Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo Dr. Allen Sessoms

After more than a year, UDC's presidential search finally drew to a conclusion when the UDC Board of Trustees announced that Dr. Allen Sessoms will be the next president of the University of the District of Columbia.
Dr. Sessoms, who most recently served as president of Delaware State University, will take the helm at UDC beginning on Sept 1. Some of his accomplishments during his five year tenure at DSU include doubling the endowment in two years, increasing enrollment 20 percent, and inaugurating doctoral programs in neuroscience, applied optics and applied chemistry, as well as establishing the College of Health and Public Policy.
Dr. Sessoms plans to hit the ground running having already called a news conference to announce some of his major priorities for UDC. At the top of his list were seeking budgetary independence from the city government, fundraising, facility expansion and repair, and creating an independent community college on the Van Ness campus, and the building of the much delayed student center.
Sessoms hails from the Bronx in New York City where he overcame his upbringing in a "rough and tumble" neighborhood to receive four degrees in physics including a masters and a doctorate from Yale University.
The selection of Sessoms appears to be a coup for UDC and the Board of Trustees. He has years of higher education experience having once taught at Harvard. He followed his tenure there with a stint in the State Department prompted by his desire to "save the world." Eventually he returned to higher education where over the last 13 years he's presided over two Universities; Queens College of the CUNY system and Delaware State.
In an interview with Trilogy staff, Sessoms appeared to be knowledgeable about some of the unique challenges facing UDC. "The first thing we've got to do is make people recognize that UDC has got to be an independent source."
Elaborating further, he said, "It's a state university. It's the only public institution of higher education in the District. It has to be recognized as that".
He also appeared to be attuned to the needs of the student body when saying, "We need to fix up the campus and acquire funds to do so and we have to build a student union. Those are my four highest priorities. They're going to take some time, but we have to get the ball rolling on every single one of those goals. My first 100 days will be devoted to those things and building a plan for the future."
Acting President Stanley Jackson received high praise from the Board of Trustees for his leadership over the past year, particularly for his handling of the Universitys' finances. With that in mind Dr. Sessoms has asked Acting UDC President Stan Jackson to remain part of the University team by assuming the role of Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance.
Dr. Sessoms will formally be introduced to the students, administration, and faculty on Sept. 9.

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