Derrick V. Warren
Growing up in a small North Louisiana town taught Dr. Derrick V. Warren the importance of relationships, results and resilience. Determined to help bridge the digital divide for underrepresented communities, this self-described “Global Life Learner” drives positive transformation for Southern University as the interim associate dean and MBA Director for the SU Baton Rouge College of Business. In addition, Dr. Warren is the director of alumni affairs and an adjunct professor in Management and Management Information Systems with specializations in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Data Science, Design Thinking, Internet of Things, Management and Marketing. He also represents the Southern University System (SUS) as the IBM Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Global University Programs and is the Academic Director for the Southern University LA2BSET Initiative which is missioned to develop, create and share innovative professional content with university stakeholders in the areas of Law, Agriculture, Art, Business, Science, Engineering and Technology.
Dr. Derrick Warren has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science (cum laude) from Southern University Baton Rouge, a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida in Tampa and a Doctor of Business Administration from Georgia State University’s (GSU) Robinson College of Business in Atlanta, Georgia. Warren's doctoral studies focused on “engaged scholarship” (engaging academia with industry) that has equipped him with qualitative and quantitative research methods needed for advanced research. Warren has also completed the GSU Master Teacher Program, the Online Teaching Certification through Quality Matters; Blockchain Technologies: Business Innovation and Application Program from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management Certificate and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida.
In support of his goal of ‘continuous life learning’, Dr. Warren achieved teaching credentials through the IBM Skills Academy in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Data Science and Internet of Things. In addition, he holds badges/micro-certifications in Enterprise Design Thinking and Design Essentials for Artificial Intelligence through the IBM Academic Initiative. His work in these areas has led to over 300 students and faculty receiving stackable credentials across the Southern University System. His work also led to the Southern University System being selected to receive $30 Million dollars in IBM Technology assets along with appointments to the IBM Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Quantum Center Coalition. This coalition is a consortium of higher education institutions missioned to promote awareness of Quantum Computing Technologies globally, especially in underserved communities. Furthermore, Dr. Warren was instrumental in the awarding of IBM HBCU Master’s Fellowship awards of $16,000 each to three Southern University scholars. In fact, Southern University received more fellowship awards than any other HBCU that participated in the prestigious program.
Prior to his roles at Southern, Dr. Warren spent over 32 years with IBM and was responsible for the overall client satisfaction, financials, and delivery execution of large accounts ranging in size from several hundred million to over a billion dollars in total contract value. While overseas, he established the IBM’s Project Executive Competency which improved certifications by over 300%; rapidly drove positive double digit account revenue/profit growth for 9 consecutive quarters (52% in one year); increased contract signings; mitigated base account erosion; grew C-Suite references and engineered a marked enhancement in client satisfaction year to year. Dr. Warren also served as a member of the IBM Technical Leadership Team, IBM Global Services Diversity Council and was featured in the company’s’ “On Demand” Thinker Ad Campaign.
The recipient of numerous professional and community awards, Dr. Warren was named the National Alumni Director of the Year by the National Black College Hall of Fame in 2018, Jaguar Foundation Man of the Year and honored to deliver Southern’s fall 2011 Commencement Address. He and his wife (college sweetheart), Anita, currently reside in Baton Rouge, La. They are the proud parents of two sons, Derrick II and Dillon; daughter, Dhalyn; and granddaughter Emersyn.