W&M alumnus named president of Mississippi Valley State University

William & Mary alumnus Dr. Jerryl Briggs Ed.S. '95, Ed.D '10 was recently named the eighth president of Mississippi Valley State University, according to a press release.

Briggs previously served as executive vice president and chief operating officer. During his time at Mississippi Valley, Briggs has helped increase the retention and overall university enrollment rate while also managing a $17 million renovation, according to the release. Established in 1950, Mississippi Valley is a History Black University (HBCU) located near Itta Bena, Miss.

Briggs has had an extensive 25-year career in higher education administration. Prior to his current position, he served as the vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at Central State University in Ohio. He also held a variety of other positions, including spending 10 years at Lincoln University as the vice president of student affairs and enrollment as well as dean of students.

Before attending William & Mary, Briggs received a B.S. in chemistry education from Xavier University and a M.A. in human relations and supervision from Louisiana Tech.