New provost has new ideas to advance student, faculty research
By LaTiffany Dean
Abdul Turay has been Tougaloo College’s vice president of academic affairs/provost for only three months, but he has pushed through several proposals designed to improve, strengthen and continue the college’s legacy.
Turay said his priority is to introduce more opportunities for research, international study and exchange programs. He said he is also working to increase the availability of scholarships.
“One thing we need to do is provide more opportunities for students to see Tougaloo as a first-choice institution,” Turay said.
Turay said Tougaloo must realize that this is “a market for highly qualified students, those who finish in the top five of their class and have high ACT scores.”
He said the programs he is supporting would make the college more attractive to high-end students.
“I’ve made research opportunities my top agenda for the college, both for the faculty and students,” he said.
Turay said students would benefit from an overseas experience. “This provides students with immense opportunities to engage in international education,” he said.
Turay also said President Beverly Wade Hogan plans to establish an Office for International Programs, which will be responsible for student exchange and study abroad opportunities.
Hogan could not be reached for comment.
Faculty and students seem pleased with Turay.
“He seems to be sincerely interested in the well-being of the students. I’m impressed, ” said Maria Thomas, Tougaloo’s financial aid director.
Jessecia Johnson of Hollandale, a junior pre-nursing/biology major, agreed.
“He seems really concerned, not only for his job, but for the students also. He’s on the professors tough and we really need that,” Johnson said.
Johnson also said she was pleased with the new programs Turay wants to implement.
Students and faculty said they look forward to a prosperous and successful year.
“I don’t think they could have a better person as provost. You can come in his office anytime of the day, everyday. It doesn’t get any better than that,” Johnson said.
Turay said he is action-oriented.
“Once I notice an issue I would prefer to begin fixing the matter right away than waiting until later,” he said.
Several students have questioned the quality of current students. Others have questioned whether or not there should be a change in entrance requirements. Turay said he will research the issue and possibly consider new criteria for entering Tougaloo. However, he said if criteria are set such as specific ACT/SAT scores, he wants to ensure by the time a student graduates he or she will have advanced intellectually.
“If we bring in a ‘C’ student, our goal is to make that student a ‘B’ student when he or she graduates or make a ‘B’ student an ‘A’ student,” Turay said.
Turay has been putting a structure in place for students to participate in the National Merit Scholars Program, which is a nonprofit organization that conducts two academic competitions for recognition and undergraduate scholarships.
He has also made graduate and professional school another priority. Turay said where there is “63-64 percent of students who go to grad school, I would like to increase that number to 73-74 percent.”
Turay said to make that a reality he is preparing to work with the junior class. He said he will meet with all juniors and seniors to talk to them about applying for scholars programs such as Rhodes and Goldwater where they may possibly qualify for $30,000 to pay for graduate school.
Turay said he made a great choice in selecting Tougaloo. “I was very impressed with the leadership of the president. She is a dynamic leader. Having been under the leadership of several in a lifetime, she’s at the top of my list. I continue to be impressed with Tougaloo daily.”
Before coming to Tougaloo, Turay served at Western Carolina University. He also was a professor at Mississippi State University.
