JACKSON — The admittedly slow process of hiring a new president for Alcorn State University gained a bit of traction Thursday.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning designated a search committee to begin the process.

The search committee will include trustees C.D. Smith as chairman, Ed Blakeslee, Dr. Stacy Davidson, Dr. Bettye Neely and Dr. Doug Rouse.

The IHL did not set a timeline for the search.

Former President George Ross accepted a position as the new leader of Central Michigan University in February.

Norris Edney of Natchez is serving as ASU interim president.

The IHL said in April that state budget cuts had forced the Alcorn president search to the back burner.

A typical search process lasts six months or more.