James H. Ammons is an American educator and political scientist who has served as president and/or chancellor of three historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs): North Carolina Central University (NCCU) (president, 2001 - 2007); Florida A&M University (FAMU) (president, 2007–2012); and Southern University at New Orleans (chancellor, 2021–2025). A Florida native, he has received distinguished alumni awards from FAMU and Florida State University, where he received his doctorate degree in political science, and an honorary doctorate degree from Wilberforce University.
Early life and education Ammons was born on December 23, 1952, in Winter Haven, Florida. He is the only son of James H. Ammons Sr, and Agnes W. Ammons (1921–2006), a care nurse and seamstress. Agnes Ammons, 84. The Ledger. Retrieved May 3, 2025. He has a sister, Patricia A. Salary. His parents divorced when he was young. He lived with his mother and sister in the predominantly black Florence Villa neighborhood of Winter Haven. Up until his senior year of high school, he attended segregated schools. He graduated from Winter Haven High School in 1970.
For college, he attended Florida A&M University (FAMU) on the Thirteen College Curriculum Program, and graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree in Political Science in 1974.Southern University (January 8, 2021). Ammons appointed as Southern University at New Orleans chancellor. Retrieved May 3, 2025. At FAMU, he was an Alpha Kappa Mu Scholar. For graduate school, he attended Florida State University, where received his M.S. in Public Administration in 1975, and Ph.D. in government in 1977. At Florida State, he received a Minority Graduate Fellowship from the American Political Science Association. In 2008, he completed Kellogg School of Management's corporate governance training as part of the business school's executive management program.
Career Ammons began his teaching career in public policy and administration in 1977 as an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida.White, Gary (February 8, 2021). Winter Haven's James Ammons feels revived at New Orleans school. The Ledger.
Florida A&M University, 1983-2001
In 1983, Ammons returned to his undergraduate alma mater, FAMU, as an associate professor of political science. In 1984, he was promoted to the position of assistant vice president for academic affairs. In 1989, he was promoted to associate vice president for academic affairs and also served as director of Title III Programs. He was promoted to the rank of a full professor in 1993.
In 1995, he was named provost and vice president for academic affairs.City Manager's Office (February 5, 2024). {ARCHIVED} Local Hero: James H. Ammons Jr. Ph.D. Winter Haven, Florida. Retrieved May 2, 2025. As provost, he led efforts to reestablish the Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando.
North Carolina Central University Ammons became the ninth chancellor of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) on June 1, 2001. Soaring on the Legacy: A Concise History of North Carolina Central University, 1910 - 2010. North Carolina Central University. 14-16; 59-60. Retrieved April 30, 2025. During his presidency, NCCU was one of the fastest growing institutions in the University of North Carolina System and committed more than $120 million to campus construction projects.Cline, Ned (2005). Community Profile: Bullish on Durham. Already known as a medical center, the home of RTP adds pharmaceuticals to a burgeoning economic base. NC Magazine. Retrieved May 2, 2025. He oversaw the West Campus expansion project, Past Presidents/Chancellors. North Carolina Central University. Retrieved April 30, 2025. the establishment of the Early College High School, and the building of the BRITE (Biomanufacturing Resource Institute and Technology Enterprise) Center on campus. In 2007, he resigned as chancellor to assume the Florida A&M University presidency.
Florida A&M University, 2007-2018 In February 2007, Ammons was named the tenth president of Florida A&M University. Green, Melissa (February 2, 2007). FAMU Names Winter Haven's James Ammons As President. The Ledger. Retrieved May 2, 2025. Ammons's contract included the provision that it renewed on a daily basis (essentially making him "president for life"), and guaranteed an annual "performance bonus" of 25 to 35 percent of his $325,000 base salary. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Ammons was the only university president in Florida to have such an "evergreen" contract.
During Ammons’ presidency, FAMU became the first institution in the State University System of Florida to have its financial statements certified by the Board of Governors Office and the State Division of Finance.Southern Education Foundation (Spring 2010). Still Striving: Trustees and Presidents of Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ Unprecedented Dialogue about Governance and Accreditation. Retrieved May 2, 2025. On July 11, 2012, Ammons announced that he would resign on October 11, 2012; this came several months after university Marching "100" drum major Robert Champion died following a hazing incident. However, on July 16, 2012, members of the Florida A&M University board of trustees voted to make his resignation effective immediately, the day after Champion's parents filed a lawsuit against the university.
After his resignation, Ammons returned to the FAMU political sciences faculty. He was a member of the faculty until 2018.
Delaware State University In May 2016, Delaware State University, the only HBCU in Delaware,Min, Shirley (July 6, 2016). Delaware State’s new provost backs out before starting new gig. WHYY. Retrieved May 3, 2025. announced that Ammons had accepted the position as the university's new provost and vice president of academic affairs.Delaware State University (May 25, 2016). DSU Appoints Dr. James Ammons as New Provost. Retrieved May 3, 2025. In July 2016, Ammons announced that he would not accept the appointment at Delaware State, and would remain at FAMU.News (July 11, 2016). James Ammons Changes His Mind on Becoming Provost at Delaware State University. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. Retrieved May 3, 2025. Reports indicate that his withdrawal from the Delaware State position may be related to investigation into his participation in the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's Black Business Loan Program that awarded a total of $356,000, the largest award in the previous two years, to Ammons Food & Beverage LLC, an entity run by his son, James H. Ammons III.Powers, Scott (July 9, 2016). Former FAMU President James Ammons’ company draws $356K state loan. Florida Politics. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
Southern University System In 2018, Ammons was named executive vice president and chief academic officer of the Southern University System.
From January 2018 to November 2019, he was Executive Vice Chancellor of Southern University and A&M College, the largest school in the Southern University System.
In November 2019, Ammons was named interim chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO). James H. Ammons, Jr., Ph.D. Executive Vice President, Southern University System, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Interim Chancellor, Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA. Southern University. Retrieved April 30, 2025. On January 8, 2021, he was appointed SUNO's chancellor. About the Chancellor: Dr. James H. Ammons, Jr. Southern University at New Orleans. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
Personal Ammons married his high school sweetheart, Judy Ruffin, who also graduated from Winter Haven High School, on June 14, 1975. They have a son, James Ammons III.
Awards and honors
1986—American Council on Education Fellow and a CIGNA Foundation Fellow Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation. Appendix C: Committee Member Biographies. See "Ammons has received numerous awards and honors. He was named an American Council on Education Fellow and a CIGNA Foundation Fellow in 1986–1987, a Booth Ferris Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1993, and a Nissan-Educational Testing Service Fellow in 2000. At FAMU, he has received the 1987 Distinguished Alumni Award and the 1999 Millennium Award." National Library of Medicine. Retrieved May 2, 2025. 1993—Booth Ferris Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1999—Millennium Award, Florida A&M University 2000—Nissan-Educational Testing Service Fellow 2002—Guardian of Our Legacy Award, HBCU College Fair Reunion 2015—Honorary doctorate, Wilberforce UniversityRotary Club of New Orleans October 19, 2022). This Week’s Speaker: Dr. James Ammons. Retrieved May 2, 2025
Board and committee memberships The following is a representative list of Ammons' current and former board and committee memberships.
Chair, Editorial Board, University Press of Florida
References