DR. ALVIN A. CLEVELAND, SR.
   

Dr. Cleveland is the son of the late John Wesley Cleveland, Jr. and the late Lillie Bell Cleveland. He graduated from Brantley High School in Dallas County, Alabama.  He received the Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible and Pastoral ministry from Selma University, Selma, Alabama. He received the Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia and the Doctor of Ministry from Howard University, Washington, D. C.
 

 Dr. Cleveland was professor of Religion and Chairman of the Division of Religion at Selma University from 1982-1996. He spent the academic year of 1998-1999 as Chairman of the Division of Religion and Philosophy at Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Florida. In September of 1999, Dr. Cleveland became President of Selma University. He has taken a school that had 27 students when he arrived in 1999 to an enrollment of 675 in 2010. During that span of time the school received Candidate status in 2005 and full accreditation from the Association of Biblical Higher Education in 2009. Dinkins Hall, Foster Hall and the Gym have been roofed on the campus of Selma University. The cafeteria and Jackson/Wilson Dormitory have been renovated. The Dorm was opened for the first time in nine year in the Fall of 2010. The faculty and staff have been upgrade with people with great skills and sharp minds. The school is now participating in all of the Federal Financial Aid programs and all of the Veterans’ programs. 
   

In January of 1986, Dr. Cleveland became the first black Chaplain in the history of the Alabama Army National Guard where he retired with the rank of major in January 2003 after 23 years of service.
   

Dr. Cleveland has been pastor of the following churches, Ebenezer Baptist, Staunton, Virginia, Friendship Baptist, Demopolis, Alabama, First Baptist, Selma, Alabama, and is now presently  serving at the Corinthian Baptist Church, Mobile, where he has pastored since August of 2000.
   

Dr. Cleveland is married to the former Miss Jackie Thomas. They are the parents of a grown son, Alvin, Jr.
 

Dr. Cleveland is a member of the NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and many other social and political organizations.

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