The presidents of the three Georgia HBCUs are set to receive a pay raise in July, per a report by Atlanta local affiliate WSB-TV. Dr. Paul A. Jones, the 10th president of Fort Valley State University (FVSU), will see his total compensation rise to $364,326 while Interim President Cynthia Robinson Alexander, who has led Savannah State University since July 2023, will now receive a total compensation package of $303,928. The position and salary level for Albany State University wasn’t reported.

All 26 University System of Georgia Presidents are set to receive what is being considered a “cost of living adjustment” to their salaries.

“Presidential compensation for FY2025 reflects a $3,000 COLA increase approved by the state and, in some cases, includes adjustments to retain some of the nation’s best college and university presidents. In a competitive market for leaders in higher education, we compete for the best and want to keep them. Board of Regents-approved compensation is designed to reflect presidents’ responsibilities as chief officers at their respective institutions and be competitive with leaders of institutions of similar size, mission and impact,” USG officials said to WSB-TV.

Dr. Paul Jones holds the record as the longest-serving public HBCU president amongst the three public institutions. He took on the role of president at Fort Valley State in December 2015. Throughout his tenure, Jones has enhanced the university by expanding academic programs both on-campus and online. He has prioritized innovative initiatives to boost student achievement. Under his guidance, FVSU not only modernized its campus facilities but also achieved its highest enrollment numbers since Fall 2013. Jones’s emphasis on student retention and graduation rates has led to significant enhancements, positioning FVSU for continued progress and prosperity.

Albany State and Savannah State currently do not have permanent university presidents. Cynthia Robinson Alexander is leading Savannah State after Kimberly Ballard-Washington. Albany State University is searching for its next president as Dr. Marion Frederick steps down.

Although the specific details of the new president’s compensation package have not been reported, the institution’s commitment to competitive pay in alignment with USG’s guidelines remains clear. Dr. Frederick, who will transition to a new role as executive vice president and chief of staff to the president at Georgia State University effective July 1, has paved the way for future growth and stability at Albany State.

Fredrick led the institution in key initiatives such as redesigning academic colleges, approving the University System of Georgia’s first nexus degrees, and implementing the university’s integrated student success model, including the Albany State University Summer Success Institute. Albany State also boasts the highest student enrollment amongst the three public HBCUs in the state.