Alpha Phi Alpha’s Dr. Maurice D. Gipson Appointed 15th President of Philander Smith University

Philander Smith University has officially named Dr. Maurice D. Gipson, a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., as its 15th President and Chief Executive Officer. The announcement came during a Thursday afternoon press conference on the Little Rock campus, marking a new chapter of leadership for the historic HBCU.

Dr. Gipson, who had been serving as interim president since August 2024, was chosen after a national search and a careful selection process. The Board of Trustees cited his proven leadership, strategic vision, and deep connection to the University’s mission as key reasons for his appointment.

“He brings not only the experience and strategic insight needed for this moment, but also a heartfelt understanding of what makes Philander Smith University so special,” said Board Chair Dr. Tionna Jenkins, a 2001 alumna of the institution.

This is not Dr. Gipson’s first chapter with Philander Smith. He previously served four years on the Board of Trustees, including roles as Chair of the Governance Committee and Vice Chairman. His higher education career spans more than a decade, with senior leadership roles at the University of Missouri, Arkansas State University, and the University of Texas at Austin, as well as experience at Wiley College and Huston-Tillotson University.

An accomplished scholar and licensed attorney, Dr. Gipson’s expertise centers on African American history, Black nationalism, and the Black freedom struggle. He has presented internationally, including at the Black Power Conference in Frankfurt, Germany, and is currently authoring a book on the Black Freedom Struggle in Arkansas.

A native of Ferriday, Louisiana, Dr. Gipson is an LSU graduate, holding a J.D. from Southern University Law Center with a civil rights emphasis, a master’s in history from Missouri State University, and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Mississippi.

In addition to his academic and professional accomplishments, Dr. Gipson’s ties to the local community run deep. His wife, Jasmine, is a Little Rock native, and his mother-in-law, Linda Lyons Medley, is a proud Philander Smith alumna from the Class of 1973.

Beyond academia, Dr. Gipson has served Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. with distinction—as the Southwest Region’s 22nd Regional Vice President and the 49th Assistant Regional Vice President, continuing the fraternity’s legacy of leadership, scholarship, and service.

“Philander Smith University has long been a place where transformation takes root—for students, for families, and for communities,” Dr. Gipson said. “As someone who has served as a trustee, a faculty member, and now as president, I am committed to ensuring that our momentum continues and that our mission is amplified.”