Page 7 - Alcorn - The University Magazine: Spring, 2018

NINETEEN FOR 19
Accomplishments
1. GainedASBSPaccreditationreaffirmation for the School of Business
2. GainedCSWEaccreditationreaffirmation for the Department of Social Work
3. Increased online academic degree offerings by 50%
4. Reduced credit-hour requirements for baccalaureate-level programs from 124 to 120
5. Added four new academic programs (Athletic Training, etc.)
6. Increased out-of-state student enrollment by 140%
7. Established two new academic scholarships and revised existing scholarship offerings
8. Launched statewide President’s Recruitment Tour (2017) - visited 58 schools in 17 days
9. Launched Robo-Registrar Initiative to provide electronic transcripts within 24 hours
10. Launched online advising and customer service tool go.alcorn.edu
11. Digitized student and staff exit clearance process
12. Repaved ASU Drive as part of a $17.9M USDOT transportation grant
13. Established Southwest Mississippi Center for Culture and Learning through legislative appropriation
14. Established dual-credit MOUs with Natchez- Adams and Vicksburg - Warren schools
15. Completed utility infrastructure upgrades; $3.8 M
16. Secured largest single-donor gift in the history of the university; $1M
17. Realized annual increases in giving through “Always Alcorn” Annual Fund Campaign
18. Completed campus IT infrastructure upgrade including WIFI (Phase I and II); $2.5M
19. Constructed a new campus entrance, 500+ car parking lot, and paved RV lot; $6.2M
The ALS Association’s Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014. Dr. Rankins joined
in the fun and raised more than $5,000 with fellow Alcornites.
In 2016, the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation awarded Alcorn funding for the “Braves for Fitness” initiative to promote healthy living education, construction of wellness stations on the walking trail and implementation of a smoke-free campus policy.
The Rankins family, Juandalyn, Afton
and Alfred Jr., have contributed their
loving support and shared in President Rankins’ success since he was reintroduced as president to the campus on March 4, 2014.
“Dr. Rankins has experience at both the system level and as a university president. He also understands the challenges our universities face in today’s higher education landscape. He will provide excellent leadership to the university system.”
— C.D. Smith, President, Board of Trustees, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning
ALCORN.EDU 5
PURPLE & GOLD