New President Starts At ASU

by WAKA Action 8 News

It’s a new day at Alabama State University. After more than a year of controversy, allegations and change, there’s a new woman in charge on campus. 

Gwendolyn Boyd, ASU’s new president, was excited to greet the faculty and students, and says she’s ready for the challenges ahead.

It was her first walk on campus as president of the university, and Boyd was very excited to start her new job. But it’s not just Boyd. Students we spoke with say they are glad to finally have a president taking charge. 

“I’m actually curious to meet and see her and see what she can say about the school. I believe for an institution like this to trust her and bring her in as new president, they must see something great in her to move the school forward,” said ASU student Promise Owei.

Boyd got the job back in December, beating out current state senator Quinton Ross and retired Brig. Gen. Samuel Nichols. 

She says that even with all of the issues, like the state’s audit which found mismanagement of funds, her focus will be on the students.

“We know they’re going to be great citizens of Alabama and where ever else they come from, we want to prepare them here to be great citizens of the world. So scholastic achievement will be paramount as we move forward,” said Boyd.

And some of those students are already impressed with her resume and are looking forward to what she could bring to campus.

“I pretty much like that she’s from John Hopkins and she’s real big on engineering for women and she wants to see the women succeed in getting degrees. Therefore I’d like to see the engineering program come here,” said student Eric Knox.

But Boyd is also looking to those in the community to help her right the ship at ASU.

“I look forward to engaging you and the community because it is a community effort. We can’t isolate ourselves on this campus. But we need to be a part of the greater community as we elevate these young people and get them ready to go into the greater world,” said Boyd. 

LL TAG

Boyd will be around for at least a couple years. Her contract was recently approved for two years with an annual salary of 300 thousand dollars.