As you may have already heard, James W. Crawford III, has been named the sole finalist to become the next president of Texas Southern University (TSU). Thus, the university is now ready to move forward into its next chapter after the departure of the school’s last CEO, Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young.
“I applaud the work of the Presidential Search Committee in identifying an extraordinary leader who will shepherd Texas Southern University during such a consequential time for higher education,” said Brandon L. Simmons, chairman of TSU’s Board of Regents, while officially announcing the news. “Jim Crawford has served students as a university president and board member. He has served as one of our country’s top lawyers as Vice Admiral and Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Navy, where he advised presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He is a husband and father of twin sons. Texas Southern is proud to deliver leadership focused on preparing graduates to flourish in a thriving Texas economy.”
Students at TSU jumped at the opportunity to speak with Crawford and learn about his vision for the university.
“Texas Southern University will be a place that’s enduring, vibrant, inclusive, welcoming and a resilient place of creativity and learning that will be fostered by excellence in teaching, scholarship and research,” said Crawford. “We will be focused on using a defined framework of experimental and a culture of action so that we are moving with speed to achieve excellence in our decision-making in what we do to make the lives of students better. All of that is to create a tailored and immersive educational developmental experience for the students.”
Crawford comes to Texas Southern from Felician University, where he served as president for nearly two years after filling the role of interim president of the university for nine months. Since his appointment in June 2021, Crawford made numerous contributions to Felician including overseeing the completion of the Wellness and Recreation Center and other large capital projects, as well as the creation of the STEM Center in Kirby Hall on the Lodi campus. Crawford’s higher education experience includes service on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Belmont Abbey College.
An experienced leader, Crawford served in the United States Navy for more than 30 years, retiring as a Vice Admiral and its 43rd Judge Advocate General (JAG). He has served as the head of the Naval Legal Service Command, legal counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and commander of NATO Rule of Law Field Support, Afghanistan. Crawford served under six presidents. He was a trusted voice for the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and Secretaries of Defense Robert M. Gates and Leon Panetta.
As the Judge Advocate General of the Navy, Crawford led 2,400 judge advocates, enlisted employees, and civilian employees of the Navy’s global legal organization. He is the recipient of numerous military awards, including two Distinguished Service Medals.
Crawford balked on giving his projection for where he sees TSU headed in the near future, choosing rather to focus on integrating himself into the TSU family and collaborating with the school’s board after picking the brains of TSU students for their ideas and perspectives.
Crawford told one TSU student: “I like to sit down and talk with students and have meals with you and collaborate. Because you’ve got ideas. You think differently than I do. You come from a different generation. You’ve experienced different things than I’ve experienced. So, you see through a different lens than I do. And I want to leverage that difference. Because there’s goodness in that. And I want to leverage that flavor, how I think and how we think as an institutional family about progress and enduring excellence.”
Crawford, a native of Charlotte, NC, told one TSU student there’s no place he’d rather be than TSU for personal reasons.
“I see echoes of myself when I look at this student body. And I can look in your face and I can tell you’ve got big dreams. You know where you want to go. It’s up to us to help you get there… And that’s what brings me here, to be a part of seeing you turn that dream into a reality. And to be there and see that, that will bring joy to me.”
Crawford graduated from Belmont Abbey College and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Carolina. He holds a Master of Laws degree in ocean and coastal law from the University of Miami, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. He was named an MIT Seminar XXI Fellow.
Crawford has also served on Boards of Directors for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Lucy’s Hearth, and the Church of the Nativity. He is married to the former Elizabeth Ann Goncalo, and they have 16-year-old twin sons.
Under state law, university governing boards must name finalists for president at least 21 days before making an appointment. The Board of Regents will meet again to make the appointment, and TSU expects Crawford to begin his new duties later this month.
Endorsements of James W. Crawford
James Benham, TSU Board of Regents Vice Chair & Chair of Presidential Search Committee
Given the current challenges and opportunities that exist across higher education, we knew that leading Texas Southern University forward at this time would require a candidate with very specific credentials. If you look at James Crawford’s accomplishments, leadership, and track record for success both from serving his country and in higher education, we are confident he embodies the ideal set of qualities we all strived to fulfill with this search. James’ illustrious career as one of the highest-ranking attorneys in the country, while overseeing a substantial team of professionals will serve our university and law school well into the future.
Admiral Michael Glenn Mullen, Former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Jim Crawford is an extraordinary leader and person who cares deeply about young people and their education. I have worked with him on some of the most complex issues in the world. He is a man of superb character and a leader of matchless capability. The sky is the limit.
Admiral John M. Richardson, Former Chief of Naval Operations
When I was the Chief of the U.S. Navy, Vice Admiral Jim Crawford was my Judge Advocate General. But he was far more than that – I came to trust him as one of my closest advisors. His moral judgement is impeccable, and he helped me navigate through some very challenging issues in national security. Jim Crawford is the absolute best.
Chris Swenson, Former Chairman & 8-year Member of Felician University’s Board of Trustees
James Crawford was an absolutely inspirational figure for our students, faculty, and staff at Felician University. He served our country brilliantly and brought the same focus on mission and service to our school. In the time he was with us, he helped us tremendously.
