Prairie View A&M University President Ruth Simmons to step down from her role

Prairie View A&M University President Ruth Simmons, a leader in higher education, announced Friday she will be stepping down from her role. Simmons — who was appointed in 2017 to the position — said in a message Friday she told Chancellor John Sharp about her desire to step down “in a manner that facilitates the continued forward momentum of the University.” “I will remain in place, if he desires, until my successor is chosen,” she wrote. Simmons’ experience in education and honors are extensive. She had originally taken on the job at Prairie View A&M in an interim capacity, emerging from retirement to do so. Before her time there, she served for over 10 years as Brown University’s president. In doing so, she becamethe first Black president of an Ivy League university.

Prior to her tenure at Brown, she had also served as president at Smith College, where she was inaugurated in 1995. The following year, she was named one of NBC Nightly News’ “Most Inspiring Women.” “Talking Ruth Simmons into coming out of retirement to lead Prairie View A&M University is one of the things I am proudest of,” Chancellor John Sharp said in a written statement sent to the Chronicle. “In five years, she has transformTed the university and set it on a path to success and I am thankful for her time as President. I know the faculty and the students, in particular, will miss her day-to-day inspirational leadership.” In her statement Friday, Simmons — who had “anticipated a brief stint at the helm,” and is now in her fifth year leading the historically Black college — reflected on the gains made during her time with Prairie View A&M, while looking toward the work still needed. “Even as I reflect on these and other changes, I am humbled by how much remains to be done. Prairie View A&M is nowhere near what it could ultimately achieve as an institution of the first class,” she wrote.