President Makola M. Abdullah, Ph.D.​

Dr. Abdullah, President of Virginia State University (VSU), is an academic administrator committed to excellence. He is also an internationally-renowned educator recognized for outstanding research. Prior to his appointment as president of VSU, Abdullah served as provost and senior vice president at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL, (2013-2016), provost and vice president for academic affairs at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, FL, (2011-2013), and dean and director of 1890 land grant programs at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, FL, (2008-2011).​

​Abdullah is a Chicago native. He earned his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Howard University and his doctorate and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Northwestern University. He is the youngest African American to receive a Ph.D. in engineering.