Tougaloo College president vows transparency amid leadership concerns
Tougaloo College President Corey Wiggins on Wednesday pledged transparency and called for collective work to strengthen the historically Black college as he addressed students, faculty, alumni and community members at his first convocation, Mississippi Today reported.
Wiggins, who took office July 1, 2026, reflected on his upbringing in Copiah County and on Tougaloo’s civil rights legacy during the Aug. 26 convocation. He recounted the college’s founding in 1869 and the 1961 sit-in by the Tougaloo Nine, and told the audience the institution’s mission is to “learn, lead and serve,” Mississippi Today reported. “You have to show up. You have to do the work. You have to be curious,” Wiggins told the crowd.
The remarks came as Wiggins inherits lingering concerns about campus leadership. In March 2025, the college’s faculty senate issued no-confidence votes for former President Donzell Lee, Provost Josiah Sampson III and Registrar Pam England, and the faculty senate previously voted no confidence in Sampson and England in May 2024, Mississippi Today reported. Students also voted no confidence in President Carmen Walters in 2022, the report said. Wiggins told Mississippi Today he could not speak to events before his arrival but said he has attended alumni events, faculty senate meetings and walked the campus with students to build “camaraderie.”
Meherun Laiju, vice chair of the faculty senate and a member of the presidential selection committee, said the committee believes it selected the right candidate and expects transparency from Wiggins. Laiju said Wiggins asked faculty to work with Pamela Foster, the college’s new provost and vice president of academic affairs, to address their concerns.
Students and trustees urged swift action on infrastructure, recruitment and finances. Senior Jalynn Sanders said students have felt unheard but noted Wiggins has reached out to student groups. Board of trustees chair Blondean Y. Davis said the college has faced too much change and that Wiggins has the “aggressiveness in terms of facilitating financial stability” the college needs. Michael J. Cleveland, vice chair of the Tougaloo College National Alumni Association board, said Wiggins must involve alumni, the community and faculty in shaping the college’s future and pledged accountability if progress stalls, Mississippi Today reported.
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