Ansley A. Abraham, Ph.D., founding director of the SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program, has announced his retirement from the Southern Regional Education Board on July 1 after a 40-year career with the organization. 

Abraham leaves a legacy of profound impact on the lives of graduate students and faculty members. His sustained commitment to, in his words, “dispel education and social myths about who can possess and dispense knowledge” has helped thousands of scholars earn doctoral degrees and contribute to research in STEM fields that strengthen the workforce and economies. 

The SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program works with states and universities to increase the number of students who earn doctorates and become faculty, especially those who are underrepresented in their academic fields. Doctoral fellowships provide financial support, leadership and networking opportunities, and intensive professional development. The program has supported more than 2,200 scholars. Almost 90% of them  complete their doctoral degrees and do so two years faster than the national average, and 80% are employed in education.

Abraham was hired by SREB in 1985 as a research associate to work on college-level entry standards. In 1993, then SREB president Mark Musick appointed him as founding director of the Doctoral Scholars Program.

“A student’s success is earned, and it is a hard road to travel. Dr. Ansley Abraham has encouraged and expected success from students he knew could overcome many challenges,” said Musick. “There is no question that Ansley Abraham is at the heart of the Doctoral Scholars Program’s success.”

“Ansley’s vision and dedication to establish the SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program and the Institute on Teaching and Mentoring paved the way for thousands of students to earn Ph.D.s and become faculty and leaders in higher education,” said Bob Belle, who worked alongside Abraham for decades as the assistant director of the Doctoral Scholars Program. “His accomplishments have been extraordinary and exceptional.”

During his tenure, Abraham has won many awards for his contributions to higher education, including the 2010 John Hope Franklin Award, the 2021 Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

“The opportunity to watch scholars grow, graduate, secure employment in the academy, conduct incredible research, and go on to become leaders at their institutions and in their communities has been an unbelievable privilege that I treasure and embrace with pride,” Abraham said. 

Contact: Beth Day, SREB Communications, at Beth.Day@SREB.org or (770) 315-2041.

The Southern Regional Education Board works with states and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. An interstate compact and a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in Atlanta, SREB was created in 1948 by Southern governors and legislatures to advance education and improve the social and economic life of the region. SREB states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.