Meet Willie Todd Jr., the new Talladega College president with an impressive track record
Talladega College named West Point, Georgia, native Willie Todd Jr. as its 22nd president on Saturday.
Todd has served as the president and chief executive officer of Denmark Technical College in Denmark, South Carolina, since 2020. He will assume the role of Talladega president on July 1. Walter Kimbrough has served as interim Talladega president since June 2024 after Gregory J. Vincent retired.
“His experience and dedication will be invaluable as we navigate the next chapter of Talladega College’s rich history and continue on our path forward to build back better and stronger,” said Rica Lewis-Payton, chair of the board of trustees. “I look forward to working with President Todd, and I believe that he is equipped with the skills and experiences to help the college achieve its goals.”
Todd, who holds a Ph.D. in English from Georgia State University and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., said he was honored to be chosen to lead Talladega College, “an institution with a powerful legacy and boundless potential.”
“This institution was founded in defiance of limitation and in pursuit of possibility,” he said. “That legacy calls us to lead with boldness and integrity. As a proud product of an HBCU (Albany State University) and a lifelong servant of these sacred institutions, I believe the time has come to reimagine liberal arts education as a dynamic force for the future.”
Todd said he looks forward “to forging a culture of true collaboration, grounded in shared vision and mutual respect, with the Board of Trustees, administration, students, faculty, staff, alumni and the greater Talladega College community.”
Todd has 32 years of higher education leadership experience.
Talladega College said he has led an impressive turnaround at DTC.
“Infused with his passion for advancing Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Todd reimagined DTC’s future through a bold vision, compassion, creative problem-solving, and a student-centered approach that expanded student leadership while building a culture of care,” the college said in a news release.
Under Todd’s leadership, DTC experienced an 870% increase in fundraising with over $32 million raised in five years, a 400% increase in scholarship offerings, an over 98% placement rate, a 54% increase in enrollment along with increases in their retention and graduation rates, a 1,104% increase in revenue generated by DTC’s Workforce and Continuing Education program, over 50% of DTC’s deferred maintenance issues have been addressed and probationary status Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Commission on Colleges was lifted within one year.
He won numerous awards during his tenure, including 2022 CEO/President of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners, the 2021 Shining Star by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs and the Diamond Award for excellence in education, leadership, philanthropy, humanitarianism and community engagement from the Not Alone Foundation and the Academy of the Diamond.
Todd also served as president of the Presidents’ Council for the South Carolina Technical College System in 2023-2024, making him the first DTC leader to take on that role.
Prior to taking on the role of president, Todd served DTC as vice president for academic affairs and student affairs. Before his arrival at DTC, Todd served as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Wiley College (now Wiley University), vice provost and associate vice provost at Norfolk State University and he served in various positions at Clark Atlanta University and Albany State University.