Commencement Speaker

Chief Kenneth Cutts

Chief Kenneth Cutts is a native of Albany, Georgia. He spent most of his educational career studying in the area and is a graduate of Monroe Comprehensive High School as well as an Albany State University alumnus. While at Albany State, he served as President of the Albany State College Student Government Association in 1993–94. Chief Cutts was awarded the Future to Fulfill Award by the Albany State University National Alumni Association in 2002. In 1997, he received his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University School of Law; in 2022, he received his Master of Divinity from Luther Rice Theological Seminary; and in 2024, he earned a Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies from Augusta University.

A man of deep faith, Chief Cutts preached his initial sermon on March 3, 2019. He is a member of Second Mount Zion Baptist Church, where Dr. Theodus Drake serves as Pastor.

Chief Cutts enjoys being highly involved in his community through his board and civic organization affiliations. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, the Food Bank of Southwest Georgia, the Turner Job Corps Community Relations Council, and the Sowega Council on Aging. Chief Cutts received the Turner Job Corps Hero Award in 2014. In 2024, he was named Board Member of the Year for the Urban League of the River Valley. He has served as President of the Albany Civil Rights Institute Board of Directors and as Chair of the Board for the Easter Seals of Southern Georgia. He is on the Board of Directors of the Urban League of Greater Columbus and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany. He is a Life Member of the NAACP and the Albany State University National Alumni Association. Chief Cutts is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Delta Delta Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Chief Cutts has been grateful to receive recognition for his leadership through the years, including the 1989 Albany Boys Clubs Youth of the Year, the Georgia Trend Magazine 40 Under 40, Southwest Georgia 40 Under 40 in both 2006 and 2007, and 50 Under 50 from Albany State University. He has graduated from Leadership Albany, Leadership Lee, and Leadership Georgia.

For 25 years, he has worked for Congressman Sanford Bishop. Currently, Chief Cutts serves as the Chief of Staff for the Congressman, overseeing all operations for the office. He also worked as the Campaign Manager for Bishop for Congress 2016 and served as the Congressman’s District Director for 18 years. In 2026, he was voted by CNCT as one of the Top Ten Chiefs of Staff on Capitol Hill.

He is married to Sherletha Thomas Cutts. They have three children: Shane, William, and Makayla; three grandchildren: Rilee and twin girls, Lauryn and Londyn; and two godchildren: Michael and Aaron.