Nationwide — Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., the youngest president of any Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the country, is set to be officially installed as the new leader of Grambling State University. His investiture ceremony, a historic first for the university, will officially welcome him into this leadership role.Lemelle’s investiture marks a significant moment, following a tradition where a new leader is officially given their powers of office, according to TheIndustry.Biz. Lemelle will be celebrated by the community as a new chapter begins in Grambling State’s history.
Lemelle is dedicated to building on Grambling State’s rich history while driving its future success. As a third-generation alumnus, Lemelle has a strong connection to the university. His leadership experience includes serving as Executive Vice-President and CFO at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), where he was known for his effective financial management and visionary leadership.
Before joining Grambling State as Executive Vice-President and COO, Lemelle managed significant financial operations at major companies like PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM, and General Electric. His achievements at Grambling State include securing the university’s largest corporate gift and boosting its fiscal health score by 200%.
Lemelle earned a B.S. in Accounting from Grambling State University, an M.B.A. from George Washington University, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from SKEMA Business School in Paris. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and serves on the United Way of Central Maryland Board of Directors. Lemelle’s leadership is marked by a focus on innovation, academic excellence, and community involvement.