led for a decade. Before he left in 2022, he gave the institution's board of trustees plenty of notice, giving them time to conduct a thorough national search for his successor as he moved on to .
Back then, there was no shortage of ideas about what type of person should lead the "Gem of Gentilly," as it's often called. Some alumni, donors and others with voices that matter wanted a veteran president. Some wanted a fresh face, someone with new ideas for a school that's seen its share of ups and downs through the decades, especially since Hurricane Katrina nearly 20 years ago. Some insisted an alumnus should get the job — and some knew exactly who it should've been.
Dillard is a private university. There are no public disclosure requirements when there are high-level job searches. The DU Board of Trustees had a thick pile of candidates and seriously considered several. The board chose , a longtime Howard University faculty member and administrator who was the dean of an Elon University program larger than Dillard.
Ford's appointment brought great excitement. Then, earlier this year, she wasn't at the spring alumni and commencement events. Speculation grew. In June, Dillard announced that .
, a seasoned educator and university leader Ford had appointed university provost and chief academic and enrollment officer in April, became acting president — and then interim president. Faculty, staff and students wondered if there would be another national search.
Monique Guillory was appointed interim president of Dillard University in June. (Photo provided)
On the afternoon of December 18, the Dillard board answered that question, naming Guillory as Dillard University's ninth president.
In a letter to faculty, staff, students and influential Dillard supporters, the board said Guillory had been selected with the help of an executive search firm that engaged Dillard stakeholders, reviewed potential candidates and conducted a thorough background check. The appointment is "effective immediately," according to the emailed letter.
Before arriving at Dillard, Guillory was a leader at the University of District of Columbia and served in a variety of leadership roles at several historically Black universities.
Though the board didn't include this in its announcement, Guillory implemented a shared services model to reduce administrative processes and leveraged a $20 million Environmental Protection Agency grant to make DU a go-to resource for environmental justice and sustainability. She also has focused on stabilizing the institution's finances, implementing a significant restructuring that will trim $1.5 million from the annual operating budget.
Neither Ford nor Guillory realized that Ford had pre-selected her successor. Fortunately, the board came to realize that in recent weeks.
Guillory is a New Orleans native, a graduate of St. Mary's Academy, a Tulane University graduate with a doctorate from New York University, a former Xavier University Louisiana executive and a St. Augustine High School board member. In a short time, she convinced the board and key stakeholders that "a new search would not yield candidates comparable to Dr. Guillory," especially with the "positive momentum" she's started, according to the board's letter.Â
Far too many university presidents aren't in the job long enough to establish and implement a long-term vision.
My hope is that Guillory will shepherd Dillard for a good long while and prove that she's the leader Dillard needs for years to come.
