The Jacksonville State University (JSU) board of trustees on Tuesday confirmed Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. – a two-time JSU graduate and acting president since October – as the university’s 13th president, effective immediately.
Killingsworth assumed the acting presidency after the board released the former president, Dr. John M. Beehler, from his contract.
A release outlined that JSU board members found that Killingsworth’s leadership as acting president over the last seven months has proven him more than capable to formally lead the university into the future.
“With every challenge that presented itself during his tenure as acting president, Don rose to the occasion, many times being three steps ahead in how to approach each matter,” stated Randy Jones, JSU board chair. “His caliber, overall expertise and what he’s accomplished since October have since far surpassed our expectations.”
JSU’s trustees are expected to ratify Killingsworth’s contract in July and will reportedly integrate both incentives and success goals.
“Don has ultimately been on a job interview for seven months, and while we initially thought we would open a search beyond our current staff, his professionalism, experience, knowledge, levelheadedness and leadership have shown that what JSU needed was already in place,” Jones added. “Our decision to make this official and with no delay reflects our utmost confidence in him. And with a new school year fast approaching and a pandemic still in full force, we needed a permanent leader to carefully steer us through these uncharted waters.”
“We feel it is appropriate to provide the leader of our students and campus with an enhanced drive for success,” he concluded. “And with a great cabinet in place and a fantastic provost, Don has all of the tools necessary to take Jacksonville State into a new, highly successful era.”
Killingsworth has dedicated his entire career to JSU.
Upon graduating from the university with a bachelor’s degree in geography in 1999 and a master’s degree in counseling in 2001, the former Student Government Association president worked for more than a year as a consultant for American College Testing, Inc., the provider of the ACT college entrance exam. He returned to his alma mater in 2002 to support student success as coordinator of academic advisement. Soon after, he was named director of government relations by former president and mentor, Dr. William Meehan. Killingsworth was later promoted to chief government relations and community engagement officer.
“As JSU’s president, I am more than ever committed to advancing us toward the future by relying on a competent and strong leadership team in all critical areas, restoring relationships with various stakeholders, operating in a conservative and fiscally responsible manner, fundraising to assist the university in its mission, increasing enrollment to the populations that we serve, and exhibiting a ‘student first’ attitude,” Killingsworth said. “Together, we will move JSU forward.”
He received his doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Alabama in 2016. In addition to his new role as president, Killingsworth will continue to serve in a leadership role for the Higher Education Partnership as chairperson for the Council of University Governmental Affairs Representatives, a group comprised of lobbyists from Alabama’s 14 public universities.
A native of Alexander City, he is married to JSU alumna Kristi Killingsworth.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
