The Presidents Collection encompasses the papers, administrative documents, and other materials from offices of past CSU presidents. The founding president Dr. Harry S. Downs of Clayton Junior College, starting in 1969, led the institution from a two-year college to a four-year institution in 1986 when the college received its baccalaureate status becoming Clayton State College. Upon Dr. Downs' retirement in January 1994, Dr. Richard A. Skinner became the institution's second president and helped transition the school to university status as Clayton College & State University in 1996. Upon Skinner’s departure in June of 1999 Michael F. Vollmer, Vice President of Fiscal Affairs, served as Interim President until the selection of Dr. Thomas K. Harden, becoming the third president of the University in June 2000. In December 2008 Dr. Harden was named chancellor of the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Thomas J. Hynes was named interim president in May 2009 and then was announced as president of Clayton State University on February 9, 2010. Dr. Hynes served until he retired in June 2021. Dr. T. Ramon Stuart became the first African American to serve as President of the University, taking office in July 2021 and leading the institution through the end of COVID restrictions. In April 2022, Dr. Stuart resigns from the position of President starting a search for a new leader of the institution. Kerry Heyward was announced as interim president and served from April 2022 to January 2023. Dr. Georj Lewis became the second African American to serve as president of the University taking office on February 1, 2023. Specific areas of this collection are currently restricted due to the nature of records and overall collection processing activities.