On Tuesday, June 4, in a written correspondence to the Talladega College Board of Trustees, Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, 21st president of Talladega College, voluntarily resigned and plans to return to the practice of law. The Board accepted Dr. Vincent’s resignation. On June 5, 2024, the Board named Dr. Edward L. Hill, Jr., the college’s current vice provost for Lifelong Learning and Professional Development and Dean of Graduate Studies, as interim president on a short-term basis. “We are confident in the college’s ability to remain strong and stable during this transitional period,” says Rica Lewis-Payton, Board of Trustees chair.
No timeline has been established yet for hiring the college’s next president. The Board, in close collaboration with Dr. Hill and the administration, is dedicated to ensuring the college remains steadfast on the institution’s primary objectives, which include financial integrity and stability, student enrollment and retention, institutional advancement and fundraising, and academic excellence and accreditation.
“We are unified in our commitment to the college, the students we educate, the faculty and staff we employ, and the alumni and supporters who advocate on our behalf,” added Lewis-Payton. “We look forward to stewarding this new path with the administration, together.”
The Board of Trustees will continue to provide additional information on the college’s next steps as it becomes available. For more information, please contact Natasha Rogers, public relations officer, Talladega College Board of Trustees, at 205-643-2121 or natasha@twelve21team.com.
Dr. Edward Louis Hill Jr.
Dr. Edward Louis Hill Jr. serves as Associate Provost and Dean of Life Long and Professional Development at Talladega College. He has previously served as the Dean of the College of Education and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at Texas A&M University-Central Texas and Fort Valley State University.
An accomplished administrator, scholar, and teacher, Dr. Edward Hill brings to the provostship a deep-rooted commitment to academic excellence, student success, access and inclusion, and a keen awareness of how to create effective cross-divisional collaborations between academic affairs and student affairs that will positively impact the lives of students and change society. He has developed and executed a five-year strategic plan that focused on: Quality and Distinctiveness of Student Success, Academic Reputation, Flagship Programs and Community Outreach, and
Technology for 21st century University. Dr. Hill has a long administrative career in both K-12 and higher education. During his career, he has served as an administrator in both public and private universities, overseeing professional programs and liberal arts in environments serving undergraduates, graduates, traditional and non-traditional students. He has worked with active- duty military and veteran students. He has previously served as coordinator of a Troops to Teachers Initiative.
Dr. Hill was appointed to the President’s Diversity Commission for the University of Georgia System and worked with many universities and colleges within the system to develop diversity programing and policies to support student growth and awareness and faculty professional development. Dr. Hill was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas State Board of Education Committee on Teacher Preparation and Certification.
Dr. Hill has received many awards and commendations for excellence in teaching and outstanding administrative service. Dr. Hill has published in the areas of educational leadership, school culture, and culturally responsive teaching and has obtained numerous grants and research awards for the enhancement of teacher quality and preparation.
Dr. Hill’s proven strategies for increasing academic achievement for African American males has been featured in the 2008 Publication State of Black South Carolina. Hill has served as chair of several state and national committees that have examined and identified effective strategies and best practice for increasing male student enrollment and retention at minority-serving institutions.
Dr. Hill has expertise in analysis and assessment of student and learning outcomes for continuous improvement, and accreditation. He has served as chair of AdvancEd school reviews and accreditation evaluator for the National Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). He also serves as a member of the Continuous Improvement Committee. He has successfully lead universities and faculty through successful accreditation reviews to include SACSCOC, NCATE, and Council for Accreditation of Counseling (CACREP).
Dr. Hill is a servant leader committed to serving the community. He has been an active member of numerous organizations including Rotary Club, Toastmasters, local Chamber of Commerce and Community Development Corporations, Boys and Girls Club, and is the founder of the school-based fatherhood engagement initiative D.A.D.S. (Developing a Demonstrating Society). He serves as the Director of Community Outreach and Education Chair within his chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.
Dr. Hill earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from South Carolina State University in 2005, a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Columbia College in 1999, and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Morehouse College in 1993. Dr. Hill has participated in several executive leadership development programs including Executive Leadership Institute, American Academic Leadership Institute. Becoming a Provost Academy, American Academic Leadership Institute, Deans of Impact Fellowship, William R. Harvey Leadership Institute, American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, and the Executive Leadership Institute of the University System of Georgia.
