Dr. Sandra J. Jordan, the chancellor of USC Aiken, was elected that president of the Southern University Conference on April 12.
The purpose of the conference as stated in its constitution is consideration of "matters pertaining to upper division of college work, to graduate work, and to all common interest of its members."
Membership is by invitation only.
At the conference's annual meeting, members discuss the progress of education, higher-education leadership, and the formulation of strategic decisions intended to strengthen the profession and support student learning.
Organized in 1924,the first president of the conference was W.P. Few, of Duke University, who was succeeded by Chancellor J.H. Kirkland, of Vanderbilt University.
Jordan was president-elect of the conference in 2014-15 and follows the immediate past president, Chancellor Ken Starr, of Baylor University.
The conference has 33 members, including Centre College, Elon University, Furman University, Wofford College, Mercer University and Emory and Henry College.
At the commencement ceremony in May, Jordan will complete her third year as the fourth chancellor of USCA.