The Southern University System board of supervisors has named John K. Pierre as the chancellor of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge.
The historically Black university enrolls about 8,500 undergraduate students and more than 1,700 graduate students. African Americans make up 93 percent of the undergraduate student body.
“As a higher education advocate, I am honored that the board of supervisors and search committee are confident in my ability to champion and lead the Southern University and A&M University College,” said Pierre.
Since 1990, Pierre has served in faculty and administrative roles at Southern University Law Center. Since 2016, he has been chancellor of the Southern University Law Center and was named interim executive vice president of the Southern University System in 2023.
“I am committed to advancing the university’s mission and fostering partnerships that will position our students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni to serve as transformational change agents.”
Before joining academia, from 1986 to 1990, Pierre served his country as a Judge Advocates General Corps Officer (JAG) for the United States Army. In addition, Pierre was involved in the Baton Rouge school desegregation case as co-counsel for the Baton Rouge Branch of the NAACP in Davis v. East Baton Rouge Parish School Board. He was also co-counsel in the landmark case of McWaters v. FEMA.
Pierre consistently inspires legal professionals and thought leaders around the globe. He has earned numerous awards for his leadership, innovative strategy, and tireless efforts within the legal and professional realm, including Educator of the Year from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Top 10 Most Dominant HBCU Leaders from The HBCU Campaign Fund.
Hampton University, the Baton Rouge Bar Association, and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus are just a few of the organizations that have honored Pierre throughout his career.
Also, his alma mater, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, has named him a Distinguished Alumni. Pierre has served as a contributing panelist during national discussions with the Peggy Browning Fund, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the National Pre-Law Summit, and more.
Pierre received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern University in 1980, a master’s degree in tax accounting from Texas Tech University in 1982, and a juris doctorate from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 1985.