SU Ag Center Search Committee announces finalists

A Southern University System Board of Supervisors’ Chancellor Search Committee, charged with assisting the SU System with selecting a new chancellor/dean for the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center (SU Ag Center)/College of Agriculture, announces finalists for the position.

The committee, chaired by Kirkland Mellad, vice chancellor for research, emeritus, SU Ag Center, and former dean for the College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, SU Baton Rouge, selected the following candidates as finalists:

Adell Brown Jr., interim chancellor, Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, earned a bachelor of science in agricultural business, a MBA from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now UL Lafayette), and a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from LSU.

Ivory W. Lyles, dean and director of land-grant programs, Alcorn State University, earned a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, a master of science from Mississippi State University, and bachelor of science from Alcorn.

Bobby R. Phills, retired director, Small Fruit Research and Integrated Pest Management Program, Florida A&M University (FAMU) and former dean and director, College of Engineering Sciences, Technology and Agriculture, FAMU, and former dean, and research director, College of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, SUBR, earned a bachelor of science from Southern University, a master of science and a Ph.D. in agricultural sciences from LSU.

The Board of Supervisors will interview the three finalists during its August meeting, August 26, at Southern University Shreveport. The new chancellor will replace Leodrey Williams, who retired June, 2015 after more than 40 years of service, and as chancellor since the SU Ag Center campus was established in 2001.