The BIG Campaign

President Mickey L. Burnim
Dr. Mickey L. Burnim, a native of Teague, Texas, became President of Bowie State University on September 1, 2006. Within a few weeks of his arrival, he established a committee to review and enhance the University’s strategic plan and created a communications task force to enhance University communications. During his short tenure at Bowie State, Dr. Burnim can be credited with a redesigned University web page, technology enhanced communications, revitalization of shared governance, the implementation of the President’s Staff Awards, and a lower fee structure for graduate students. Dr. Burnim has made numerous appearances “telling the Bowie State Story.” His vigor in championing the cause of Bowie State University has generated new vitality on the campus and increased charitable giving to the University.

Prior to arriving at Bowie State University, Dr. Burnim served as Chancellor for 11 years at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) and was the eighth chief executive officer of ECSU. A few of his significant accomplishments at ECSU include the University’s first two endowed professorships, the University’s first three master’s degree programs, several new baccalaureate degree programs, a joint pharmacy program in partnership with the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and the largest construction and renovation project ($46.3 million) ever undertaken at ECSU.

Other higher education experiences include service as provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at North Carolina Central University, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs in the General Administration of The University of North Carolina, and a faculty member and researcher at Florida State University. Additionally, Dr. Burnim has served as a staff economist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Dr. Burnim has three earned degrees in economics—a bachelor’s and a master’s from the University of North Texas and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. His fields of specialization are public finance and labor economics. He has written papers and published articles in these areas.

Dr. Burnim serves on numerous local and national boards. He is the immediate past chairman of the Board of Directors for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA); he serves nationally on the Board of Directors for the National Association For Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), the Board of Directors for the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the American Council on Education Commission on Advancement of Racial and Ethnic Equity, and the System and Computer Technology (SCT) Executive Advisory Council.