by Angela Mills

The Tennessee State University Board of Trustees has appointed alumnus Dwayne Tucker as the institution’s ninth president. The decision was made during a special board meeting on August 5.

Board Chair Dakasha Winton praised Tucker’s leadership during his tenure as interim president, a role he has held since December 2024.

“His leadership through continued uncertainty and turbulent times with dignity, grace under fire, and a strong resolve to put students first made him the obvious choice,” Winton said.

Tucker expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the TSU community.

“I thank the Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff, and our alumni for their support as we continue this journey,” he said. “My focus remains on putting TSU on a path to sustainability. With the help of our state legislators, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the Tennessee Board of Regents, and other supporters, we will extend the legacy of TSU.”

Before serving as interim president, Tucker was CEO of LEAD Public Schools, a network of public charter schools in the Nashville area. He brings extensive leadership experience from the corporate sector, having held senior roles including CEO, chief human resource officer, chief administrative officer, and president with companies such as First Data, Northwest Airlines, and Alliance Data.

Tucker’s background includes expertise in business turnaround efforts and a broad range of corporate functions, including sales, operations, marketing, public relations, information technology, legal affairs, human resources, and finance.