Rev. Dr. McCorn '88 selected as president-Elect at Paine College

The Morehouse College community celebrates the appointment of Rev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn, Class of 1988, as President-select of Paine College. Known for his transformative leadership in higher education, Dr. McCorn will officially assume the presidency on January 1, 2025.

Dr. McCorn brings a wealth of experience to Paine College, following a distinguished career marked by innovation and institutional growth. Since 2017, he has served as President and Professor of Christian Leadership at Clinton College in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Under his leadership, Clinton College experienced significant advancements, including:

• Adding five new bachelor’s degree programs in Nursing, Cybersecurity, Elementary Education, Interdisciplinary Studies, and the pending Bachelor of Public Health.

• Achieving a 27% increase in student enrollment for Fall 2024.

• Improving student retention by 20% and graduation rates by 25%.

• Establishing a Department of Sponsored Programs and Grants, securing over $20 million in grants and awards.

• Constructing the first Digital Library and Learning Commons at an HBCU (2021), featuring a state-of-the-art Cybersecurity Lab and Nursing Simulation Lab.

• Securing a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund a Cybersecurity program.

A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Dr. McCorn is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. His pastoral career includes serving congregations in Boston, Connecticut, Atlanta, and as Senior Pastor of the historic Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion Church in Baltimore, Maryland, a congregation of 1,500 members.

Michael Thurmond, Chairman of the Paine College Board of Trustees, expressed his confidence in Dr. McCorn’s leadership, stating:
“Dr. McCorn is a proven leader who has demonstrated a clear and concise vision for institutional change, while identifying and executing a comprehensive plan designed to achieve successful student outcomes.”

Dr. McCorn’s appointment continues Morehouse’s legacy of producing visionary leaders who drive change and uplift communities. 
The Morehouse community congratulates Rev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to witnessing his transformative leadership at Paine College.