ATLANTA – The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has announced that Miles College President, Dr. George T. French has been elected as chair of the SIAC President’s Council. Effective immediately, Dr. French’s two-year post as chair will commence after the SIAC Council of Presidents voted unanimously during its annual fall meeting. “It is an honor and a privilege to serve the SIAC in this capacity,” said Dr. French. “I, along with my esteemed colleagues on the council, will work together to the utmost of our abilities to serve on the foundation of knowledge and integrity for one of the preeminent athletic organizations in the Collegiate Athletic Community.” “As president of Miles College, President French has earned a reputation for effecting positive transformational change in organizations with a thoughtful and innovative leadership style,” added SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore. “The SIAC will certainly be well served by President French’s new expanded leadership role.” Under Dr. French’s leadership, the school recently completed the $30 million “Miles Ahead” Campaign, with gifts and pledges exceeding $42.4 million, as well as the acquisition of the former Lloyd Noland Hospital Campus. Recently, Dr. French championed the construction of three state of the art buildings: the Dr. George T. French, Jr. Student Activities Center, Welcome and Admissions Center and the 204-bed Bishop Teresa E. Snorton Residence Hall. Furthermore, Dr. French has pioneered a monumental shift in the areas of enrollment, growth, and fundraising since becoming Miles College’s president in 2006. Dr. French earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in Policy Analysis from the University of Louisville. He earned a Juris Doctorate from Miles School of Law and is currently ABD at Jackson State University for the PhD. where he is completing his dissertation on the topic of 21st century challenges in higher education and the use of transformational and transactional leadership styles as solutions. Dr. French is a 2013 recipient of the NAACP Man of the Year award and was one of six finalists for the 2013 HBCU President of the Year.
