James H. Ammons
Encyclopedia
Dr. James H. Ammons, is currently the president of Florida A&M University
(FAMU). He is a native Floridian
who grew up in the heart of Florida's citrus belt. He graduated from Winter Haven High School
in 1970 and entered Florida A&M University on the Thirteen College Curriculum Program during the fall semester of 1970. In 1974, he graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree in Political Science
. After being awarded the Minority Graduate Fellowship from the American Political Science Association
, he earned a M.S. in Public Administration
in 1975, and a Ph.D.
in government in 1977, both from Florida State University
.
. He returned to FAMU in 1983 as an associate professor of political science, and in 1984, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1989, he was promoted to Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and also served as Director of Title III Programs. He was promoted to the rank of a full professor in 1993, and FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries
appointed him to the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs on October 1, 1995. At Florida A&M University, he developed more than 22 bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degree programs; and worked to reestablish the FAMU School of Law.
of North Carolina Central University
(NCCU) on June 1, 2001.
At NCCU, enrollment reached an all-time high during his tenure, climbing from 5,473 in fall 2001 to 8,675 in fall 2006- a 58.4 percent increase. NCCU became the fastest growing institution in the University of North Carolina System at that time.
Since his tenure, NCCU attracted its first National Achievement Scholars with three finalists and three semifinalists in its fall 2002 freshman class. Chancellor Ammons also managed the $121 million 2000 Bond Program, which includes a $36 million science complex. A new Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise was also built on the campus. This institute produces bachelor's, master's and Ph.D.'s degree holders for the biomanufacturing industry. He worked to expand program offerings by planning Ph.D. programs in communications disorders, information sciences, bioprocessing and biomedical sciences. Currently, NCCU offers academic programs in the Schools of Law, Education, Library and Information Sciences, Business; and the College of Arts and Sciences.
. Ammons's contract included the provisions that it renews on a daily basis (essentially making him "president for life"), and and guaranteeing an annual "performance bonus" of 25 to 35 percent of his $325,000 base salary. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Ammons is the only university president in Florida to have such an "evergreen" contract.http://chronicle.com/article/Florida-A-M-Board-Pushes-to/129355/
Since his arrival at the University, he has built a top-notch, strong leadership team. In addition, Dr. Ammons secured accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education in which the board voted to reaffirm the College’s accreditation status through June 30, 2010. Under his leadership FAMU also received its first unqualified audit in three years from the Auditor General’s Office; and this summer, the University will enroll students for the first time in a new doctorate program in physical therapy.
Ammons is a scholar, teacher, and researcher who has published and made presentations primarily in the areas of accountability, higher education in Florida, and political processes in Florida and the nation. He is a member of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
and has chaired several evaluation and reaffirmation committees for this accrediting agency. He has chaired accreditation teams for North Carolina Central University, Norfolk State University
, South Carolina State University
, Jackson State University
and Clemson University
. He was a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Task Force on Professional Development Programs for Teachers.
Ammons has received many honors and awards, and is actively involved in the community. In November 2002, he received the “Citizen of the Year Award” from the Beta Phi chapter of Omega Psi Phi
fraternity. He was selected in 2001 as the honorary chair of Light Up Durham, a community holiday festival, and honorary co-chair of the Durham Public Education Network. The News & Observer named Ammons one of the “10 to Watch in 2002.” He was honored in August 2002 as one of the first recipients of the “Guardian of Our Legacy Award” presented during the Harlem Week National Historic Black College Fair Reception and Reunion in New York. He received the award for serving as an “outstanding role model and leader” in higher education.
He was an American Council on Education Fellow, and in 1987-88, he served as Political Science Faculty Program Consultant for the Florida Board of Regents
; and Alpha Kappa Mu
Scholar, 1970-74. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award by the College of Arts and Sciences of Florida A&M University, 1987; in 1995, he was given the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Florida State University College of Social Sciences
; in 1999, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Florida A&M University and in 2000, was the recipient of the Millennium Award by Florida A&M University.
He is married to the former Judy (Ruffin) and they have one son, James, III.
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
(FAMU). He is a native Floridian
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
who grew up in the heart of Florida's citrus belt. He graduated from Winter Haven High School
Winter Haven High School
Winter Haven High School PrincipalGina WilliamsSchool typePublic Religious affiliationNoneFounded1890LocationPolk County, Florida, Winter Haven, FloridaEnrollment1761 students , Campus surroundingsUrbanContact...
in 1970 and entered Florida A&M University on the Thirteen College Curriculum Program during the fall semester of 1970. In 1974, he graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
. After being awarded the Minority Graduate Fellowship from the American Political Science Association
American Political Science Association
The American Political Science Association is a professional association of political science students and scholars in the United States. Founded in 1903, it publishes three academic journals...
, he earned a M.S. in Public Administration
Public administration
Public Administration houses the implementation of government policy and an academic discipline that studies this implementation and that prepares civil servants for this work. As a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope" its "fundamental goal.....
in 1975, and a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in government in 1977, both from Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
.
Early career
Ammons began his teaching career in public policy and administration in 1977 as an assistant professor at the University of Central FloridaUniversity of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida, commonly referred to as UCF, is a metropolitan public research university located in Orlando, Florida, United States...
