by Bill Dyer
DANVILLE, VA — Averett University’s Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Tatia Daniels Granger as the 17th president of the university, ushering in a new chapter of leadership and continued commitment to academic excellence and student success.
Dr. Granger will be installed as Averett’s next president on Aug. 1, 2026. She will succeed Dr. Thomas H. Powell, who will resume his retirement July 31 after serving as Averett’s transitional president for the past 15 months.
“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Averett University,” said Emma Maddux Kozlowski, chair of Averett’s Board of Trustees. “The Board is thrilled to welcome Dr. Tatia Granger as our next president. She brings not only an impressive breadth of leadership experience, but also a warmth, authenticity, and collaborative spirit that reflects the very best of Averett. We believe she will inspire our community, strengthen the relationships that define this university, and lead with both courage and compassion. The future is bright, and we cannot wait to see all that we will accomplish together under her leadership.”
Granger brings more than three decades of higher education and leadership experience as both an administrator and faculty member. Most recently, Granger has served as a clinical associate professor in organizational behavior for the College of William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business since 2017 and previously was an adjunct professor with the department for four years. Granger was William & Mary’s inaugural ombuds from 2008-2016.
With her appointment, Granger becomes the second woman to serve as president of Averett and the first black president in the institution’s 167-year history.
“Tatia Granger is a terrific choice to lead Averett at this time,” said Dr. Katherine Rowe, president of William & Mary. “Her years of experience across higher education administration and teaching prepare her to lead with integrity and resourcefulness. Dr. Granger approaches challenges inclusively, cultivating trust and authentic partnerships. She coaches rather than commands, empowering colleagues and students to grow into their own potential while holding a clear and steady vision for the institution. Students, faculty, and staff alike will find that her optimism is contagious, inspiring a shared sense of purpose in everyone around her.”
Originally from the Roanoke Valley, Granger joins the Averett family with her husband, Earl T. Granger III. The couple has two adult daughters. Granger, a graduate of Salem High School, is the daughter of George R. Daniels Jr. and Delores Caldwell Daniels; sister of Gregory and Lamar Daniels; and the granddaughter of the late George R. Sr. and Madge Ferguson Daniels and the late Rev. P. M. and Dora Gibson Caldwell.
Beyond immersing herself in the Averett community, she is looking forward to exploring Danville’s Riverwalk Trails.
