Sophie L. Gibson is making history in her new role at Saint Augustine’s University (SAU).

As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the Raleigh, NC-based private HBCU lost its appeal for accreditation in March 2025 and entered into a 90-day arbitration process to ensure students graduating through May 2025 would still obtain their diplomas, per ABC 11. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) voted to remove the school from its membership due to financial and governance challenges in December 2023.

SAU’s appeal stemmed from a decision that said it would be removed “from membership for failure to comply with Core Requirement 4.1 (Governing board characteristics), Core Requirement 13.1 (Financial resources), Core Requirement 13.2 (Financial documents), Standard 13.3 (Financial responsibility), Standard 13.4 (Control of finances), Standard 13.5 (Control of sponsored research/external funds) and Standard 13.6 (Federal and state responsibilities) of the Principles of Accreditation,” per ABC 11.

Saint Augustine’s University shared its plans to resolve the matter in a letter, stating it let go of 50% of its employees, conducted four financial audits, reduced its spending — which led to $17 million in savings — and secured a $7 million loan from Gothic Ventures.

Benjamin Johnson, an alum who is the chair of the Save SAU Coalition, a nonprofit that has remained abreast of the school’s situation, stated that there was interest from more donors; however, they refuse to donate “as long as that Board (of Trustees) is there,” according to ABC 11.

Turning A New Leaf

Now, Gibson has been appointed chair of the Saint Augustine’s University Board of Trustees, ABC 11 reported in a separate article. She is the first woman to chair the board in the school’s history. She succeeds Chair Brian A. Boulware, who stepped down and will now serve as a trustee, per ABC 11.

Her appointment comes as the university also scored a victory in its fight to maintain its accreditation. It obtained a preliminary injunction, which was filed on Friday, allowing classes to begin virtually on Sept. 2, as stated by Higher Ed Dive. The National Alumni Association of Saint Augustine’s University supported the injunction, making a $100,000 donation to cover the filing, as indicated by ABC 11.

A week ago, SAU sued the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, stating its revocation was “unsupported by the evidence,” mentions Higher Ed Dive.

“We are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support from our alumni and friends. Their commitment ensured we had the resources to take this crucial legal step to protect our students and our mission,” said Gibson in a statement, according to ABC 11.

“This injunction is not just a legal reprieve; it is a testament to the power of the Falcon community. It allows us to continue educating our students without interruption as we vigorously defend SAU’s future in court, and it shows that we soar higher when we soar together. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide education grounded in integrity, faith, and excellence — now with renewed optimism that SAU’s accreditation and legacy will endure,” Gibson continued.