Saint Augustine’s University has announced that Dr. Marcus H. Burgess was appointed as the interim president of the school, Diverse Education

James E.C. Perry, chairman of the Board of Trustees at Saint Augustine’s, lauded the hiring of Burgess as a major step in the right direction for the university.

“At this critical juncture, we believe Dr. Burgess has many resources he brings to SAU. Namely, resources that will assist SAU in its appeal to the recent Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) decision,” Perry said in a statement.

Burgess expressed his gratitude after accepting the position and is looking forward to leading Saint Augustine’s into a new era.

“I am deeply honored to step into the role of Interim President at Saint Augustine’s University and am committed to advancing its mission of excellence in education,” Burgess’ statement read. “I am committed to ushering in a new era of stability and growth for the university, ensuring its continued accreditation and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration. I stand with the dedicated faculty, staff, and students as we navigate these challenges and build a promising future for SAU.”  

Prior to becoming interim president at Saint Augustine’s, Burgess held several prominent positions in higher education. He was the former vice president for institutional advancement at Claflin University, the executive director for campaigns and strategic initiatives at York Technical College, the vice president for university advancement at Florida Memorial University, and vice president for institutional advancement at Voorhees College. He was also a former K-12 public school administrator.

Burgess holds a B.S. in elementary education from Claflin University, an M.S. in education administration and supervision from The Citadel, and a doctorate of education in learning and leadership in organizations from Vanderbilt University. 

The appointment of Burgess follows the controversial termination of Dr. Christine McPhail in early December two days after the school lost its accreditation because of financial issues.

According to David Tracey, McPhail's attorney, his client was fired because she filed a discrimination complaint against the board of trustees.

In October, McPhail accused the board of trustees of discrimination based on her gender claiming she was subject to humiliating remarks and verbal abuse from board members. 

Last year the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools put the university on probation because of the school's financial issues.

The university has a deadline of Jan. 24 to appeal the decision.