The Vice President for Access and Engagement (VPAE) is a member of the President's Cabinet and works collaboratively with other Cabinet-level leaders, and the entire campus community to establish ways to enhance the recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff of color and other marginalized backgrounds. The VPAE provides strategic leadership in the development of a comprehensive and integrated framework focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and introduces… Show more The Vice President for Access and Engagement (VPAE) is a member of the President's Cabinet and works collaboratively with other Cabinet-level leaders, and the entire campus community to establish ways to enhance the recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff of color and other marginalized backgrounds. The VPAE provides strategic leadership in the development of a comprehensive and integrated framework focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and introduces cutting-edge practices that promotes a more welcoming and inclusive learning and working environment. As well, the VPAE directs the activities of the Center for Justice and Sustainability and represents the College throughout the region in an effort to establish partnerships that advance the institution's Strategic Goals. Show less

Assist in the development of budget proposals for the center; monitor budget and approve routine expenses.Hire, train and supervise professional, clerical and student support staff. Schedule project assignments and evaluate staff performance.Co-direct the international center for supplemental instruction.Co-write and assist in the writing of professional articles about academic development and assessment with the director of the center.Develop innovative strategies to market the… Show more Assist in the development of budget proposals for the center; monitor budget and approve routine expenses.Hire, train and supervise professional, clerical and student support staff. Schedule project assignments and evaluate staff performance.Co-direct the international center for supplemental instruction.Co-write and assist in the writing of professional articles about academic development and assessment with the director of the center.Develop innovative strategies to market the center’s programs to an international audience.Develop and implement new programs; evaluate for effectiveness and modification; assess academic needs of students.Compile and verify research and program data; prepare and submit narrative and statistical reports to meet local, state and federal requirements.Serve as consultant for higher education institutions in the establishment of academic development and support programs.Attend and make oral presentations at conferences regarding academic development and support.Represent the director both on and off-campus at conferences, workshops and related events. Show less

Dr. Rodney D. Smith is co-founder of Sophic Solutions, LLC, a change management consulting firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. Smith also serves as a Graduate Adjunct Professorship with the School of Education. He specializes in courses that address racial and ethnic diversity, and cultural understanding. Over the course of a 22 year career, Smith’s scholarly interests have taken aim at the implications of race and racism in American society. Dr. Smith recently wrote and published Are… Show more Dr. Rodney D. Smith is co-founder of Sophic Solutions, LLC, a change management consulting firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. Smith also serves as a Graduate Adjunct Professorship with the School of Education. He specializes in courses that address racial and ethnic diversity, and cultural understanding. Over the course of a 22 year career, Smith’s scholarly interests have taken aim at the implications of race and racism in American society. Dr. Smith recently wrote and published Are We Really Crabs in a Barrel: The Truth and Other Insights About the African American Community as well as a chapter in an anthology entitled The Trayvon Martin in Us: An American Tragedy. Smith holds a Doctor of Education Degree from Tennessee State University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Morris Brown College.  Services include:Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural SolutionsCultural Competency TrainingCultural Curriculum/Program DesignEducation ConsultingProfessional/Employee TrainingTeam-Building SolutionsOrganizational Improvement PlanningStrategic Planning and FacilitationExecutive CoachingPublic SpeakingBook Publishing Show less

In conjunction with the Senior Director of Development, establish fundraising goals according to the financial needs of the University.Cultivate and solicit special gifts.Compose written proposals for funding campaigns.Identify and personally solicit prospect donors for gifts of $1,000 or more.Coordinate the annual Faculty and Staff giving campaign.Provide long range and short range planning for the growth of annual giving while supporting the greater development and… Show more In conjunction with the Senior Director of Development, establish fundraising goals according to the financial needs of the University.Cultivate and solicit special gifts.Compose written proposals for funding campaigns.Identify and personally solicit prospect donors for gifts of $1,000 or more.Coordinate the annual Faculty and Staff giving campaign.Provide long range and short range planning for the growth of annual giving while supporting the greater development and campaign goals of University Advancement.Participate in planning meetings, accepting special assignments, assisting colleagues and providing support for all ongoing programs and operations as needed. Represent the University in a wide range of professional settings and to a wide range of professional constituentsAssist with the development of stewardship and donor acknowledgement effor Show less

Planned, coordinated, implemented and evaluated all year-round training and development activitiesEstablished and maintained an effective relationship with all program partnersServed as primary program spokespersonImplemented and monitored all contractual agreementsProduced weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual program reportsRecruited, trained, and evaluated part-time personnelFostered interaction with parents and guardiansPrimary grant writer for program funding

Directed and managed all phases of new student recruitment and admission Managed and distributed a $ 750,000 budget (office and scholarship)Managed 5 admissions staff members and 2 student workersChaired the Fisk University Scholarship and Admissions CommitteesSupervised and coordinated Fisk University recruitment activities Developed and implemented recruitment strategies for university recruitersWorked closely with the VP for Student Affairs and the Associate Dean of… Show more Directed and managed all phases of new student recruitment and admission Managed and distributed a $ 750,000 budget (office and scholarship)Managed 5 admissions staff members and 2 student workersChaired the Fisk University Scholarship and Admissions CommitteesSupervised and coordinated Fisk University recruitment activities Developed and implemented recruitment strategies for university recruitersWorked closely with the VP for Student Affairs and the Associate Dean of Enrollment Management to establish university enrollment goals Show less

Developed and coordinated recruitment schedules for university recruitersRepresented the university throughout the country at various high schools, college fairs, career fairs, and professional fairsServed as liaison between alumni recruiters and the universityReviewed and evaluated the files of prospective studentsCreated and designed the university's marketing CD-ROM

Represented the university throughout the country at various high schools, college fairs, career fairs, and professional fairsCoordinated and conducted campus tours for prospective students

Represented the college throughout the country at various high schools, college fairs, career fairs, and professional fairsCoordinated and conducted campus tours for prospective studentsReviewed and evaluated the files of prospective students

•Olympic Cycling and Archery Venue – ACOG•Olympic Preliminary Basketball Venue – ACOG•Olympic Housing Development – University Apartments•Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport Revitalization•Clark Atlanta University – Student Center/Parking DeckWorked as a member of a design team to render the design, drafting, site analysis, revisions, and administration for the above projects