Athens State University (ASU) is the only upper-division university in the Alabama Community College System (ACCS). As a member of the ACCS, Athens State operates under the authority of the Alabama State Board of Education upon recommendations from the Chancellor, who serves as the chief executive officer of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education.

Members of the Alabama State Board of Education are elected public officials. As such, the actions of the members of the State Board are subject to the provisions of the Legislative Code of Alabama. In particular, Board members are subject to the Code of Alabama, Section 16-3-4, which allows the Governor to remove any appointive member of the Board for immorality, misconduct in office, incompetency or willful neglect of duty. In removing a member, the Governor must furnish the member with a copy of the charges against the member, and must give the member an opportunity of being heard publicly in person or by counsel in his own defense. If any member is removed, the Governor must file a complete statement of all charges against the member, together with a complete record of the proceedings, in the office of the Secretary of State.