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For the first time since its creation in 1980, the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) has an executive director who is a former president of an HBCU. Leonard Spearman, former president of Texas Southern University and a former ambassador to two African countries, is the new executive director of the initiative.

"President Bush appointed Ambassador Spearman because he is uniquely qualified to lead the initiative and be an effective advocate for historically black colleges and universities," said U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige. "His knowledge of the challenges that HBCUs face and his broad range of experience in government and education make him a valuable member of our team."

On Feb. 12, President Bush signed Executive Order 13256 establishing the presidentially appointed board of advisors as well as a White House Initiative on HBCUs, located in the education department's office of the secretary. The initiative provides staff and support for the HBCU board of advisors and assists the secretary as the liaison between the executive branch and the HBCUs. The initiative also works with some 30 federal agencies to increase the ability of HBCUs to successfully compete for federal grants, contracts or federally sponsored programs.

Spearman served as president of Texas Southern University in Houston from 1980 to 1988, where he led initiatives to accredit the schools of law and pharmacy, to accredit its MBA degree program, and to expand university resources and facilities. He also served on then-Governor Bill Clements's blue ribbon task force for the desegregation of Texas colleges and universities.

In 1988, President Reagan appointed Spearman as U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda, where he served until 1991 when he was appointed the ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho. Among his many accomplishments was establishing American schools in Rwanda and Lesotho.

A former Tallahassee high school science teacher and associate professor at Florida A&M University (1950-60), Spearman served as professor and dean of the lower division of Southern University-Baton Rouge, which he established to help entering students transition to a collegiate environment (1960-70).

In 1970, Spearman joined the federal government, rising to the rank of associate deputy assistant secretary for postsecondary education (1979) at the then-Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW). In this capacity, he administered more than 22 federal programs, including the federal TRIO programs, which help disadvantaged students prepare for and succeed in college. Other programs under his direction strengthened institutions such as HBCUs and supported international education. In 1978, he was presented with HEW's distinguished service award for management excellence. Spearman remained in federal service until becoming president of Texas Southern in 1980.

The recipient of six honorary degrees, Spearman has served on numerous boards and organizations and is widely published. He earned his bachelor's degree in biological sciences at Florida A & M University. He has a master's degree and doctorate in psychology and education from the University of Michigan.

He and his wife Valeria reside in Washington, D.C. They have three children and five grandchildren.

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