Dr. Corey Wiggins Named 15th President of Tougaloo College

Dr. Corey Wiggins has been named as the 15th president of UNCF-member institution Tougaloo College. He brings more than two decades of leadership experience from higher education, public service, economic development, philanthropy and civil rights advocacy to the esteemed HBCU.

“It is a privilege to serve this remarkable institution, where generations of leaders have been inspired to think critically, lead courageously and make a lasting difference in the world,” Dr. Wiggins said.

“As we look ahead, we remain committed to creating an exceptional experience for every student while building upon the strong foundation that has defined Tougaloo for more than 150 years,” he continued. “Together, we will continue cultivating a community rooted in academic excellence, leadership, service and opportunity.”

Dr. Wiggins most recently served as federal co-chairman of the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), appointed by President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The federal-state partnership serves 255 counties and parishes across eight states in the Mississippi Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. Under his leadership, the DRA invested more than $300 million across hundreds of projects and supported economic growth, workforce development, healthcare access, infrastructure improvements and community revitalization.

Previously, he served as the executive director of the Mississippi State Conference NAACP. In this role, Dr. Wiggins partnered with community leaders, elected officials, philanthropic partners and grassroots advocates to advance initiatives related to civil rights, educational equity, voting rights, healthcare access, economic opportunity and criminal justice reform across Mississippi.

He has also held academic and professional appointments at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

As President of Tougaloo College, Dr. Wiggins is committed to building upon the institution’s historic legacy while positioning the College for a strong and sustainable future. His leadership is grounded in a belief that academic excellence, operational excellence, innovation and mission alignment are essential to preparing students to lead and serve in an increasingly complex world.

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