Dwayne Tucker’s leadership is steering Tennessee State University (TSU) in a positive direction.

Tucker is an alum of the school, having earned a bachelor’s in business management in 1980, according to a press release. He assumed the role of interim president at the university in December 2024, succeeding Ronald Johnson, who was forced to resign. WKRN News 2 reports he also previously led a network of charter schools in the metropolitan area.

Tucker brings experience in human resources and profit and loss for small businesses and Fortune 500 companies, notes the press release. He has also established board of director and compensation committee strategy, governance, and compliance-related programs.

“It’s my pleasure to accept appointment of interim president for our beloved Tennessee State University,” Tucker expressed in the news release. “I also want to thank our board of trustees for their confidence in me as well as the bigger big blue community in terms of their support and unwavering courage for me to take this job.”

In August 2025, Tucker secured a permanent post, becoming the school’s ninth president. His return to the university in a leadership role came at a time when it was reportedly on the verge of a “financial collapse,” according to NewsChannel5 Nashville.

“I would say it’s the beginning of our transformational change at Tennessee State University,” Tucker told NewsChannel5 Nashville. “That’s the number one thing I heard when I first got here. It’s like, how did it happen? Because nobody saw it coming.”

The financial challenges at TSU led some students to live in hotel rooms due to the spending decisions of former administrations, per the outlet. Ads at the Nashville International Airport were cut, the football team no longer resided at a hotel near the Tennessee Titans stadium for home games, and band trips were also slashed.

Between 2023 and 2024, the school received a total of $43 million in emergency funding to remain in operation, NewsChannel5 Nashville reports. Now, thanks to Tucker, the school’s finances have changed. TSU will cap off the year with $13.2 million more than projected. Graduation rates have also increased by 10%, and new dormitories are on the way, notes the outlet.

“What a difference a year makes,” Tucker said.