Central State University (CSU) officially swore in its first female president, Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond, at an inaugural ceremony, March 7.

Jackson-Hammond, now becomes the university's eighth president in its 126-year history. She will take over the job from the former university President John Garland in July. Garland announced his retirement from his alma mater last September and will leave Central State University June 30.

Prior to taking up this post, Jackson-Hammond was a lead consultant for H&H Educational Consultants where she worked on strategic planning, curriculum design, accreditation and standards-based assessments.

Jackson-Hammond began her professional career as an instructor/coordinator of developmental reading at the University of Louisiana, 1987, and served as the dean of the School of Education and Human Performance at Winston-Salem State University for seven years.

She was also a provost and vice president of academic affairs at Coppin State University where she undertook many initiatives including the establishment of the Center for Undergraduate Research.

"From a total of 51 candidates, Dr. Hammond was one of four presented to the Central State University Board of Trustees in late April by the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. The Committee was comprised of faculty, students and alumni," said Gary Dowdell, Chair of the Central State University Board of Trustees, in a statement. "Our goal was to select a leader who would build on the accomplishments of John W. Garland who led the University for 15 years."

Jackson-Hammond completed her undergraduate degree in communications arts and English from Gambling State University; masters in communications and education counseling from the University of Louisiana and got a Doctorate from Grambling State in Developmental Education along with Curriculum and Instruction and Student Personnel Services.