Benedict extends Artis’ contract though 2026

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The Benedict College board of trustees has extended president Roslyn Clark Artis’ contract through June 2026.

Artis, the 14th leader and first female president in Benedict’s 148-year history, was appointed in June 2017.

“Since Dr. Artis became president, we have experienced tremendous progress,” said board chairman Charlie W. Johnson in a news release. “We are making substantial changes to enhance Benedict College.”

Benedict lowered tuition this year by 26% and modified its admissions standards, resulting in its largest class of new students in five years and a freshman class that included 182 honors students, according to the release. The college also began offering a Summer Bridge program to help students earn full admission and increased its course offerings to include cybersecurity, music industry and entrepreneurship classes.

The college exceeded this year’s revenue projections and raised nearly $400,000 during its presidential inauguration events as part of a record-breaking fundraising campaign, the release said.  

During Artis’ first year, Benedict played host to an HBCU Economic Competitiveness Summit in collaboration with the White House Initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the United Negro College Fund. The college also worked with the 100 Black Men of America and the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame to lead the HBCU Sustainability Summit.