Every Tuesday the D.J's Music Site HBCU Campaign Fund organization will highlight a HBCU Chancellor or President. This is in promotion of our social media campaign to bring awareness and support the excellence of historically black colleges and universities.

This Tuesday (8/11/15), we highlighted Dr. Claude G. Perkins, (pictured on the right), President of Virginia Union University University.

Dr. Claude Grandford Perkins is the 12th President of Virginia Union University. Since his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in January 2009, the University has undergone a major transformations. Dr. Perkins' achievements include increases in enrollment, scholarships, retention, and the university's net assets.

Dr. Perkins earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from The Ohio University, a Master of Arts Degree from Purdue University, and the Bachelor of Science Degree from Mississippi Valley State University. He has completed further study at Vanderbilt University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Oklahoma State University.

Dr. Perkins' commitment to serving the community has led to record breaking hours of student volunteer service in the Richmond metro area. Virginia Union has been honored by President Barack Obama with placement on the Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll four times during Dr. Perkins' presidency. Dr. Perkins has expanded his leadership role throughout the Greater Richmond community and beyond, serving as a past member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and Richmond's Future, as well as past chairperson of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's (CIAA) Board of Directors. Currently, Dr. Perkins serves as Executive Committee of Venture Richmond, and the Steering Committee of Future Richmond's Past. He is a member of the SunTrust Band Mid-Atlantic Advisory Board, Richmond Management RoundTable, and Bridging Richmond. In addition, Dr. Perkins serves on the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Corporate Board of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

Because of his ardent support of the value added proposition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Dr. Perkins is in demand as a national spokesperson. He recently served as the keynote speaker for the 32nd Annual UNCF Martin Luther King Day Breakfast. He joined several other HBCU presidents for an HBCU Panel Discussion at the City Club of Cleveland in June 2015, and in November 2014 he participated in an HBCU Presidents Panel in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Virginia Union University. Dr. Perkins was also a panelist at the National Action Network Annual Conference. In addition, he has been interviewed by National Public Radio, WRIC-TV, WTVR-TV and WWBT-TV.

Dr. Perkins' successful efforts to get the university fully accredited have led to numerous accolades for the university, including designation by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Best Regional Colleges. Dr. Perkins' support of faculty and students has led to an increase in faculty publications and student learning experiences. The first Fulbright Scholar under his presidency was recently completed and a new partnership with Meharry Medical College has created substantial opportunities for Virginia Union's science majors.

Dr. Perkins' is the father of two songs and one daughter, he is married to Cheryl Elizabeth Perkins.

#ChooseVUU

For more information about Virginia Union University, visit www.vuu.edu