Dr. Aisha Francis sets the vision for the long-term premimnence of one of the nation's few non-profit technical colleges. In so doing, she leads a team of dedicated faculty and staff who carry out the day-to-day operations of the college. Her management, communication and advocacy skills advance the critical institutional mission to deliver transformative technical and trade education that leads to economic advancement. The annual budget of the college has increased by 40% during her tenure and the college has remained in the black since she took the helm.During her first year of tenure, she steered this venerable institution into operational stability and financial solvency during a highly volitale time of national and institutional crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, wide-spread racial violence, economic uncertainty, and societal malaise.She views college presidency as an opportunity to live out her calling to coach others to achieve excellence through the platform of post-secondary education. Dr. Francis, commenced her career as a scholar, lecturer and adjunct professor after completing her doctorate in English Literature at Vanderbilt University. HBCU-made at Fisk University, she has a passion for advancing HBCUs and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI's). Her career has been permeated by professional experiences that increase access to civic and highet education across a variety of non-profit sectors. In every role, her work haa focused on increasing access, inclusion and equity for minoritized populations. She is energized by both the daily challenges and long-term impact made possible through college presidency, and intentionally applies her skills, expertise, and lived experience to lead this legacy-shifting college.

In this org-wide position reporting to the President, Dr. Francis represented the college in public settings, served as a strategic partner to the president and his nine direct reports, and advised the senior leadership team on approaches to catalyzing the implementation of established organizational plans by broadening the network of the college through external affairs, increasing the caliber of trustee communications, and undertaking a number of internal efficiency of operations efforts.

-Executed strategy for $750 million Campaign for Harvard Medical School, which closed after raising more than $800 million.-Managed, collaborated, and led from the field to close six and seven-figure scholarships and fellowships.-Built resources and capacity for flagship diversity and inclusion programs across HMS.-Engaged in collaborative analysis and problem-solving to build and expand the pipeline of medical education donors.

Successfully supported Harvard Medical School Dean for Medical Education in seeking philanthropic investments for financial aid and capital projects, resulting in a large influx of financial aid philanthropy. Cultivated external relationships and developed compelling proposals for the educational priorities of The Campaign for Harvard Medicine. Established annual stewardship and cultivation dinner for scholarship donors, prospects, and student beneficiaries. Promoted to Managing Director.

Led all external affairs efforts to raise brand awareness and generate resources for existing and new programs. Key responsibilities included: raising 20% of the org's budget; providing strategic direction for a national awareness-building campaign, budget management; executive speech writing; internal communication planning and execution; succesfully solicitating individuals, foundations, and corporations; development operations; staff training; event management.Established metrics and process implemented to elevate the organization's local and national profile while securing key funding partners.

In partnership with the company founder, provided strategic fundraising counsel, grant writing, and prospect research for a variety of Boston-based non-profits including Metro Lacrosse, the Museum of African American History, the Latino After School Initiative and others.

Directed identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts for a portfolio of 150 corporate, foundation, and individual donors. Part of a dynamic fundraising team that raised at least $6M a year. Planned 10-12 fundraising and cultivation events each year including the annual May Dinner, which regularly netted more than $1M in revenue. Key highlights: • Promoted to Director of Major Gifts and Donor Relations in June 2009• Wrote narrative and managed submission of a successful Save America's Treasures grant to preserve and conserve several personal scrapbooks of Jacqueline Kennedy• Developed the strategic plan and recruited leadership for the Foundation's New Frontier Network, a young professionals affinity group• Raised funds to support free K-12 history education programs, non-partisan community forums, and celebrations of civic engagement and the arts

•Prepared foundation, state, and federal grant applications for women and children's health and social service programs at the state's largest public hospital. •Researched and ranked prospective foundation, corporate, and government funders for key hospital programs. •Managed a portfolio of 100 local and national private and corporate foundation prospects and cultivated strong relationships with foundation representatives.•Facilitated contact between foundation representatives and BMC constituents including Principal Investigators, BMC Grants Administration, and the Major Gifts unit of the Development Office.

•Created courses and taught independently in Women's and Gender Studies.•Independently evaluated student performance; lectured on relevant topics; planned lesson plans, programs, and symposia; managed group discussions and projects; and organized student presentations for six classes (3/3 load) with an average of 35 students per course.

Taught a core curriculum course for freshmen that centered on honing students'​ critical thinking, persuasive writing and oral argumentation skills. The course used the anthology "Crossing the Danger Water: Three Hundred Years of African-American Writing" as the primary text.