Dr. Kenneth Cooper Alexander is actively engaged in practical work and scholarly pursuits in leadership, politics, and public service. His scholarship focuses on leadership in diverse settings, with an emphasis on nontraditional forms of leadership and the dynamics of power, influence, and information within leader-follower relationships.
As a guest columnist and the author of "Persistence: Evelyn Butts and the African American Quest for Full Citizenship and Self-Determination," Dr. Alexander sheds light on the African American struggle for equal rights and self-governance. His work practically applies leadership principles, mobilizing individuals and organizations to address political, social, and civic challenges through adaptive strategies, change-oriented approaches, and collaboration.
Dr. Alexander began his career as an International Relations teacher at Tidewater Community College and has since become the Chancellor of several career community colleges: Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Centura College, and Tidewater Tech. Additionally, he serves as the president of the family-owned Metropolitan Funeral Service.
With a distinguished political career, Dr. Alexander has been serving as Norfolk's Mayor since May 2016 and was re-elected in May 2020. Prior to his mayoral role, he served in the Virginia Senate from 2012 to 2016 and in the House of Delegates from 2002 to 2012.
Dr. Alexander holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Old Dominion University, a Master's degree in Diplomacy from Norwich University, and a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change from Antioch University.