Morris Brown College President Kevin E. James was fired by the school board on Monday, a move James called “deeply concerning.”
“Dr. James has played a meaningful role in guiding the institution through a critical period of growth, resilience and transformation,” the college said in a statement Monday.
The former president wrote on Facebook that the board fired him without “specific reasons or substantive explanation.” James has led the academy since 2019.
“This action is deeply concerning,” James wrote. “The timing of this decision is particularly troubling as the agency is due to conduct its accreditation reaffirmation review in a few weeks.”
James took over the role in 2019 amid uncertainty about the future of the Atlanta academy. In 2002, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools revoked Morris Brown’s accreditation after a former president and a financial aid director embezzled funds.
Under James’ leadership, the college regained accreditation in 2022 by the Virginia Association of Transnational Christian Colleges and Schools.
A spokesman for Maurice Brown directed all questions about James’ termination to Monday’s statement. James did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.
James said in a Facebook post that during his tenure, he helped Morris Brown become the first HBCU to regain accreditation after 20 years. He said he also helped increase enrollment — from 20 students in 2017 to more than 500 students now.
James said the college currently has more than 540 students.
James told The Edu Ledger in 2022 that before the college lost accreditation, peak enrollment was about 2,700 students.
During James’ tenure, the college received $2.9 million in federal funding to fund course offerings and 2023 building renovations.
The school said board trustee Nzinga Shaw will serve as interim principal. According to her LinkedIn profile, Shaw has worked in human resources and as a diversity and inclusion officer for companies including Starbucks and the Atlanta Hawks.
Morris Brown becomes the latest HBCU to suddenly part ways with its chief administrative officer; Jackson State University and Howard University have changed presidents in the past year.
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