Dr. Tracy M. Cook has spent more than 25 years lifting up students, campuses and the historically Black institutions that shaped his own path.

The HBCU Campaign Fund has named Cook, president of Alcorn State University, to The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2027. He joins the organization’s Tenth Class Honors, a distinction reserved for leaders who have moved their institutions forward and kept them there.

The honor recognizes sustained leadership. It also points to something harder to measure — a long, steady commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Cook became the 21st president of Alcorn State in 2024, stepping into the permanent role after serving as interim president.

He began with more than two decades in education administration and student affairs leadership.

Under his watch, Alcorn State has sharpened its academic mission, leaned deeper into community engagement and widened the paths students take toward graduation and beyond.

According to its press release, The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders Award & Class  is a national recognition created by the HBCU Campaign Fund. Each year it honors 10 chancellors, presidents and sports-affiliated leaders serving at or connected to HBCUs and minority-serving institutions (MSIs).

“HBCU leadership requires vision, resilience and an unwavering commitment to students and communities,” said Demetrius Johnson Jr., founder, president and CEO of the HBCU Campaign Fund. “Dr. Cook exemplifies these qualities through his leadership at Alcorn State and his continued work to strengthen one of the nation’s most historic HBCUs.”

An alumnus, he has held several leadership posts at the university, including vice president for student affairs and enrollment management and chief of staff.

His career in education is expansive serving in several roles from superintendent to classroom teacher.

The Tenth Class marks 10 years of spotlighting leadership across the HBCU and MSI communities.

Since the program began, the recognition has lifted up leaders whose influence reaches past their own campuses and into the broader work of higher education.

Cook joins a distinguished group of honorees. Their leadership, the fund says, continues to help define what comes next for HBCUs.

The HBCU Campaign Fund will announce additional selections for the Tenth Class Honors in the months ahead. The complete Tenth Class of The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2027 will be revealed in early 2027.