Talladega College

Administration

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Willie L. Todd, Jr., Ph.D.

President
Email:
wtodd@talladega.edu

With 32 years of higher education leadership under his belt, President Todd has led an impressive turnaround at Denmark Technical College. Infused with his passion for advancing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), President Todd reimagined DTC’s future through a bold vision, compassion, creative problem-solving, and a student-centered approach that expanded student leadership while building a culture of care.

Under President Todd’s leadership, DTC enjoyed the following accomplishments: 

  • 870% increase in fundraising with over $32 million raised in five years 
  • 400% increase in scholarship offerings
  • Over 98% placement rate
  • 54% increase in enrollment along with increases in their retention and graduation rates
  • 1,104% increase in revenue generated by DTC’s Workforce and Continuing Education program
  • Over 50% of DTC’s deferred maintenance issues have been addressed
  • Probationary status Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) lifted within one year

Among President Todd’s honors are:  2022 CEO/President of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Technical College Commissioners, 2021 Shining Star by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs, and the Diamond Award for excellence in education, leadership, philanthropy, humanitarianism and community engagement from the Not Alone Foundation and the Academy of the Diamond. President Todd also served as president of the Presidents’ Council for the South Carolina Technical College System in 2023-2024, making him the first DTC leader to take on that role.

Prior to taking on the role of president, President Todd served DTC as vice president for academic affairs and student affairs. Before his arrival at DTC, President Todd served as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Wiley College (now Wiley University), vice provost and associate vice provost at Norfolk State University, and he served in various positions at Clark Atlanta University and Albany State University. 

Among his professional and community memberships are: the Presidents’ Roundtable of African-American CEOs, the HBCU Learning Ecosystem, 100 Black Men of America, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. President Todd also serves as a SACSCOC CEO/president off-site reviewer.

A native of West Point, Georgia, President Todd grew up in Decatur, Georgia. He holds a Ph.D. in English from Georgia State University, a Master of Education in higher education administration with a student affairs concentration from Regent University, and both a Master of Education in English education and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Albany State University.