Showing posts with label ev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn named president of Paine College. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn named president of Paine College. Show all posts

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Rev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn named president of HBCU, Paine College

The Board of Trustees of Paine College is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn as President-select. Known for his transformational leadership in higher education, Dr. McCorn brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Paine College. McCorn will assume the presidency of the college on January 1, 2025.

Since 2017, McCorn has served as President and Professor of Christian Leadership at Clinton College located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He served as pastor of churches in Boston, Connecticut, Atlanta and as Senior Pastor of the Historic 1,500-member Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

A native of Worchester, Massachusetts, McCorn earned a Doctor of Ministry from the United Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH) in 2011; a Master of Arts from Chicago Theological Seminary (Chicago, ILL) in 2003; a Master of Divinity Studies from Yale University School of Divinity (New Haven, CT) in 1999; a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Charter Oak State College (Newington, CT) in 2001; and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Sociology from Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA) in 1989.

 During McCorn's seven-year tenure as president of Clinton College, the institution:

  • Added five new bachelor's degrees: Nursing, Cybersecurity, Elementary Education, Interdisciplinary Studies and pending a Bachelor of Public Health (BPH)
  • Increased student enrollment by 27% in fall 2024
  • Improved student retention by 20% and graduation rates by 25%
  • Established a Department of Sponsored Programs and Grants and secured over $20 million in grants and awards
  • Granted $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund a Cybersecurity program
  • Constructed the first Digital Library and Learning Commons at an HBCU (2021) with a state-of-the-art Cybersecurity Lab and a new Academic Center for Excellence, with faculty offices, writing lab and a new Nursing Simulation Lab
  • Earned ten years accrediting reaffirmation by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), with no recommendations, findings, or suggestions in 2023

 McCorn is married to Mrs. Charlene M. McCorn, an elementary school teacher in Fort Mill, South Carolina. They are the proud parents of four adult children and five grandchildren. He is a proud Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.


Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones, outgoing president, recently retired after 31 years of distinguished service at Paine. Dr. Jones played a pivotal role in the development of the Transformation Plan that will carry forward under the leadership of President-select McCorn. She is committed to working with the Board of Trustees to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.

Although formal introductions commenced with students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and local business leaders on October 18th, the College will organize additional focus group meetings with the campus family, stakeholders, business and community leaders, to share in the excitement of this new chapter in the history of the Institution. President-select McCorn will host a series of listening sessions designed to gather feedback from constituents and community partners to chart a course for Paine College.