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.

The chief executive officer of Athens State University is the President. The President is selected by the State Board of Education upon recommendation of the Chancellor, according to the procedures specified by State Board Policy 203.01. These procedures guided the recent Presidential search conducted in 2008.

The Chancellor evaluates the President’s performance according to the State Board Policy and guidelines governing the evaluation of personnel, including the President. Evaluation results are reported to the Board. If the President has served for three years or less, he/she will be evaluated annually. If the President has served for more than three years, he/she shall be evaluated at least biennially. Evaluation results will be used to develop a professional development plan to address any deficiencies identified through the evaluation process. The Chancellor has the authority to employ the services of a third party or other entity to evaluate the President of the institution. Written evaluation results will be made available to the President by the end of the Spring Semester (month of May) of the academic year in which the evaluation is submitted, or within six months of the date of submission, whichever is later. Each evaluation becomes a part of the President’s personnel file, which is maintained in the offices of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education.

The policy, guidelines, and procedures for the evaluation of the President must be reviewed every five years, and the Chancellor has the authority to appoint a committee or committees to conduct this review.