Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, distinguished educator, business leader, and advocate for equity, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of EMILYs List, a national organization dedicated to electing women to public office and expanding opportunities for diverse leadership. Dr. Glover was selected because of her distinguished leadership in political and civic engagement, her unwavering commitment to academic excellence, and the transformative role she played in advancing opportunities for students and institutions alike.
Dr. Glover served as the eighth president of Tennessee State University (2013–2024), becoming the institution’s first female president. Under her leadership, TSU achieved record enrollment growth, expanded academic programs, and secured historic levels of federal and philanthropic funding. She also oversaw a dramatic expansion of the university’s endowment, which more than doubled from $45 million to over $110 million, placing TSU among the select group of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) with endowments exceeding $100 million. At the same time, she guided TSU’s advancement in research stature, moving the university from an R3 Carnegie classification to R2 and positioning it on a trajectory toward R1 status, the highest level of research activity recognized by the Carnegie Foundation.
These milestones, combined with her commitment to strengthening STEM education and elevating TSU’s national profile, cemented her legacy as one of the most transformative leaders not only in the university’s history but also among HBCUs nationwide, where she is widely respected as a voice of vision and influence in the broader higher education community.
Her professional credentials are equally groundbreaking. Dr. Glover is one of only a handful of African American women in the United States to hold the Ph.D., CPA, and JD combination, a testament to her interdisciplinary expertise in business, law, and academia. She currently serves on boards of directors of publicly traded companies, including a $50 billion multinational financial institution, where she contributes her expertise in governance, accountability, and strategic growth.
In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Glover was appointed by President Joe Biden as Vice Chair of the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, where she helped shape federal policy to strengthen HBCUs nationwide. She is also a past international president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, leading the organization’s global initiatives in education, women’s health, and economic empowerment. Her career has also been defined by her commitment to social justice, with a particular emphasis on higher educational equity and voter education.
“Joining the EMILYs List Board of Directors is both an honor and a responsibility,” said Dr. Glover. “I deeply appreciate the opportunity to help expand pathways for more African American women to be elected to public office and to serve in positions of leadership. As a champion for historically black colleges and universities, I see this role as an opportunity to amplify the voices of HBCUs on the national stage, and ensure their unique needs are represented in conversations about equity and opportunity. I also hope to expand the social justice lens of the board, drawing on my experience in higher education to advance equity and voter education. Representation matters, and EMILYs List has been at the forefront of ensuring that women’s voices are heard in every level of government.”
Dr. Glover’s appointment also highlights her national role in Democratic politics. She played a major role in the Biden–Harris presidential campaign in 2020, helping to mobilize communities and strengthen outreach efforts nationwide. In 2024, she served as one of the national coordinators for the Harris campaign, bringing her organizational expertise and trusted leadership to the forefront of a historic election effort. Dr. Glover continues to remain a confidant to former Vice President Harris, underscoring her influence and standing within national political circles.
Her background in higher education, finance, civic engagement, and political leadership will strengthen EMILYs List’s ability to connect with communities across the country and inspire the next generation of women leaders.
Founded in 1985, EMILYs List has helped elect thousands of women to office by building early financial support networks and mobilizing grassroots donors. The organization continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape by ensuring women candidates have the resources and credibility to win.
