Notes on numbering: While Averett traces its history to the leadership of Nathan Pennick, first principal of what was originally called Union Female College, John T. Averett was the first man to actually be called President of the school (by then known as Roanoke Female College). In addition, one short term leader - Acting President George Swann (Dec 1902-summer 1903) - had been entirely forgotten until February 2025.
Thus, there have been 29 individuals who have purportedly led or co-led this institution, though only 20 have been referred to by the name 'President.'
Depending on the situation, Averett's leaders can be counted in three different ways:
From at least 1980 (the inauguration of Howard Lee) to 2008 (the inauguration of Tiffany Franks), press releases counted by including all institutional leaders known at the time - thus, Dr. Franks was, at her inauguration, described as the "24th President." By the inauguration of Dr. Joyce in 2025, the institution had begun to count only official Presidents in press releases - thus Dr. Joyce was announced, seemingly paradoxically, as the "15th President."
1858 - 1861: Nathan Penick
1860 - 1863: William Allen Tyree
1863 - 1863: John Cralle Long
1863 - 1872: Isaac Beverly Lake
1866 - 1867: Hannum Winchester Reinhart
1867 - 1872: Thomas Hume, Jr.
1870 - 1873: Arnaud Eduard Preot
1872 - 1873: John Lipscomb Johnson
1872 - 1887: Samuel Wootton Averett
1873 - 1892: John Taylor Averett
1890 - 1892: J.C.C. Dunford (Assistant President)
1892 - 1902: Charles Fenton James
1902 - 1903: George H. Swann (Acting President)
1903 - 1907: Robert Edwin Hatton
1907 - 1914: John Bruce Brewer
1914 - 1917: William Walter Rivers
1917 - 1921: Clayton Edward Crosland
1921 - 1927: James Pressley Craft
1927 - 1936: John Walter Cammack
1936 - 1966: Curtis Vance Bishop
1966 - 1966: Mary Catherine Fugate (Acting President)
1966 - 1979: Conwell Axel Anderson
1980 - 1985: Howard William Lee
1985 - 2002: Frank Ross Campbell
2002 - 2008: Richard Anthony Pfau
2008 - 2024: Tiffany McKillip Franks
2025 January - April: David Joyce
2025 April: Venita Mitchell (Interim President)
2025 May - present: Thomas H. Powell