Turning Anguish into Action
As President of North Central University in Minneapolis, Scott Hagan found himself propelled into the national spotlight last year when the university was asked to host George Floyd’s memorial. Chanda sat down to talk to Scott about that experience, his journey to understanding racism on a systemic level, and how he’s trying to use his platform for good.
Scott Hagan
Scott Hagan, Ph.D., is the seventh president of North Central University (NCU) in Minneapolis. He began his role in 2017 after a 30+ year career as a pastor and church planter.
President Hagan is passionate about building healthy diversity in the organizations he serves and the communities in which he lives. He served as an executive member of the Martin Luther King Committee from 2005 to 2017 in Sacramento, California, and in 2011 was awarded the “Difference Maker” award by the MLK Committee of Sacramento for outstanding civic leadership and unity.
After the death of George Floyd, Hagan worked with city leaders and representatives of Floyd’s family to offer the university as a space for the Minneapolis memorial service for Floyd. While giving the invocation at the service, Hagan announced the creation of the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship at NCU to provide opportunities for the next generation of Black leaders at NCU. He challenged college and university presidents across the nation to do the same, saying, “It is time to invest like never before in a new generation of young black Americans, who are poised and ready to take leadership in our nation.” At least 40 scholarships have been created in response to that challenge.
Scott Hagan holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University and a Master of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University. He is a gifted communicator who has published six books, including the bestselling book “The Language Influence and Personal Power,” and more than 60 articles. He regularly speaks at conferences, seminars, churches, and college campuses.
