Mercer University names Penny Elkins as new president

Elkins, a longtime administrator and Mercer alumna, will become the University’s 19th president on January 1, 2026.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Mercer University has selected Penny L. Elkins, Ph.D., as its next president, the school announced Friday.

Elkins, a longtime administrator and Mercer alumna, will become the University’s 19th president on January 1, 2026. She will take over for William D. Underwood, who is stepping down after nearly two decades in the position.

Elkins has spent more than 25 years at Mercer in a variety of leadership roles and currently serves as executive vice president and interim provost. She is also a tenured professor in the Tift College of Education and holds the Fred L. Miles Endowed Chair of Educational Leadership.

Her appointment marks a historic first for the school. Elkins will be the first woman to lead Mercer and the first graduate to hold the presidency since the 1970s.

A 12-member presidential search committee—made up of trustees and chaired by Richard A. “Doc” Schneider—unanimously recommended Elkins before the full board voted.

During her tenure at Mercer, Elkins has overseen enrollment growth, helped establish Mercer’s first doctoral program in educational leadership and led several universitywide initiatives focused on leadership development and global education. Prior to joining higher education administration, she worked as an elementary school teacher and administrator.

Elkins holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mercer, as well as advanced degrees from Georgia College & State University and Georgia State University.

She is married to Jason Elkins, an agency manager with Georgia Farm Bureau. The university has not yet released details on the transition ahead of her start date.