James W. Crawford III, a retired vice admiral and former head of Felician University, has been officially named the next president of Texas Southern University (TSU), a historically Black institution that's been on the hunt for leadership capable of ushering in a fresh chapter of stability and advancement. Having completed his tenure in the U.S. Navy as the judge advocate general, Crawford now takes the helm at an institution whose recent history has been riddled with leadership turnovers and contentious issues.
After a thorough search process that spanned over a year, the TSU Board of Regents settled on Crawford as the sole finalist in April, with the selection becoming final at the close of a mandatory 21-day public comment period, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. The vice admiral's military record is notable for its breadth; he advised two U.S. presidents and served as legal counsel at the highest levels of the Department of Defense and NATO. This decorated service, however, concluded amid allegations – as Houston Chronicle states - that Crawford attempted to interfere in the military judicial process, a chapter of his career that has drawn scrutiny from parts of the TSU community.
Coming from his post as president at Felician University in New Jersey, where he oversaw expansion and innovation during his tenure, Crawford brings with him a track record of growth and development in the higher education sector. Felician University witnessed an increase in enrollment under his leadership, particularly during the challenging pandemic period, according to details shared by the Black Catholic Messenger. His breadth of experience in management and legal advisory roles, though interpreted differently by various community members, is viewed by the TSU Board as a strong foundation for his new role at the helm of the university.
Amid a landscape of heightened interest in historically Black colleges and universities (HCBUs), Crawford steps into the presidency during a pivotal time for TSU, which has seen significant increases in applications and enrollments – a surge partially attributed to the growing narrative about Black higher education and TSU's own pull factors, such as the successful graduation of high-profile personalities like Megan Thee Stallion. Yet Crawford also inherits challenges left in the wake of previous administrations, included an enrollment-related admissions scandal and ongoing efforts to raise TSU's profile in research and academia, the Houston Chronicle conveyed.
As he steps onto the campus with nearly four times the enrolment of his last academic posting, Crawford is expected to contribute immediately to the elevation of academic standards, while addressing community concerns about previous leadership. TSU Board Vice Chair, James Benham told the Black Catholic Messenger, “If you look at James Crawford’s accomplishments, leadership, and track record for success both from serving his country and in higher education, we are confident he embodies the ideal set of qualities we all strived to fulfill with this search.” TSU anticipates that Crawford's commitment to service and leadership experience will be instrumental in fostering academic excellence and strengthening the university's infrastructure and community ties, guiding TSU through its new era.
