SUS Board names seventh SU Shreveport chancellor

The Southern University System (SUS) Board of Supervisors today named Rodney Ellis to become the seventh chancellor of Southern University Shreveport (SUSLA).

Ellis was one of three finalists selected by a 14-member search committee chaired by Willie C. White III, chief executive officer, David Raines Community Health Centers, to replace the previous chancellor Ray L. Belton who was named SU System President-Chancellor last June.

"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Ellis who is a distinguished educator and administrator to the Southern University System family. His professional experience and knowledge along with his commitment to student achievement will align nicely with our mission and goals for our Shreveport campus," said Belton.

SU Board of Supervisors Chairman Leon R. Tarver II offered congratulations as well to the chancellor-elect who will lead the SU System’s Shreveport campus.

"This Board has taken a great deal of effort in its deliberations in selecting a chancellor for the SUSLA campus. The search committee did an excellent job in recommending three very capable candidates to interview. We look forward to Dr. Ellis bringing his expertise and energy in leading our Shreveport campus," said Tarver.

Ellis, a higher-education consultant, is the former chancellor of Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC). Ellis previously served as executive vice president at Atlanta Technical College in Atlanta, Georgia. Ellis worked at Atlanta Technical College for nearly 13 years where he also served as vice president of IT, planning and development and director of institutional development. Prior to his service at Atlanta Technical College, Ellis served as institutional effectiveness specialist at the Technical College System of Georgia and senior research specialist at the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation.

Ellis earned his doctorate in higher education administration, with a specialization in community and technical college leadership, from the University of Georgia; a master of science in judicial administration from Auburn University at Montgomery; and a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Alabama.

He has served on the Board of Directors for the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, Re-Entry Solutions, and the Rapides Parish Workforce Investment Board. He has also been an active member of the Rotary Club of Alexandria, getting recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He previously served as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta, the Atlanta Tech Civitan Club, the Atlanta Airport Chamber of Commerce, and the Atlanta Business League. He was also a member of the Atlanta Media and Film Community Jobs Task Force, the Atlanta Emerald Cities Green Jobs Task Force, and the Atlanta Beltline Employment Working Group.

"I am very excited and humbled for this honor. I look forward to leading the Southern University Shreveport campus and thank Board Chairman Leon Tarver, all Board members, and President-Chancellor Ray Belton for this wonderful opportunity," said Ellis.