins has been chosen as the 15th president of Tougaloo College. He will begin his new role on July 1, taking over from Donzell Lee.
His selection followed a nationwide search that included input from students, staff, alumni, and community members.
Wiggins is not only an academic. He is also a policy leader who has worked at high levels of government and development work. He currently serves at the Delta Regional Authority, where he helps guide projects that support jobs, roads, and small businesses across parts of the southern United States.
Before this, he led work with the NAACP in Mississippi, where he pushed for more public participation and changes in the justice system. He also helped grow the group’s funding and volunteer base.
Leaders of the college say his mix of experience is what made him stand out.
“Dr. Corey Wiggins is a visionary leader whose commitment to academic excellence, student success, and institutional integrity aligns deeply with the historic mission of Tougaloo College,” said Blondean Y. Davis.
Wiggins has also spent time teaching at several universities, sharing knowledge on health policy and how social conditions affect people’s lives.
He was born in Mississippi and studied biology at Alcorn State University before moving on to earn higher degrees in public health.
Tougaloo College, founded in 1869, is known for its role in the fight for civil rights in America. The school once served as a safe meeting place for activists during a time of deep racial division.
Now, the school is turning to a leader with strong links to both policy and community work.
Wiggins said he is ready for the task ahead.
“It is an honor to be selected as the next president of Tougaloo College, an institution with a profound legacy of academic excellence and social transformation,” he said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader Tougaloo community to advance the College’s mission and strengthen its future.”
By: Paisley Rae Thompson