LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Philander Smith College Board of Trustees has selected Roderick L. Smothers as its 14th president.

“Over the last few months, Philander Smith College has had a mantra of ‘Moving forward.’ Roderick Smothers is the right choice to continue the institution’s forward movement, to build upon its rich heritage and to sustain its esteemed legacy,” said Artee Williams, chairman of Philander Smith College’s Board of Trustees.

“With a stellar 20-year career in higher education—a majority of which has been at historically black colleges and universities— the board believes Smothers is ideally suited to lead Philander Smith College into a preeminent future.”

Smothers, who was born in Natchez and grew up in Vidalia, earned his bachelor of science in psychology from Louisiana State University. He also holds a master of public administration degree with a concentration in higher education administration from Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership, research and counseling from Louisiana State University.