He graduated from Winter Haven High School in 1970 and entered Florida A&M University on the Thirteen College Curriculum Program during the fall semester of 1970.

Ammons began his teaching career in public policy and administration in 1977 as an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida.

He returned to FAMU in 1983 as an associate professor of political science, and in 1984, he was promoted to the position of assistant vice president for academic affairs.

Ammons's contract included the provision that it renewed on a daily basis (essentially making him "president for life"), and guaranteed an annual "performance bonus" of 25 to 35 percent of his $325,000 base salary.

[2] On July 11, 2012, Ammons announced that he would resign on October 11, 2012; this came several months after university Marching "100" Drum Major Robert Champion died following a hazing incident.

He was honored in August 2002 as one of the first recipients of the "Guardian of Our Legacy Award" presented during the Harlem Week National Historic Black College Fair Reception and Reunion in New York.

He was an American Council on Education Fellow, and in 1987–88, he served as political science faculty program consultant for the Florida Board of Regents; and Alpha Kappa Mu Scholar, 1970–74.