About Dr. Perkins

Perkins continues to work diligently to increase cooperation between Virginia Union University and the Greater Richmond business and church community. He created the Virginia Union University Scholarship Gala and Masquerade Ball, hosted by Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones. In 2015, the gala and the promotion of a major comprehensive 150th Anniversary campaign highlighting Virginia Union to the commonwealth and the nation resulted in annual donations exceeding $6 million, which exceeded annual giving for the last 18 years.

Perkins has completed a new five-year strategic plan for the University and recently completed construction of the first residential facility on the Virginia Union campus in the last 45 years. In his honor, the Virginia Union University Board of Trustees named the new $17.7 million building the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center. Under his leadership, Virginia Union has added faculty and new academic programs, including new graduate programs in Christian Education and Curriculum and Instruction, a new fine arts program and Centers for the Study of the Urban Child, International Studies and Small Business Development.

Perkins is responsible for more than $12 million in campus improvements during his tenure as president, including new chemistry and biology labs, fitness center, all new student furnishings in Storer Hall, and a total facelift for Wall Auditorium. In addition, Perkins restored the Virginia Union Concert Choir and University Band, hired the second full¬time head women's basketball coach, first full-time track coach, and the first female director of bands.

Perkins' successful efforts to get the university fully accredited have led to numerous   accolades for the university; including designation by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Best Regional Colleges. Perkins' support of faculty and students has led to an   increase in faculty publications and student learning experiences. The first Fulbright Scholar under his presidency was recently completed and a new partnership with Meharry Medical College has created substantial opportunities for Virginia Union's science majors.

Because of his ardent support of the value added proposition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Perkins is in demand as a national spokesperson. He served as the keynote speaker for the 32nd Annual UNCF Martin Luther King Day Breakfast. He joined several other HBCU presidents for an HBCU Panel Discussion at the City Club of Cleveland in June of 2015, and in November of 2015 he participated in an HBCU Presidents Panel in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Virginia Union University. Perkins was also a panelist at the National Action Network Annual Conference. ln addition, he has been interviewed by National Public Radio, WRIC-TV, WTVR-TV, and WWBT-TV.

Perkins' commitment to serving the community has led to record-breaking hours of student volunteer service in the Richmond metro area. Virginia Union has been honored by President Barack Obama with placement on the Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll four times during Perkins' presidency. He expands his leadership role throughout the Greater Richmond community and beyond, serving as a past member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Richmond's Future, and chairperson of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's (CIAA) Board of Directors.

Currently, Perkins serves on the Executive Committee of Venture Richmond, and the Steering Committee of Future of Richmond's Past. He is a member of the SunTrust Bank Mid-Atlantic Advisory Board, Richmond Management RoundTable, and Bridging Richmond. In addition, Perkins serves on the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Corporate Board of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

Perkins brings an impressive record of academic leadership to Virginia Union. He served as Professor of Educational Leadership, Graduate Dean and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Albany State University in Albany; Georgia. As the chief academic officer for graduate education, he was responsible for the granting of degrees in 13 areas of study, including education, business, criminal justice, public administration, and nursing education. Perkins also provided leadership in establishing international education programs in Kenya, Brazil, Jamaica, South Africa and volunteer programs in Europe and Asia through the "Camp Adventure" Program. He serves as the chief administrative officer of the African Educational Research Network (AERN) and publisher of the international journal, The Symposium. He was the founding director of the Center for Educational Leadership at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he also carried tenure status as a full professor.

Perkins was the first African American to serve as Superintendent of Schools in Clark County, NV, which includes Las Vegas, the 5th largest school district in the nation. The Clark County School Board honored him for his work with the naming of the $25 million Dr. Claude Grandford Perkins Elementary School. Perkins also served as Superintendent of Schools in Kansas City, MO, and Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the City of Richmond, VA. In addition, he was appointed by the Governor of the State of Nevada to serve as the State Director (Secretary) of Commerce in 1982 with oversight responsibility of billions of dollars in state assets.

Perkins earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree from The Ohio University, Master of Arts degree from Purdue University, and Bachelor of Science degree from   Mississippi Valley State University. He has completed further study at Vanderbilt University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Oklahoma State University.

In 2015, he was the recipient of the prestigious Richmond Times Dispatch Top 10 Person of the Year. Also, Perkins was designated by Dominion Resources and the Library of Virginia as one of the eight Strong Men and Women of African American Leaders in Virginia in 2016. In the same year, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Office of the President of the United States by President Barack Obama.

In 2017 after delivering the Commencement speech to the graduates, Dr. Perkins was awarded the university's highest honor, The Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Dr. Perkins was the 65th Commencement speaker at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU). The university also in his honor named the auditorium after him located in the new William W. Sutton Administration Building, The Claude G. Perkins Auditorium.

The father of two sons and one daughter, Perkins is married to Cheryl Elizabeth Perkins.