I write today to update you on my plans as I complete my fifth year as your president.
When I agreed to join Prairie View A&M University in July of 2017, I anticipated a brief stint at the helm, allowing the University to transition to new leadership following the departure of President George Wright. That brief stint evolved into a period of sustained effort to address issues that threatened the health and stature of this great University. That is what PV is above all – a university. Among all the wonderful things we do and the opportunities we afford, the aspect of our identity that will always count most is how much we excel in teaching, learning, scholarship and research. When we falter or fail in any one of those areas, we jeopardize the future of the University and the value of a PV degree.
For that reason, I argued early on that three elements were of overriding importance and in need of concentrated attention: the state of the faculty, financial support for our students and the financial security of the University. I am pleased to say that while we have not made anywhere near the progress I had hoped for, there have nevertheless been quite substantial gains in all of these categories. Among those that are the most meaningful are the following:
-Support of Faculty. We have reduced the faculty teaching load, greatly expanded faculty development resources, opened the tenure track ranks to qualified non-tenure-track faculty, increased the financial reward for advancement to associate and full professor and otherwise begun to create an environment that promotes high scholarly performance and builds an attractive environment for faculty recruitment.
-Student Financial Support. We have added substantially to our scholarship endowments and our fundraising for student support.
-Financial Well-Being. We have improved our financial well-being, growing the endowment by 40% thanks to the MacKenzie Scott gift and our decision to invest a substantial portion of that gift in the endowment.
-Fundraising. Our overall fundraising has seen a dramatic increase in virtually all areas, including the Annual Fund, major gifts, and, especially, corporate and foundation giving.
-Academic Programs. We have established important new degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
-Accreditation. We have secured SACSCOC Reaffirmation of Accreditation with no comments, and accreditation or reaccreditation has been achieved by every program under review.
-New Partnerships. We have opened major new partnerships that enable the expansion of research, internships and scholarships.
-National and International Visibility. We have increased PV’s visibility in higher education.
-Reorganization. We have reorganized some administrative areas to increase responsiveness and efficiency.
-Physical Resources. We have addressed physical plant issues and launched building projects in a number of areas. Significant investments in technology and other critical areas have occurred.
-Research. We have seen our research standing acknowledged by the designation of PV as one of only 11 HBCU Carnegie 2 (“high research activity”) universities.
Even as I reflect on these and other changes, I am humbled by how much remains to be done. Prairie View A&M is nowhere near what it could ultimately achieve as an institution of the first class. Our students deserve more, and we must provide it for them. As we undergo our strategic planning, it is evident to me that a new leader must assume responsibility for advancing the University to a new level of excellence in student outcomes, faculty achievement and research output.
As a consequence, I have informed Chancellor John Sharp of the Texas A&M University System that I wish to step down from my role as president in a manner that facilitates the continued forward momentum of the University. I will remain in place, if he desires, until my successor is chosen.
This is a very difficult and surprisingly emotional decision for me. Surprising because I have twice previously served as a president and therefore twice previously stepped down from such a role. But this is different. When I took on this challenge, I did not know that the country would experience social and political upheaval unlike any I had seen in my previous leadership roles. I did not know that a historic flood would affect the community so grievously. I did not anticipate a pandemic that would upend the way we work and experience the educational environment. I did not imagine that I would feel so grateful to be able to lead PV through this series of challenges and that PV would emerge stronger after such a perilous period, gaining in resources and reputation. I am therefore grateful. Grateful to our students for their resilience and ambition. Grateful to the faculty and staff for their resourcefulness and dedication. Grateful to our alumni and many supporters who came forward to help us address the challenges we faced. Grateful to Chancellor Sharp, the Board of Regents and the A&M System for their unstinting efforts on behalf of Prairie View.
Be assured that while I will step down from the presidency, my work for Prairie View A&M will not cease. Many supporters from around the country have initiated programs and offered support to the University, and I must assure them not only of my unwavering gratitude but also of my continued dedication to fulfilling the promises made to them when they elected to partner with and support the University.
Over the coming weeks, you will hear more about the Chancellor’s plans for identifying a president for the University. Until then, I remain 100% committed to this amazing institution that has, throughout the decades since its founding, kept the dream of equality, justice and opportunity alive for so many. I am proud of that legacy. It is one that I honor, and it is one that I will always continue to serve.
In Gratitude,
Ruth J. Simmons
President