CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Tuskegee,

Most leaders spend time trying to get others to think highly of them, when instead they should try to get their people to think more highly of themselves. It's wonderful when the people believe in their leader. It's more wonderful when the leader believes in their people.

– Booker T. Washington

Tuskegee University (Tuskegee)—an icon of American higher education—seeks an exceptional and experienced leader to become its next Chief Financial Officer (CFO). It is an exciting moment as the University is poised to forge a financially healthy future having recently received $115M in debt relief from the Department of Education as part of COVID-19 relief bill and, additionally, in 2020 received the largest single donation in the history of the University. All told, this is an exceptional moment to join a new leadership team at Tuskegee and to shape the future through strong fiscal stewardship as the University enters this next exciting phase of its storied history.

Founded by Booker T. Washington in 1881, is among the nation’s premier Historically Black College and University (HBCU) research institutions addressing the global needs of citizens, industries, and governments. An independent, state-related institution, Tuskegee has distinct strengths in the sciences, agriculture, architecture, construction, business, education, engineering, health sciences, and veterinary medicine all rooted in a rich liberal arts tradition. The University enrolls approximately 3,000 students across five colleges and three schools and is home to 311 faculty and 491 staff. The University has a $157 million endowment, an operating budget of $135 million, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The CFO will be a proven, effective leader with demonstrated experience strengthening financial and operational systems. The CFO will possess the technical knowledge and business acumen to provide structure and stability for the University’s fiscal and administrative processes. Reporting to the President, the CFO will manage resources, make recommendations, and set strategy. The CFO will be expected to provide strong fiscal stewardship and identify new revenue sources and models; oversee and manage the finance team; serve as an operational and strategic planning partner to the president, senior leadership and Board; communicate effectively financial information and decisions to the Tuskegee community; and oversee efficient and transparent financial and business operations.

Boston | Philadelphia | San Francisco | Washington, DC

Tuskegee University, Chief Financial Officer Page 2 of 7

The new CFO will be a hands-on leader with excellent interpersonal, communication, and financial leadership skills. The CFO will have a keen understanding of the trends and issues facing institutions of higher education, and the financial and operational strategies needed for success. The CFO must be resourceful, organized, and results-oriented. The successful candidate will respect the University’s collaborative culture and be a confident, humble leader able to influence and motivate others in a fast-paced environment.

Isaacson, Miller has been retained to assist Tuskegee University in this recruitment. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed to the search firm as indicated at the end of this document.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY: A Brief History

Tuskegee University, founded on July 4, 1881, started as a “Negro Normal School” and was the dream of Lewis Adams, a former slave, and George Campbell, a former slave owner, who shared a commitment to the education of blacks. Seeking help to establish this institute of learning, George Campbell enlisted his nephew to contact the Hampton Institute, a historically black college in Virginia, subsequently requesting the recommendation of a teacher for their new school.

An alumnus and dynamic teacher at Hampton, 25-year-old Booker T. Washington was hired as principal of the school from its founding until his death in 1915. Butler Chapel AME Zion Church provided the initial space and building for the school, which is nearby its present location. A year following the school’s founding, Washington purchased “a 100-acre abandoned plantation” which eventually became the nucleus of the campus in its present form. The University’s campus was designed by architect Robert Robinson Taylor, the first African-American graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

At the Tuskegee Institute, Booker T. Washington intended to train students in agricultural skills, morals, and religious life in addition to academic subjects, and his substantial investment in Tuskegee Institute earned it national distinction. He was able to attract the innovative botanist and inventor , who would become one of the University’s most renowned professors. Washington was also a tireless fundraiser for the Institute and was successful in cultivating support from a network of American philanthropists such as and John D. Rockefeller to contribute to Tuskegee’s financial vitality.

Institutional independence was gained in 1892, when Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute was granted authority to act independently of the state of Alabama. Washington maintained a lifelong devotion to his institution and to his home – the South. Dr. Washington is buried on the campus of Tuskegee University near the University Chapel.

