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During the annual Faculty-Staff Institute at Tennessee State University, President Glenda Glover revealed her intention to retire at the end of the spring semester in 2024.
President Glover, an alumna of TSU's class of 1974 and an accomplished professional in both higher education and the corporate sector, first shared her plans with the campus community before making a public announcement. (Photo credit: TSU News, featuring President Glenda Glover alongside college deans, board of trustee members, and faculty).
She stated that after almost 11 years of achieving nearly every goal and objective she set for herself and TSU, she would retire as the institution's leader. President Glover's decision was not made lightly, and she believes that her voice is now needed on a more national platform.
During her tenure as president, Glover achieved many significant milestones and accomplishments for TSU. She led the university into the R2-high research category, making it one of only 11 HBCUs to achieve this status, and expanded internships and permanent placement opportunities for students.
She established new degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels and more than doubled TSU's endowments from $45 million to over $100 million.
Additionally, President Glover significantly increased grant funding and established TSU as a national leader among higher education institutions.
She implemented a plan to move TSU from R2 to the R1 research category and established the first national technology and innovation center at an HBCU. She also oversaw record corporate partnerships and million-dollar donations and led TSU through the COVID pandemic, tornado recovery, and other crises.
Her comprehensive campus safety plan, including fencing installation, contributed to a safer campus environment. Furthermore, she helped TSU achieve numerous athletic victories, including the largest freshmen enrollment among HBCUs in Fall 2022 and the 2022 OVC Volleyball Championship.
SGA President Derrell Taylor expressed disappointment at President Glover's retirement but acknowledged her great accomplishments. He appreciated her leadership in helping TSU compete globally and believed she would make the transition as smooth as possible to benefit students.
President Glover thanked students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community leaders for their support during her presidency. She affirmed her commitment to advancing educational opportunities and promoting fairness, equity, and justice for African Americans and people of color, women, and those often left behind.
Shaun Wimberly, the student representative to the TSU Board Trustees, praised Glover's leadership and focused on helping others. President Glover's accomplishments are a source of pride for TSU alumni, who admire her tenacity and grace under pressure.