Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune)-Tennessee State University alumnus and board member Dwayne Tucker has been appointed interim president of the university after a board of trustees vote today.
“It’s my pleasure to accept appointment of interim president for our beloved Tennessee State University,” Tucker says. “I also want to thank our board of trustees for their confidence in me as well as the bigger big blue community in terms of their support and unwavering courage for me to take this job.”
He plans to begin the role on Monday.
Tucker earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management at Tennessee State University in 1980.
He has over thirty years of leadership experience directing Human Resources and P&L responsibilities in small entrepreneurial and Fortune 500 companies. He also has significant experience in establishing Board of Director and Compensation Committee
strategy, governance, and compliance related programs.
Tucker started his employment career in Human Resources in 1972 at UPS where he received his first management promotion at the age of 17. He served as CEO at TMT
Entertainment in 1984 until he joined First Data Corporation. In 1999, he worked for Alliance Data Systems in Dallas, TX until his retirement. However, after a year hiatus, he began his employment with Compass Executives as Senior Advisor. Compass Executive is an organization of C-Level Executives who provide management consulting, interim management and leadership development.
Tucker is not taking any salary for this new position as interim president of TSU which the board says this shows his commitment and dedication to the university.
The appoint comes following the news last week that TSU interim President Ronald Johnson resigned as tensions over the school’s finances remain high. The development is the latest in a rapid-fire series of leadership changes at TSU. Johnson took office on July 1 after the TSU board of trustees appointed him to a one-year term. His appointment came after years of scrutiny over the school’s finances and leadership by state leaders. Lawmakers ultimately ousted the previous board in March. Gov. Bill Lee swiftly appointed a new board, which took its seats in April. Longtime President Glenda Glover then retired in June — a move she said lawmakers also encouraged.
