John K. Pierre

John K. Pierre serves as the Chancellor of Southern University and A&M College, a position he assumed in July 2024 after leading the Southern University Law Center as Chancellor from 2016 to spring 2024. His career spans over three decades in legal education and administration, marked by advocacy for innovation, diversity, and racial justice in higher education and the legal profession.

His educational background includes:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern University (1980)
• Master’s degree in tax accounting from Texas Tech University (1982)
• Juris doctor from Southern Methodist University School of Law (1985)

Chancellor Pierre's scholarly expertise centers on tax law, commercial law, real estate law, and government law, with significant contributions to civil rights through landmark litigation. His research integrates practical legal applications with social justice, evident in publications spanning legal journals, law reviews, and magazine features addressing systemic inequities in education and disaster response.

His distinguished recognition includes:

• Educator of the Year from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
• Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders from The HBCU Campaign Fund
• Distinguished Alumni from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
• Multiple honors from Hampton University, the Baton Rouge Bar Association, and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus

As an educator, Chancellor Pierre mentored law students across institutions including Southern University Law Center, California State University, and Loyola University Law School. He actively shapes national discourse through panels with the Peggy Browning Fund and Thurgood Marshall College Fund, emphasizing access to legal education and community-centered policy solutions.