. He returned to FAMU in 1983 as an associate professor of political science, and in 1984, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1989, he was promoted to Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and also served as Director of Title III Programs. He was promoted to the rank of a full professor in 1993, and FAMU President Frederick S. Humphries
Frederick S. Humphries
Frederick Stephen Humphries is an American academic administrator and chemistry professor. He has been a Regent Professor at the Florida A&M University College of Law since 2003. Dr. Humphries is President Emeritus of Tennessee State University , and is President Emeritus of Florida A&M University...
appointed him to the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs on October 1, 1995. At Florida A&M University, he developed more than 22 bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degree programs; and worked to reestablish the FAMU School of Law.
North Carolina Central University
Ammons became the ninth chancellorChancellor
Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the...
of North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in the University of North Carolina system, located in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels....
(NCCU) on June 1, 2001.
At NCCU, enrollment reached an all-time high during his tenure, climbing from 5,473 in fall 2001 to 8,675 in fall 2006- a 58.4 percent increase. NCCU became the fastest growing institution in the University of North Carolina System at that time.
Since his tenure, NCCU attracted its first National Achievement Scholars with three finalists and three semifinalists in its fall 2002 freshman class. Chancellor Ammons also managed the $121 million 2000 Bond Program, which includes a $36 million science complex. A new Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise was also built on the campus. This institute produces bachelor's, master's and Ph.D.'s degree holders for the biomanufacturing industry. He worked to expand program offerings by planning Ph.D. programs in communications disorders, information sciences, bioprocessing and biomedical sciences. Currently, NCCU offers academic programs in the Schools of Law, Education, Library and Information Sciences, Business; and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Florida A&M University
On July 2, 2007, Dr. James H. Ammons, became the tenth president of Florida A&M UniversityFlorida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
. Ammons's contract included the provisions that it renews on a daily basis (essentially making him "president for life"), and and guaranteeing an annual "performance bonus" of 25 to 35 percent of his $325,000 base salary. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Ammons is the only university president in Florida to have such an "evergreen" contract.http://chronicle.com/article/Florida-A-M-Board-Pushes-to/129355/
Since his arrival at the University, he has built a top-notch, strong leadership team. In addition, Dr. Ammons secured accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education in which the board voted to reaffirm the College’s accreditation status through June 30, 2010. Under his leadership FAMU also received its first unqualified audit in three years from the Auditor General’s Office; and this summer, the University will enroll students for the first time in a new doctorate program in physical therapy.
Ammons is a scholar, teacher, and researcher who has published and made presentations primarily in the areas of accountability, higher education in Florida, and political processes in Florida and the nation. He is a member of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
and has chaired several evaluation and reaffirmation committees for this accrediting agency. He has chaired accreditation teams for North Carolina Central University, Norfolk State University
Norfolk State University
Norfolk State University is a four-year, state-supported, coed, liberal arts, historically black university located in Norfolk, Virginia. It is member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the Virginia High-Tech Partnership.-Academics:...
, South Carolina State University
South Carolina State University
South Carolina State University is a historically black university located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. It is the only state funded, historically black land-grant institution in South Carolina and is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.- Colleges, departments,...
, Jackson State University
Jackson State University
Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
and Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
. He was a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities is an organization of state-supported colleges and universities that offer degree programs leading to bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees...
Task Force on Professional Development Programs for Teachers.
Additional experience
Ammons currently serves as a member of the Central Carolina Bank Durham Advisory Board and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce and Leadership North Carolina. In September 2002, he was elected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. He also served as a member of the Joint Commission on Accountability Reporting of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. In December 2003, he was appointed to the Advisory Committee for Habitat for Humanity of Durham.Ammons has received many honors and awards, and is actively involved in the community. In November 2002, he received the “Citizen of the Year Award” from the Beta Phi chapter of Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi
Omega Psi Phi is a fraternity and is the first African-American national fraternal organization to be founded at a historically black college. Omega Psi Phi was founded on November 17, 1911, at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. The founders were three Howard University juniors, Edgar Amos...
fraternity. He was selected in 2001 as the honorary chair of Light Up Durham, a community holiday festival, and honorary co-chair of the Durham Public Education Network. The News & Observer named Ammons one of the “10 to Watch in 2002.” He was honored in August 2002 as one of the first recipients of the “Guardian of Our Legacy Award” presented during the Harlem Week National Historic Black College Fair Reception and Reunion in New York. He received the award for serving as an “outstanding role model and leader” in higher education.
He was an American Council on Education Fellow, and in 1987-88, he served as Political Science Faculty Program Consultant for the Florida Board of Regents
Florida Board of Regents
The Florida Board of Regents was from 1965 to 2001 the governing body for the State University System of Florida, which includes all public universities in the state of Florida, United States. It was created to replace a predecessor body called the Florida Board of Control, which had existed from...
; and Alpha Kappa Mu
Alpha Kappa Mu
The Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society is an American collegiate honor society recognizing academic excellence in all areas of study. Juniors, seniors, and graduate students are permitted to join...
Scholar, 1970-74. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award by the College of Arts and Sciences of Florida A&M University, 1987; in 1995, he was given the Distinguished Alumni Award by the Florida State University College of Social Sciences
Florida State University College of Social Sciences
The Florida State University College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, located in Tallahassee, Florida, is one of fifteen colleges comprising the Florida State University . The College was founded in 1973 and includes six departments: Economics, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Urban...
; in 1999, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Florida A&M University and in 2000, was the recipient of the Millennium Award by Florida A&M University.
He is married to the former Judy (Ruffin) and they have one son, James, III.