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Leonard Spearman was appointed Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) on June 4, 2001. In this role, Spearman serves as the designated federal official advising the secretary of education on strengthening our nation's HBCUs and on advancing the opportunities for HBCUs to fully participate in federally supported programs.
Spearman, a graduate of Florida A&M University, served as professor of psychology and dean of the junior division, Southern University-Baton Rouge. He also served as president of Texas Southern University-Houston. He holds the distinction of becoming the first former president of an HBCU to be appointed as Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Spearman previously served in the U.S. Department of Education as associate deputy secretary of the office of postsecondary education, directing the nation's student assistance and TRIO programs. In 1993, the National Association for Student Financial Assistance recognized him as one of America's 25 most influential leaders in the crafting of higher education legislation, especially that designed to aid disadvantaged students. Spearman was named as the 2002 recipient of the King Legacy Award for International Service, presented by the National Council of Negro Women. He has received proclamations commending him for his contributions to higher education from the state senates of Florida and Texas. Spearman has served as distinguished professor at Coppin State College and Texas Southern University, both HBCUs.
The Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents has designated the Leonard H.O. Spearman Technology Building in recognition of his years of service as president of TSU and his contributions to America as an educator and a diplomat. A ceremony dedicating the building to Spearman is to be held on March 3, 2003. President George Bush appointed Spearman to serve as U.S. Ambassador in the Republic of Rwanda (1991) and in the Kingdom of Lesotho (1993). During his tenure, he established American schools in both countries and served as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Kingdom of Lesotho cited Spearman as one of its most effective envoys.
Spearman has served on the board of directors for many organizations, including the Board for International Food and Agricultural Development, the American Council of Education, and the Association of Black American Ambassadors. From 1993-2001 Spearman served as Chair, Rural Electrification for African Development, a nonprofit organization furthering the use of solar technology in the villages of Africa. He was awarded the Globe Energy Award 2000 for the paper he wrote in collaboration with Gary Jones, Promoting Sustainable Development in South Africa. He has written and lectured widely on the education of minorities.
Spearman received his undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University and his master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan.
This page last modified—June 24, 2003 (jer).
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