Dr. George E. Ross, expected to take over as the 17th president of Alcorn State University next month, has been diagnosed with leukemia and is undergoing treatment in a Michigan hospital, the College Board announced Tuesday.

The impact of Tuesday’s announcement is uncertain, said Alcorn spokesman Christopher Cason. Interim president Malvin Williams will continue to lead the university through June, said Cason. Williams has been interim president since the death of former president Clinton Bristow Jr., who died of an apparent heart attack while jogging on campus last August.

Ross, 55, and a Utica native, was chosen by the College Board on April 3 to lead the 3,100-student school with its main campus in Lorman and operations in Natchez and Vicksburg. His official starting date in Mississippi is July 2.

Ross has been serving as vice president of finance and administrative services at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant.

&#8220Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family,” Cason said. College Board spokesman Annie Mitchell also expressed sympathies on behalf of the board.

In a statement released Tuesday, Commissioner of Higher Education Thomas C. Meredith said, &#8220We are deeply distressed about the news concerning Dr. Ross. We join with the Central Michigan community in offering our prayers for Dr. Ross and his wife, Elizabeth, for a full recovery.”

Ross has more than 30 years’ experience in higher education. He has served in administrative roles at Clark Atlanta University and Tuskegee University.

He was hospitalized earlier this week in Ann Arbor, said Central Michigan spokesman Steve Smith. Ross has asked for privacy regarding his condition and &#8220we’re respecting his request,” said Smith.