Board of Regents to name TSU president next fall

The Tennessee Board of Regents plans to name a new Tennessee State University president sometime next fall.

“We don’t have a definitive timeline, just next fall,” said TBR Communications Director Monica Greppin-Watts.

The TBR will wrap up the ongoing search for a president at East Tennessee State University in the next few months, then shift focus to TSU in the spring. TSU interim president Dr. Portia Shields [1]’ contract goes through June 30, 2012, but can be extended as needed.

“We’re keeping it flexible, so even if we have a president named, it depends on when that president can start work,” Greppin-Watts said.

As part of Shields’ contract, she will not be considered a candidate for the presidency.

TSU has been dealing with financial struggles and sluggish graduation rates among other issues.

In December 2010, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools issued a warning to TSU, and delayed its 10-year re-accreditation for a year.