Voorhees College appoints Dr. Ronnie Hopkins interim president

Voorhees College has named Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, the college’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, as its interim president following the departure of Dr. W. Franklin Evans, who served as the college’s ninth president. Evans became the first Black president of West Liberty State University (West Liberty, W. Va.) on January 1.

“I look forward to providing students, faculty, staff, alumni, and all other college constituents with dynamic leadership, guidance, and direction in support of our vision of academic excellence and distinction,” said Hopkins. “I offer my sincere congratulations and blessings for continued success to Dr. W. Franklin Evans, as God has enlarged his territory and as he begins a new chapter of his career trajectory. President Evans has been an extraordinary leader for Voorhees and a remarkable mentor to me.”

Hopkins has more than 30 years of progressive leadership experience in public and higher education. He has served in many administrative and instructional positions that involve direction/supervision of faculty, staff, students, budgeting, and strategic planning. Hopkins has authored over $30 million dollars in grant awards to advance higher education priorities.

Prior to serving as chief academic officer, English professor, and SACSCOC accreditation liaison for Voorhees, Hopkins served in a variety of leadership roles at other SCICU member colleges and universities, including:

• Allen University – vice president for Student Affairs
• Benedict College – founding dean of the Freshman Institute and professor of English, chair and professor of English in the Department of English, Foreign Languages and Mass Communication, dean of the School of Continuing Education, Graduate Studies and Lifelong Learning, and founding dean of the School of Honors
• Claflin University – chair and professor of English for the Department of English and Foreign Languages

Dr. Hopkins has provided educational guidance and leadership advancement for underrepresented students across a number of interdisciplinary fields. His teaching experiences include English Language Arts teaching at the middle school, high school, and post-secondary levels. His academic specializations include the Critical Issues in the Teaching of English, Reading and Composition Theory, and African American Language and Literacy. Dr. Hopkins is the author of “Educating Black Males: Critical Issues in Schooling, Community and Power” (State University of New York Press: Albany, 1997). His December 2018 publication, “Leadership Challenges at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: The Benefits of Collaboration,” is featured in “Psychology and Education Journal: An Interdisciplinary Journal.”

A Bath, S.C. native, Hopkins is also the founder and chief executive officer of Possible Worlds Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides full-service career strategic directions and opportunities in education and employment for disenfranchised citizens impacted by homelessness, incarceration, and HIV/AIDS.

Hopkins holds a Ph.D. in English and a Master of Arts in English, both from Michigan State University. He has completed postdoctoral studies at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Hopkins earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with secondary teaching certification from North Carolina Central University.