Meet The Next President of CSU!

Meet The Next President of CSU!

The Board of Trustees at Chicago State University announced during a special board meeting on Thursday that Dr. Thomas J. Calhoun has been unanimously chosen to be the next President of the University. Dr. Calhoun will succeed current CSU President Wayne D. Watson, who announced his intention to retire last January.

Calhoun brings decades of experience in education to his new position. Prior to coming to CSU, he served as Vice President of Enrollment Management at North Alabama University. He was chosen as a finalist by a 22-member search committee which included members of the university faculty, staff, administration, students, alumni and community members. Calhoun visited CSU in September for multiple meetings and interviews with various constituencies where he was universally well-received.

As President, Calhoun will oversee the operations of CSU’s five distinguished colleges serving a diverse body of roughly 4,800 students. He assumes control of the University at a time that features both unique challenges and a promising future. Calhoun says his initial focus will be on enrollment, retention and graduation efforts as well as maximizing outside revenue:

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"I am honored to join the Chicago State University family as the next president of the university.  While there are many significant challenges facing public higher education, CSU is in an excellent position to take advantage of wonderful opportunities to grow and prosper.  I very much look forward to working with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends to ensure that CSU continues its long and proud tradition of providing outstanding educational opportunities for the citizens of Chicagoland and beyond."

Early in his career, Calhoun was a laboratory technician in the Biology Department at Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, where he taught experimental laboratory methods in molecular biology. He subsequently directed a science and technology program at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. In Chicago, IL he served as the founding principal of North Lawndale College Preparatory Charter High School, principal at Hales Franciscan High School, and headmaster at St. Gregory Episcopal School. Additionally, he worked for several years in the Chicago Public Schools’ Department of Research, Evaluation and Planning.

Dr. Calhoun holds a bachelor’s degrees from Tuskegee University in Philosophy and Biology, the Master of Science degree in Biology from Clark Atlanta University, the Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from the University of Chicago, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington.