FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky State University (KSU) President Dr. M. Christopher Brown II resigned from his position on Tuesday, effective immediately. KSU Board of Regents accepted his resignation at a special called board meeting. Brown became KSU's 18th president in 2017 after serving in leadership roles at historically Black colleges and universities in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The board named Clara Ross Stamps, KSU's senior vice president for Brand Identity and University Relations, as acting president, according to a release from the university.

Clara Ross Stamps. (Kentucky State University)

“The board accepts Dr. Brown’s resignation and supports the current administration as they ready to engage with students, parents and campus stakeholders for the fall semester,” said Dr. Elaine Farris, chairperson of the board. “We anticipate a cordial, collaborative and seamless transition and wish Dr. Brown well as he follows his interest in other professional endeavors.”

Spectrum News 1 spoke with Gov. Andy Beshear at an event in Shelbyville, and he said members of the board of regents had expressed concerns about Dr. Brown over the past weeks.

"Well, certainly in the last several weeks we’ve heard concerns the regents that are charged with the ultimate oversight with that university, Beshear said. He added, "Today, we saw the resignation of the current president and it being publicly aired that there are real concerns over finances. "

Beshear went on to say that his Council for Postsecondary Education will be given additional powers to work with the regents on an audit, which Beshear promised would be transparent to the public. Brown became KSU’s 18th president in 2017.

KSU is Kentucky’s only public historically Black university. Beshear added it is most important that KSU is strong moving forward so it can serve students from across the commonwealth.

Stamps was unanimously selected to serve as acting president "to assure continuity of operations," said the release. She also serves as the university's official spokesperson.

The board will discuss details on the search process for KSU's next president at its Sept. quarterly meeting. 

Stamps also introduced Gregory Rush as the institution's next vice president for Finance and Administration/CFO.

“As the Kentucky State University community comes together, with a renewed appreciation for our collegiate campus atmosphere and a commitment to our core mission and values, I am humbled and energized by the opportunity to serve our students and community following what has certainly been a time of unprecedented change. I pledge to labor with our faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters, and will be accessible, transparent, accountable, and communicative, so together we can positively impact the lives of our students and society while advancing Kentucky State onward and upward,” said Stamps.