Following a ten-month national search and Board of Regents approval in May, Dr. Laurence Alexander took the helm at the University of Michigan-Flint on July 1.
A recognized leader in higher education, Alexander served for 11 years as chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). He brings more than three decades of combined professional and academic experience as a university chancellor, professor, attorney and journalist. Prior to joining UAPB, Alexander served 22 years as a professor and administrator at the University of Florida, where he held key leadership roles, including provost administrative fellow in the Office of Academic Affairs, associate dean of the graduate school, director of the Office of Graduate Minority Programs, chair of the Department of Journalism, and Distinguished Teaching Scholar.
The Louisiana native received a bachelor’s degree in drama and communications from the University of New Orleans, a master’s degree in journalism and communications from the University of Florida, a Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University and a Ph.D. in higher education from Florida State University.
“I am pleased to become a part of one of the world’s greatest universities,” said Alexander. “I’ve been impressed by the people, existing programs, facilities and the solid foundation that’s been laid by previous leadership, and I can’t wait to build on those things with the experience I’ve gained throughout my career.”
For the first time in nearly a decade, UM-Flint recorded an increase in total fall enrollment last September with more than 6,100 students enrolled at the downtown campus, a gain of 2.4% from the previous year. Likewise, winter enrollment followed suit with an increase of more than 9% from the prior year.
Chancellor Alexander is excited about his new role, and we’re excited about sharing a few more bits of information about this new community leader. Is he a collector? What’s his favorite sport?
Read on to find out!
1. Tell us about your early work experience.
After high school, my first job was as a summer attendant for the New Orleans Recreation Department. However, my first full-time job after college was as a staff writer for The New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper, where I did mostly general assignment reporting.
While in college, I worked summers as an intern in my home state of Louisiana for a major oil and gas company and two newspapers, The Houma Courier and The Times-Picayune. Also, during my academic years in college, I was a part-time stock clerk for a grocery store chain and a cashier at a convenience store. During my later undergraduate years, I worked part-time making deliveries for a downtown rubber stamp company; did cleaning work in the housekeeping department for a major hotel chain; served as house manager for a theater in the French Quarter; and served as editor of the student newspaper during my senior year at The University of New Orleans.
2. Who influenced your career path the most?
I was blessed to have mentors and others in my life to whom I looked for guidance. My mother and grandmother influenced me through undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. The support I received from them was truly remarkable. I lived with my grandmother in college because she lived closest to the university. When I decided to attend law school, I moved back home with my mother to cut expenses.
During my senior year in college, I was the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. The newspaper’s adviser, David Womack, became a significant influence on my career path. He began his career by working at newspapers before obtaining a law degree and a Ph.D., then moving on to becoming a university professor and later an administrator. I followed that path and would only be where I am today, as chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint, with his outstanding guidance and mentorship.
3. If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I like a variety of things, so narrowing it down is difficult. So, I’ll go with a sampler platter featuring some of my New Orleans favorites: gumbo, etouffee, jambalaya and, of course, red beans and rice.
4. What is your favorite game or sport to watch or play?
I love to watch football, and in particular, college football. In my previous position as chancellor of The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, our football team, the Golden Lions, played in the very competitive Southwestern Athletic Conference, and I attended all of the home games. Before UAPB, I spent many fall afternoons in The Swamp, cheering on the Florida Gators as they won several Southeastern Conference and national championships. I enjoy the fun and excitement college athletics brings to an entire university community. When this fall arrives, I can’t tell you how excited I am to see a game at The Big House and experience the tradition of Wolverine football. Go Blue!
On Sundays, my football watching turns to my hometown team, the New Orleans Saints. Now that I’m in Michigan, I look forward to watching and cheering for the Detroit Lions! #OnePride
5. How would your friends describe you?
I would hope they would say I am personable and communicative. I have worked at establishing relationships across the community in government, corporations, education and many other areas that have led to collaborative partnerships for my universities and directly benefited students. Additionally, I believe friends would point to my optimistic nature. I believe that good ideas and innovative approaches are successful when there is a strong belief, determination, hard work and faith behind the efforts. My sense of humor is apparent to those around me for any length of time. I like to laugh and have fun; but that side may not always be evident because of how passionate I am about our work in higher education to achieve our missions of teaching and learning, researching and providing service to our community. I also feel that I am a caring and compassionate person who has the ability to show empathy. I think those closest to me would note all of those aspects of my personality.
6. Do you collect anything?
At one time, I had a growing collection of baseball caps and coffee mugs from cities that I had visited, but that seemed to lose steam at some point. At the moment, I have a growing collection of coins that have been given to me by various officials and agencies throughout my career. In fact, I still need to figure out how to best display them – thanks for the reminder!
7. What are you most excited about in your life right now?
I am very excited about my new role as chancellor of UM-Flint. I am honored by the appointment, and I’m very excited about the move to Flint and the chance to engage the community as we provide opportunities for students to obtain the education, development and work experience they need to succeed in the marketplace and the community.