In the shadow of World War II, the U.S. Army Air Corps established a training program at Tuskegee Institute in an effort to train black aviators. Before 1940, were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Civil rights organizations and the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all African-American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1941. They became known as the . The military selected Tuskegee Institute to train pilots because of its commitment to aeronautical training, and the Tuskegee program was then expanded and became the center for African-American aviation during World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen’s achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military. On November 6, 1998, President Clinton approved Public Law 105-355, which established the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, to commemorate and interpret the heroic actions of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. The site contains a museum and interpretive programs at the historic complex at Moton Field as well as a national center based on a public-private partnership. Tuskegee University, Chief Financial Officer Page 3 of 7

In 1965, Tuskegee Institute was declared a National Historic Landmark for the significance of its transformative academic programs, its role in higher education for African Americans in the 20th century, and its status as a prominent fixture in the history of this country. In 1985, Tuskegee Institute achieved university status and was renamed Tuskegee University.

Tuskegee’s mission has always been service to people, not education for its own sake. Stressing the need to educate the whole person, that is, the hand and heart as well as the mind, Dr. Washington’s school is acclaimed for the soundness and vigor of its educational programs and principles.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY: Present Day

The University is firmly rooted in a rich history of successfully educating students to understand themselves and their society against the background of their total cultural heritage and the promise of their individual and collective future. Committed to its land-grant tradition, the spirit, heritage, and connection to Tuskegee is vividly and passionately communicated by alumni, faculty and staff, students, and community members. Recognized as the only HBCU campus in the nation to be designated a National Historic Site, Tuskegee is also the only privately operated HBCU with land-grant status. Tuskegee University’s total annual revenue budget is over $143 million (FY21) with a total grants and contracts expenses exceeding $42 million in FY20.

Tuskegee faculty, along with more than 400 exceptional staff, are responsible for fulfilling the University’s core mission. The University’s 283 full-time and 28 part-time faculty come from around the world and assist in meeting society's challenges by educating its 2,747 students. The University currently offers 64 degree programs, inclusive of undergraduate, masters, one doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) and four PhD degree programs. With distinctive strengths in science, architecture, business, engineering, health, and veterinary medicine, all structured on solid foundations in the liberal arts, Tuskegee’s programs focus on equipping students with high-order intellectual and moral qualities needed for successful contribution to the workforce of the 21st century and beyond. Tuskegee educates students whose technical, scientific, and professional prowess has been not only rigorously honed, but also sensitively oriented in ways that produce graduates who are morally committed to public service with integrity and excellence.

The University boasts academic strength across a broad range of fields and, indicative of this breadth, was recently ranked fourth on the 2021 U.S. News & World Report list of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and in the top quarter of regional universities nationally. A National Science Foundation designated center for Materials Science and Engineering Research, Tuskegee is ranked a top five producer of engineering graduates among HBCUs and is the only such institution with a degree program in aerospace science engineering. Tuskegee University is also home to one of the leading schools of veterinary medicine in the country, and over a 65-year period, has been the primary national producer of African American veterinarians and thereby holds the distinction of serving a singular role in expanding the diversity of the veterinary profession in the country. Through the work of its faculty, students, and alumni over the course of its 139-year history, Tuskegee University has had a significant, and comparatively novel, impact on American society.

The University is firmly committed to access and is a diverse and welcoming community that intellectually and socially engages students across communities to enrich their development. Tuskegee currently enrolls 2,747 students, 85 percent of whom identify as black. While 35 percent are natives of the state of Alabama, the student body hails from 40 other states and territories as well as 24 foreign countries. International students account for less than one percent of Tuskegee’s student body. Forty-nine percent of students are eligible for Pell Grants and 58 percent of students live on campus. Nearly 97 percent of all Tuskegee University, Chief Financial Officer Page 4 of 7 students receive some form of financial aid; this year, Tuskegee will contribute more than $20 million in grants and scholarships to financial aid.

Tuskegee University is currently conducting a comprehensive strategic planning process to identify strategies and goals to ensure that the University has a transformative impact on individuals, the campus community, and society. The new plan is expected to be completed in fall 2021 and the incoming CFO will have the opportunity to help lead the implementation of an ambitious plan that builds on the University’s distinctive strengths and capitalizes on its alignment with the current higher education landscape.

