Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert

Dr. JoAnn W. Haysbert was appointed fifteenth president of Langston University in August 2005 by the Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University and the A&M Colleges. This appointment distinguishes her as the first African-American female president of an institution of higher education in the state of Oklahoma.

A seasoned administrator who leads by example, Dr. Haysbert has amassed a stellar list of credentials during her more than thirty years as an academician and higher education administrator. She came to Langston University after a long and successful 25-year tenure at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. During her time there, her superior administrative skills and scholastic acumen resulted in her serving in several key positions, including acting president, provost, assistant provost, professor and coordinator of graduate programs in education, dean of freshman studies, assistant vice president for academic affairs, director of summer sessions, and director of the assessment and learning support center.

She has also held positions at Virginia State University, Auburn University and Alexander City State Junior College.

Dr. Haysbert eared a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Johnson C. Smith University, and a master’s and a doctoral degree in administration and supervision in higher education from Auburn University. She also studied at California State University in San Jose, and earned a certificate for educational management from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.