Dr. Thomas J. Calhoun, Jr., President – Chicago State University

Thomas J. Calhoun, Jr., a native of Tuskegee, Alabama, is the President of Chicago State University. Calhoun previously served as Vice President for Enrollment Management at the University of North Alabama, after having served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at UNA. Prior to that he was Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services at the University Of Washington College Of Engineering.

Early in his career, Calhoun was a laboratory technician in the Biology Department at Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, where he taught experimental laboratory methods in molecular biology. He subsequently directed a science and technology program at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. In Chicago, IL he served as the founding principal of North Lawndale College Preparatory Charter High School, principal at Hales Franciscan High School, and headmaster at St. Gregory Episcopal School. Additionally, he worked for several years in the Chicago Public Schools’ Department of Research, Evaluation and Planning.

Dr. Calhoun holds bachelors degrees from Tuskegee University in Philosophy and Biology, a Master of Science degree in Biology from Clark Atlanta University, a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from the University of Chicago, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Washington.

Dr. Calhoun is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He has lectured and preached extensively around the country, and has served as an associate minister at Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta, GA, Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC, Trinity Episcopal Church in Potsdam, NY, Gunnison Memorial Chapel in Canton, NY, Quinn Chapel AME Church in Chicago, IL, and First AME Church in Seattle WA. Currently, he is an associate minister at the Greater St. Paul AME Church of Florence, AL. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA.