Among the numerous African-American “firsts” who symbolize racial progress in their fields, Dr. Alfred Rankins is likely to stand out. Last week, Rankins was appointed commissioner of higher education in Mississippi, a state that has a notorious history of resisting racial integration in its educational institutions.
As the first African-American to oversee the state’s eight public universities, Rankins brings to the position years of experience at all levels of academia within the state as a student, faculty member, president of two institutions and deputy commissioner.
The trustees had the option to search nationally for candidates, but with an internal prospect as “uniquely qualified” as Rankins, the choice was clear, said board president C.D. Smith.
“When you’ve got someone that’s ready to go internally, it just makes sense to go forward,” Smith said in a statement from the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL).
Rankins told Diverse that because of his experiences, he understands “how the policies being implemented at the system level can be applied practically on our campuses.”
He also is aware of the daunting challenges facing the eight institutions, which include three historically Black universities, as a result of stiff budget cuts passed by the legislature.
“I think the challenge for all universities will be funding because all universities will have to find ways to fill the gap when state support is flat or down,” said Rankins, who takes over as Commissioner July 1.
