Courtesy of GSU Communications
Grambling State University is proud to announce the appointment of Max Ferguson as its new Chief Experience & Digital Strategy Officer (CXDSO), effective September 1.
This newly reimagined position expands on the University’s former Chief Information Officer role to reflect the evolving needs of students, faculty, and staff in a rapidly changing higher education landscape.
As CXDSO, Ferguson will lead enterprise-wide initiatives to modernize the student experience, align digital strategy with institutional goals, and improve service delivery across key operational areas, including technology services, facilities management, emergency operations, and campus police/public safety.
Ferguson is no stranger to Grambling State. Over the past six years, he has served as a trusted consultant and partner to the University, advising leadership teams on student retention, digital transformation, and service design. His contributions helped Grambling State strengthen cross-campus coordination, streamline student services, and identify early interventions to improve student outcomes.
“Max Ferguson brings a unique blend of technology expertise, project management skill, and deep commitment to the student experience. His leadership will be instrumental in driving our digital strategy forward while strengthening the culture of service that defines Grambling State University,” said Dr. Kenyatta Shamburger, Chief Operating Officer.
With more than a decade of leadership experience in higher education, telecommunications, financial services, and the public sector, Ferguson has led transformative initiatives on a national and global scale. At Accenture, he directed enterprise-wide customer experience programs for Fortune 100 clients, embedding AI-driven workflows and digital solutions that reduced churn and improved service delivery. At Comcast, he spearheaded the rollout of Medallia and Jira software across five countries and 12,000 employees, resulting in a measurable increase in customer satisfaction and service efficiency.
In higher education, Ferguson is recognized for designing an AI-powered Dropout Detection System, which empowered colleges to identify at-risk students earlier and provide proactive support. The system connected more than 120 disengaged students to critical resources during its first launch, directly improving retention outcomes and protecting institutional revenue. His consulting work with universities has consistently centered on improving student success through data-informed decision-making and student-centered service design.
“This role is about more than systems—it’s about ensuring that every student, from the moment they step on campus to the day they graduate, experiences Grambling at its very best. Max has the vision, experience, and innovation to help us achieve that,” said Dr. Martin Lemelle, President of Grambling State University.
A Louisiana native, Ferguson holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Data Analytics from Louisiana State University Shreveport and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Louisiana Tech University. His certifications include Enterprise NPS Coaching, Product Management, Scrum Master, and Digital Transformation.
“I am honored to join Grambling State University at such a pivotal time in its history. Having worked alongside Grambling leaders and teams for the past six years, I’ve seen firsthand the talent, resilience, and potential of this institution. My goal is to integrate technology, operations, and service design in ways that elevate the student journey and empower our faculty and staff. Together, we will build a campus experience that is both modern and unique to Grambling,” said Ferguson.
The appointment of Ferguson underscores Grambling State’s commitment to becoming the nation’s top HBCU for social and economic mobility, ensuring students are supported by cutting-edge systems, responsive operations, and a culture of innovation that reflects the University’s proud legacy.
