Elmira Mangum

Elmira Magnum, Ph.D., has served at the executive level of nationally recognized organizations of higher learning for more than 30 years. Currently completing a sabbatical with Washington University in St. Louis as a distinguished scholar-in-residence, she is working on a manuscript and case studies to inform the preparation of future leaders in higher education. She previously served as a visiting scholar at the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions and the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

Making history as the first permanent female president in the University’s 130-year legacy, Dr. Magnum was the 11th president of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). Under her leadership, the University achieved many milestones, including creating a student-success center and graduating the most students ever in a single year as a result of the focus on retention and on-time graduation. Over the course of Dr. Mangum’s tenure, FAMU was recognized as a leading higher education institution by Essence, Money, The Wall Street Journal, and Times Higher Education.