Mickey Burnim to retire as Bowie State University president

Burnim to retire after a highly successful tenure at Bowie State University

Bowie State University (BSU) President Mickey Burnim announced his retirement earlier this month, informing students and faculty that he will end his tenure on June 30, 2017.

Burnim has served as president of BSU – Maryland’s oldest historically black college (HBCU) since September 2006.

“It has been a tremendous journey of service through my career of teaching and leading, but the time has come for me to transition to spending more time enjoying my family and serving the higher education and broader communities in more focused and limited ways. There have been many, many wonderful experiences with our students, faculty, and staff which I will forever cherish,” – Burnim wrote in a statement released by his office.

Enrollment Expands

Under his leadership, the university expanded its student base and academic programming. BSU formally inducted its largest-ever freshman class of 950 students.
The university also graduated a record 1,180 students in the 2015 – 2016 academic year, a 27 percent increase since he took over leadership of the school.
BSU has opened 3 new buildings, enhanced its athletics facilities and is set to complete its new state-of-the art science, mathematics, and nursing building in the spring of 2017.
In addition, the university has maintained a sound financial position and exceeded a US$15 million goal for its first comprehensive fundraising campaign, which began in 2008.

Burnim’s remaining goals in his final year of tenure include raising funds to establish the university’s first endowed chair, establishing an office of international programs and launching the cybersecurity national workforce training pilot with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Prior to leading BSU, he had served 11 years as chancellor at Elizabeth City State University; he also served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at North Carolina Central.

A search committee to find his replacement will be announced in the next few weeks.