Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) has named Dr. Runell J. King Vice President for Institutional & Sponsored Research, effective March 6, 2023. Dr. King is responsible for providing leadership to the Office of Institutional Research & Data Analytics, Institutional Effectiveness, Sponsored Programs, Title III, and Undergraduate Research. Dr. King will report to SAU President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail. In addition, he will be an advisor on various special projects.

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. King to SAU executive leadership team,” said SAU President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail. “His leadership, versatility, and enthusiasm are what the university needs during this pivotal time.”

Since arriving at SAU in April 2022, Dr. King has served as SAU’s Associate Vice President for Institutional Research. In this role, Dr. King formed the Office of Institutional Research & Data Analytics (OIRA). In just one year, OIRA has reported breakthroughs in SAU’s alumni giving & student-faculty ratios and retention, graduation rates, & social mobility index.

“I am excited to be appointed Vice President of Institutional & Sponsored Research at SAU,” said Dr. King. “This is a tremendous opportunity to contribute my skills and expertise toward advancing this great institution. I am committed and dedicated to supporting the university’s success by overseeing research activities, promoting scholarship, and fostering a culture of innovation. I look forward to working collaboratively with the faculty, staff, and students to achieve our collective goals and ensure that Saint Augustine’s University continues to thrive and grow.”

A native of White Castle, LA, Dr. King is a leading scholar-practitioner in education and social sciences, making significant contributions to understanding educational access, equity, student success, educational policy, the intersections between race, gender, and education, and the school-to-prison pipeline. His primary research focuses on high-achieving, African American male student-athletes at Predominately White institutions. Utilizing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, Dr. King brings transparency to issues surrounding underrepresented and system-impacted student populations across all educational settings. With his commitment to meaningful scholarly work over the years, Dr. King demonstrates his dedication to racial justice through an intersectional approach that seeks to bridge the gap in educational inequity.

Dr. King has shown himself to be an exemplary leader in education, taking on various roles ranging from K-12 to Higher Education. He has contributed invaluable insight as an Academic Coordinator and Principal. In addition, his experience as Executive Director of Admissions & Recruitment speaks volumes about his capacity for assessing talent. Most recently, Dr. King served as Director of Data, Assessment, & Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) at Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA: a testament to his commitment to progress and development in every area of academia.

Dr. King acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Dillard University before continuing his graduate education at Louisiana State, where he earned a Master’s degree in Higher Education Student Affairs Administration, an Education Specialist Certificate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Applied Statistics, and eventually a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Research Methods with a specialization in Applied Statistics. With his wide-reaching education and profound understanding of the changing dynamics of education, Dr. King has become an essential resource for many institutions looking to grow their research capabilities and better address the modern student population.

Dr. King is a shining example of excellence and dedication to his craft. As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., he has proven himself to be an asset to the fraternity by taking on many roles and responsibilities at both the local and national levels. Dr. King’s most notable recognitions include the prestigious 40 Under 40 Award at his alma mater, Dillard University, National Principal Academy Fellow, and Most Outstanding Educator in Urban New Orleans, LA. Through his incredible career accomplishments and tireless dedication to his field, he continues to be an inspirational figure that many look up to and admire.