Finances

The University has investments valued at $135 million as of June 30, 2020. Endowment distributions represent less than one percent of the total budget. The University is tuition dependent and remains optimistic regarding future enrollment growth, particularly with the arrival of a new vice president for enrollment management and student success. The CFO will be joining an institution primed for an era of vigorous growth and studied renewal of its commitments to its community and constituencies, all to build a stronger Tuskegee now and for the future. In 2020, the University received a $20 million gift from philanthropist, activist and author MacKenzie Scott. The unrestricted donation – the largest single gift in the university’s history – will help Tuskegee build on its reputation as one of the nation’s leading institutions of higher education. In spring 2021, the U.S. Department of Education discharged approximately $115M of debt to Tuskegee University. The debt relief will help ensure Tuskegee University has the resources to educate and graduate students during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. As the University looks ahead, maintaining affordability and access for all qualified students, attracting new revenue and partnerships, and sustaining a culture of increased philanthropy to build its endowment will be the primary areas of focus to ensure the longevity and financial health of the institution.

Leadership & Governance

Tuskegee University’s by-laws provide for governance by a board of trustees of up to 25 voting members. Alabama’s governor appoints five of the 25 trustees. Self-perpetuating trustees serve for three years and state-appointed trustees for four years. In addition to the 25 voting trustees, there are several non-voting ex officio members, which include the University’s president, the faculty senate chair, a student trustee elected by the student body, and Alabama’s state superintendent of education. At the present time, there are 21 voting trustees, who are distinguished alumni of the University, business or community leaders, or recognized scholars in their field. Trustees are expected to substantially contribute to the University, including, but not limited to, financial support. The board of trustees is organized into the following standing committees: executive; educational policies and honors; finance; student and alumni affairs; development; nominating and board structure; audit and enterprise risk management.

Tuskegee University anticipates the appointment of a permeant president by fall 2021.

Location & Campus

Located in Macon County, Alabama – a 15-minute drive from Auburn, AL, a 30-minute drive from Montgomery, AL, and a 90-minute drive from Atlanta, GA – Tuskegee is a close-knit community whose residents are loyal to the University and its heritage.

A gem of the City, today’s Tuskegee University campus sprawls across 5,000 rural acres. The University’s historical significance, naturally, lends itself to tourism. One site of note is the Legacy Museum. Created in April 2009, to honor the 599 participants of the United States Public Health Service Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male, it anchors a consortium of museums at Tuskegee University that includes the Tuskegee University, Chief Financial Officer Page 5 of 7

Dr. George Washington Carver Museum, The Booker T. Washington Home – The Oaks, and the Tuskegee Airmen Museum. The Legacy Museum exhibits works from its art collection and interprets, additionally, public health, science, and medicine.

THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

The next Chief Financial Officer will join the University at a moment of unprecedented financial opportunity. The CFO is responsible for all central business functions at the University and the complex and wide-ranging activities across campus. Reporting directly to the President, the CFO will work closely with senior leadership, the Board, faculty, and staff, to develop and implement sound financial policies and to effectively manage the University’s administrative services.

As a key member of the President’s senior staff, the CFO works in partnership with fellow members of the President’s cabinet. The University’s leadership team, including the CFO, work with faculty, staff, and students on strategic and operational issues, on the welfare of University’s employees, and on special projects. The following units comprise the Office of Business and Fiscal Affairs that include: University Audit, the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, University Police Department, Auxiliary Service, Controller, Budget and Planning, and Compliance and Reporting.

Opportunities and Challenges for the Next Chief Financial Officer

In navigating the financial future and promoting the strategic priorities for Tuskegee University, the next CFO has a tremendous opportunity at a pivotal moment in the University’s and HBCU’s history. The charge for the next CFO is to think creatively about how to manage Tuskegee’s resources and respond to the changing financial landscape of higher education in general and HBCU’s in particular. The new CFO will partner with other senior leadership to help achieve the right balance between the University’s strategic priorities and long-term financial sustainability. The overarching opportunity will be to develop financial strategies that support Tuskegee today and position the University for an exciting future.

