Utica native George E. Ross will return to Mississippi as Alcorn State University’s new president, the College Board announced Tuesday.

The board’s unanimous vote followed a day of meetings and interviews with ASU faculty, staff and students. Ross has spent more than 30 years in higher education, finance and non-profit work.

He comes to Alcorn State from Central Michigan University in East Lansing, where he was vice president for finance and administrative services and treasurer. Before that, he served at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Ala.

&#8220Dr. Ross’ proven record of leadership and experience makes him the right choice to lead Alcorn State University,” Dr. D.E. Magee Jr., a Jackson physician who serves on the College Board and who chaired the Alcorn State Search Committee, said in a press release. &#8220I am confident he will guide the university to the next level of excellence.”

About 3,100 students attend the historically black university in Lorman. Ross follows Dr. Clinton Bristow Jr., who died suddenly in August after 11 years at Alcorn, and he will succeed Interim President Malvin Williams.

A certified public accountant, Ross, 55, received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Michigan State University. He received a Ph.D. in higher education from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and completed post doctoral studies at Harvard University.