James H. Ammons

James H. Ammons is an American educator and political scientist who has served as president and/or chancellor of three historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs): North Carolina Central University (NCCU) (president, 2001 - 2007); Florida A&M University (FAMU) (president, 2007–2012); and Southern University at New Orleans (chancellor, 2021–2025). A Florida native, he has received distinguished alumni awards from FAMU and Florida State University, where he received his doctorate degree in political science, and an honorary doctorate degree from Wilberforce University.

Early life and education Ammons was born on December 23, 1952, in Winter Haven, Florida. He has a sister, Patricia A. Salary. At FAMU, he was an Alpha Kappa Mu Scholar. As provost, he led efforts to reestablish the Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando. During his presidency, NCCU was one of the fastest growing institutions in the University of North Carolina System and committed more than $120 million to campus construction projects. He oversaw the West Campus expansion project, the establishment of the Early College High School, and the building of the BRITE (Biomanufacturing Resource Institute and Technology Enterprise) Center on campus. Ammons's contract included the provision that it renewed on a daily basis (essentially making him "president for life"), and guaranteed an annual "performance bonus" of 25 to 35 percent of his $325,000 base salary. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Ammons was the only university president in Florida to have such an "evergreen" contract.

During Ammons’ presidency, FAMU became the first institution in the State University System of Florida to have its financial statements certified by the Board of Governors Office and the State Division of Finance. On July 11, 2012, Ammons announced that he would resign on October 11, 2012; this came several months after university Marching "100" drum major Robert Champion died following a hazing incident. However, on July 16, 2012, members of the Florida A&M University board of trustees voted to make his resignation effective immediately, the day after Champion's parents filed a lawsuit against the university. He was a member of the faculty until 2018. announced that Ammons had accepted the position as the university's new provost and vice president of academic affairs. In July 2016, Ammons announced that he would not accept the appointment at Delaware State, and would remain at FAMU.

Southern University System In 2018, Ammons was named executive vice president and chief academic officer of the Southern University System. On January 8, 2021, he was appointed SUNO's chancellor.

Personal Ammons married his high school sweetheart, Judy Ruffin, who also graduated from Winter Haven High School, 1993—Booth Ferris Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Board and committee memberships The following is a representative list of Ammons' current and former board and committee memberships.

Chair, Editorial Board, University Press of Florida