Langston University President JoAnn W. Haysbert announced Monday she plans to resign at the end of the fall semester.
Haysbert, who has served as Langston University’s president for six years, told faculty members at a luncheon that she plans to return to Hampton University in Virginia, where she will serve as executive vice president.
Haysbert spent 25 years serving in various academic and administrative positions at Hampton University before coming to Langston University.
“While this was personally a difficult decision, I know it is the right one and this is the right time, given what has been accomplished in the past six years,” Haysbert said in a news release. “I believe in a higher power, so I am confident that the stars are properly aligned in favor of this move. I am deeply honored to have served as president of one of the finest historically black colleges in America with a rich heritage.”
Haysbert was Langston University’s 15th president and first female president.
“On behalf of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents, I commend President Haysbert for her outstanding leadership and the many accomplishments achieved during her presidency,” Jay L. Helm, board chairman, said in the release. “She did an admirable job in a relatively short period of time. In so doing, her leadership has put Langston on a pathway to greater academic and research success in the future. We wish President Haysbert only the very best in her new position at Hampton, and we are appreciative of her work at Langston.”
Haysbert cited the implementation of a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan for Langston University as being one of her top accomplishments.
“We completed over 80 percent of our ambitious goals in only five years,” she said.
She listed the following as other major accomplishments of her administration:
• Fiscal soundness. The University’s fiscal health is the best it has been in 20 years, according to external auditors, she said. In addition to receiving several consecutive unqualified audits, the institution operates without a deficit.
• Closed the technological divide. Five years ago, there was virtually no technology on any of the three campuses. Today, each campus has wireless capabilities, four-digit dialing capability to Tulsa and Oklahoma City campuses from the main campus, online registration (including bill payments), several computer labs and “smart classrooms” on each campus, and a total upgrade of the network infrastructure.
• Increased and enhanced academic offerings. Eleven programs of distinction have been identified, University College was established as a comprehensive resources center and the “academic home” for all freshmen and sophomores, online courses are now offered and several new graduate programs have been added.
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