Morris Brown’s New President Plans To Revive The Historically Black College

Morris Brown President Kevin James will soon submit an application for accreditation with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

Nick Nelson, CEO- BRANDPRENUER

Morris Brown College’s board of trustees recently named Kevin James as the school’s 19th president. The board tapped James in February 2019 to serve as Morris Brown’s interim president after Stanley Pritchett stepped down.

The college has struggled since losing its accreditation at the end of 2002. That meant the school didn’t qualify for federal money, including key financial aid. Enrollment dwindled, and the college filed for bankruptcy in 2012 to erase millions of dollars of debt.

Since coming on board in 2019, James has tried to revive the college.

He’ll soon submit an application for accreditation with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). He’s also reached out to alumni to support the school and has found new ways to raise money.

He negotiated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which forgave more than $4 million of Morris Brown’s debt. He’s also raised more than $3 million for the school since taking over more than a year ago.

James estimates there are about 35 students enrolled at Morris Brown now. He says the college is trying to recruit more students for the fall when the school will be 100% online.