Toward this end the CFO will:

Continue to foster a culture of openness, inclusion, transparency, and collaboration

The CFO must be an effective communicator with the ability and desire to connect and engage with others at all levels of the organization. It is essential that this leader be a proactive partner to colleagues on the senior leadership team and around campus, as well as the President and the Board. This individual will model and encourage a culture of openness and transparency in decision-making and information dissemination. The new CFO will be skilled at communicating complex financial information to all members of the University community and to external audiences. The CFO will be a transparent, decisive decision maker who effectively analyzes challenges and considers thoughtful, viable means to address them.

Provide strong fiscal stewardship and serve as a strategic planning partner

The new CFO will provide creative, innovative leadership in addressing key issues of facilities maintenance, student access, and the welfare of employees. The new CFO will tie concrete fiscal metrics and scenario modeling to planning. The goal is to position Tuskegee more strongly to ensure the University’s viability and success for future generations.

Oversee and manage the finance and administrative team Tuskegee University, Chief Financial Officer Page 6 of 7

The CFO will oversee a dedicated finance and administrative team committed to Tuskegee’s mission and values. The new CFO will assess ways to support continued professional development for the team and identify ways the current operational structure may be improved. This individual will be a thoughtful leader with the confidence to share new ways of thinking, and a willingness to listen actively and learn from others.

Oversee efficient, customer-friendly, and transparent financial and business operations

The CFO is responsible for all facets of financial operations and many administrative services. This individual will continue financial leadership that facilitates judicious investment in program, research, financial aid, and infrastructure within rigorous budget discipline. Using qualitative and quantitative assessment data to guide effective change in operations will be an important charge for the next CFO. The CFO will spearhead business process improvements and promote the use of technology to streamline administrative operations.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

The CFO will be a hands-on financial leader with a track record of success in complex environments, and a talent for communication and collaboration with diverse constituencies. The individual will bring enthusiasm and capacity both to the task of developing and leading a highly complex service-intensive operation and the opportunity to play a strategic role in the advancement of the University’s goals.

The successful candidate will combine a keen and inventive business sense with an appreciation that the fulfillment of Tuskegee’s educational mission is its paramount obligation. The CFO will be a self-starter with a sense of urgency, a strong work ethic and the ability to prioritize and adapt to changing circumstances in an entrepreneurial environment. The CFO will exhibit a high level of energy, self-confidence, a positive “can-do” attitude and the ability to function in a fast-paced and high-expectation environment. The CFO must exhibit unimpeachable integrity, fairness and trustworthiness. Other desired qualifications include the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree. Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or other relevant field strongly preferred; • At least 10 years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience with demonstrated responsibility for financial analysis, cash flow management, and financial modeling; • Successful problem analysis and resolution skills at both a strategic and functional level that produce measurable and positive results; • Breadth of experience across accounting, finance, investment, internal controls, and management/leadership of operational practices and processes that enhance financial results; Experience with strategic, operational, and capital planning; • Strong working knowledge of related State and Federal compliance regulations and Treasury policies and procedures; • Experience in guiding organizational culture change. Commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards; • Demonstrated ability to integrate vision, strategy, tactics, and activities to advance the financial portfolio; • The ability to be nimble, flexible, and navigate ambiguity; Tuskegee University, Chief Financial Officer Page 7 of 7

• Experience leading and inspiring change and innovation with a strong orientation toward collaboration, teamwork, transparency, accessibility, accountability, and delegation; • Knowledge of trends in higher education financial management and funding models; • Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to work collegially with a wide and diverse constituency; • The humility and emotional intelligence necessary to build collaborative relationships and an inherent drive to succeed in fulfilling the mission, goals, and objectives of the University without the need for individual promotion; • Strong leadership skills demonstrated by the ability to influence, persuade, and inspire others to take action based on a vision and strategic objectives; • Measures the success of their efforts through the success of the entire team and the University as a whole.

TO APPLY:

Tuskegee University is partnering with Isaacson, Miller in this recruitment. Inquiries, nominations/referrals, and résumés, along with letters of interest, should be submitted confidentially and electronically to: www.imsearch.com/7909

Dan Rodas, Partner Karen McPhedran, Senior Associate Isaacson, Miller

Tuskegee University is an Equal Opportunity Employer