Texas Southern University's 14^th President James W. Crawford III

The Search for TSU’s Next Leader

During an extensive presidential search, Vice Admiral James W. Crawford III was recommended to the TSU Board of Regents by a dedicated Presidential Search Committee in partnership with the renowned executive search firm WittKieffer. Led by TSU Regent and 1st Vice Chair James Benham and Dr. Edieth Wu, the committee—with the participation of notable figures such as Michael Strahan, Vicki Hollub, Mathew Knowles, and Andrew Card—developed a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates. Through inclusive listening sessions with various stakeholders, the process was designed to ensure the selection of the best candidate to guide Texas Southern University into the future.

Strategic Planner, Academic Leader, and Collaborative Problem Solver

Appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 43rd Judge Advocate General of the Navy, Crawford emerged as a strategic planner and decision maker, serving as the principal uniformed legal counsel to the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Operations. Leading over 2,300 attorneys, paralegals, and civilian staff within the Navy JAG Corps and retiring as a Vice Admiral, he further demonstrated his leadership when, in 2020, he was named the first male President of Felician University. At Felician—a renowned Franciscan Catholic institution with campuses in Lodi and Rutherford, New Jersey—Crawford steered the university through the COVID-19 pandemic and secured $17 million in grants for capital improvements, including key expansions in technology and STEM infrastructure. Today, he also contributes his expertise as part of a priority American Bar Association working group focused on increasing civil participation.

Crawford’s academic credentials underscore his excellence in education leadership. With degrees from prestigious institutions such as the University of North Carolina School of Law, the University of Miami School of Law, and the Naval War College—and recognition as an MIT Geopolitics & Diplomacy Seminar XXI Fellow—he has excelled in transforming educational institutions. As Deputy Judge Advocate General, Crawford was responsible for the Naval Justice School, the Navy’s three-campus legal training institution, where he modernized technical infrastructure and enhanced educational methods. Later, as President of Felician University, he developed and executed a strategic plan focused on long-term capital improvements, diverse student recruitment, and bolstering intercollegiate athletics.

A renowned collaborator and problem solver, Crawford prioritizes innovation and effective communication. He has earned praise for his calm, decisive leadership in high-pressure situations—from serving as the Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the planning of the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound, to leading as a 3-star flag officer in conflict zones to enhancing collaboration on university campuses. Recently, Crawford served as a consultant for Palantir Technologies, advising on software product development that improves targeting precision, protects civilians, and preserves critical infrastructure during armed conflict.

This comprehensive profile highlights Crawford’s role as a strategic planner, academic leader, and collaborative problem solver—attributes that continue to shape his impactful career in education, military justice, and innovative leadership.