Education 2025: ABDULLAH, MAKOLA M.

A scan of Abdullah’s accomplishments since joining the public, historically Black university in 2016 makes clear why his résumé includes so many accolades, prestigious board appointments and spots on top 10 and “best of” lists — not to mention a multimillion-dollar contract to stay on as president through 2029.

Under his leadership, VSU has seen enrollment grow more than 22% to more than 5,600 students, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

The 142-year-old university has an unprecedented number of capital projects underway, including a 30,000-square-foot admissions building, a research and cooperative extension facility, improvements to Rogers Stadium and the new

$120 million Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons. In February, VSU earned the prestigious designation of an R2 “High Research Activity” institution, placing it among only 139 U.S. universities and fewer than 15 HBCUs.

The Chicago native earned a degree in civil engineering from Howard University and master’s and doctoral degrees from Northwestern University. Abdullah also served on former President Joe Biden’s HBCU advisory board and is former chair of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities board.

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