After years of serving in academia around the country, Johnny Moore is returning to his alma mater, Philander Smith College in Little Rock, as president.
"Everything started for me at Philander Smith," he said.
Moore was a first-generation college student. College wasn’t discussed in his household, at least not until he started receiving offers for basketball scholarships. The intimate atmosphere at Philander Smith, Moore said, showed him that he wanted a life in academia.
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"Education is critical," he said. "It’s critical because it changes the lives of individuals forever. And not just that individual; it changes the lives of families forever. I’m an example of that. Being the first in my family to go to college – I didn’t have money. I didn’t have anything."
For Moore’s two children, he said, the question for them isn’t whether they’ll go to college, but where. But there are still barriers. "Not only rising tuition, but the cost of books," he said. "Those are all barriers that make it very difficult for students to persist, not just here, but nationally."
After receiving his master’s from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Moore began his career at East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City. He then was offered a position in Florida, where he climbed the academic ladder during the course of 16 years.
"Ultimately I was chosen as a vice president of student affairs at Indian River State College, and I stayed there as vice president for six and a half years," he said.
When he was accepted as president of Philander Smith, Moore said, it completed a full circle.
"My wife and I are from Arkansas. I’m from outside Hope, my wife is from Forrest City," he said. "Little Rock is a center point between my wife’s hometown and my hometown. It’s an ideal situation."
As he prepares to move to Little Rock, Moore has been researching Philander Smith and its students.
"Once my term of office starts, I’ll have one-on-one meetings with faculty, students and everyone," he said. "I’ll get their feedback. I want them to be part of the vision I have. I envision Philander Smith as one of the best liberal arts institutes, hands down. Not just among historically black colleges – one of the best there is."