Glenn Boyce to be named chancellor at Ole Miss

Glen Boyce, 61, will be the University of Mississippi’s next chancellor.

His confirmation was confirmed to the Clarion Ledger by “multiple sources with direct knowledge of the search process,” the paper reported last night. Official word will come in a noon announcement today.

According to those sources, the Institutions of Higher Learning made its decision yesterday after conducting interviews for two days. The process was to take two weeks or longer, making Boyce’s hiring a surprise to many as well as a disappointment.

Boyce was one of two consultants hired to assist in the search process, a fact that brought swift criticism on social media. Another point of contention is that he does not have the academic qualifications of others who had been considered for the post.

“IHL passed over a leader and MS native in UofAz president, president of EKU, and the provost at Auburn to hire the president of Holmes Community College. Oh and he was also the consultant hired to search… for himself apparently,” wrote Blake Milam on Twitter last night.

Previously, Boyce served as president of Holmes Community College for nine years before joining the IHL as associate commissioner. He was the IHL commissioner for three years, retiring from that position in 2018. Boyce holds undergraduate and doctorate degrees from the University of Mississippi and a masters degree from Mississippi College. His doctorate is in education leadership.

Reportedly, more than two dozen names were on the university’s initial list of candidates for the chancellor’s seat. Among those who had expressed interest in the position were politicians such as former U.S. Reps. Gregg Harper and Chip Pickering, state House Speaker Philip Gunn, and former Gov. Ronnie Musgrove. The list also included numerous leaders from colleges and universities across the country.