Philander Smith College has named Cynthia Hopson as interim president following the resignation of Roderick Smothers last month.
Smothers stepped down to pursue another opportunity, according to a report by KARK, but at least one member of the school’s board of trustees suggested he was pushed out. Smothers had been president of the historically Black college in Little Rock since 2015.
Hopson is chief equity officer and assistant general secretary of the Black College Fund at the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, Tennessee. In her new role at Philander Smith, she’ll oversee the college’s strategic initiatives as the board launches a nationwide search for a new president.
“As a board, we are committed to moving Philander Forward, and we will certainly be able to do so under her leadership,” Terry Espin, chair of the board, said in a news release.
Hopson holds a bachelor’s in mass communications from Clark College, now known as Clark Atlanta University, a master’s in journalism from Murray State University in Kentucky, and a doctorate in journalism from Southern Illinois University. She has served on the faculty of Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee, Murray State University and the University of Memphis.
Philander Smith also announced that Gregory Hudson, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, had been appointed as interim executive vice president and chief operating officer. He’ll oversee the day-to-day operations of the college during the presidential transition.
Hudson joined Philander Smith in 2019. His past roles include chief student affairs officer and dean of students at H. Councill Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery, Alabama.
“This temporary appointment of Dr. Hudson solidifies our concerted effort to prioritize growth and expansion within our team,” Esper said.
Hudson attended Delta State University, where he earned a bachelor’s in general studies, a master’s of education in social science/sociology, a master’s of education in health physical education and recreation, and a doctor of education in professional studies/educational administration.
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