Written By Adrienne Hinds
One of the earliest realizations I had when I started working as a full-time faculty member in higher education, after a 10-year career in corporate marketing, was that higher education operates differently than it appears.
Job descriptions for administrative roles, especially at senior or management levels, almost always explicitly require experience in higher education.
However, as theĀ Tennessee State University board was vacated on March 28, with a replacement list immediately available ā indicating that the Governor’s oļ¬ce had been sourcing and reaching out to potential members weeks, if not months, in advance ā the future of TSU feels more uncertain than ever, and the state’s intentions more questionable.
One of the earliest realizations I had when I started working as a full-time faculty member in higher education, after a 10-year career in corporate marketing, was that higher education operates differently than it appears.
Job descriptions for administrative roles, especially at senior or management levels, almost always explicitly require experience in higher education.
However, as theĀ Tennessee State University boardĀ was vacated on March 28, with a replacement list immediately available ā indicating that the Governor’s oļ¬ce had been sourcing and reaching out to potential members weeks, if not months, in advance ā the future of TSU feels more uncertain than ever, and the state’s intentions more questionable.
New TSU board faces a hostile legislature
I must disclose that I do not know or have any relationships with any of the newly appointed board members, nor do I have any direct relationship with TSU beyond wishing to see the HBCU survive and thrive in an environment that currently seems unsupportive.
New TSU board faces a hostile legislature
I must disclose that I do not know or have any relationships with any of the newly appointed board members, nor do I have any direct relationship with TSU beyond wishing to see the HBCU survive and thrive in an environment that currently seems unsupportive.
Furthermore, you as a board will face a legislature that is not supportive; and it should be noted that you were contacted prior to the ļ¬nal vote, during which time negotiations were purportedly ongoing between the parties and houses. This was clearly not the case, as the governor had already prepared a list.
Regarding ļ¬nancial expertise, having a banker on the board is beneļ¬cial, but such skills are only peripherally related to college ļ¬nance and accounting. The realities of restricted funds and the challenges of the new national FAFSA system demand an experienced expert to collaborate with the CFO. In matters of accreditation and failure, ļ¬nances, ļ¬nancial reporting, and ļ¬nancial controls are the primary concerns.
Moreover, the absence of a communications expert on the team is concerning. Entering a tumultuous situation, especially working with a new, inexperienced president, necessitates setting your own narrative and managing expectations to avoid being deemed a failure.
Recognizing and accepting the subtleties of this situation is crucial. Governor Lee’s explicit statement that each board member is an alum implies a racial consideration, reļ¬ecting on the composition of the previous board and the current societal climate. It would not be surprising if, after some time, the Governor’s oļ¬ce concludes that TSU cannot govern itself. This is reminiscent of the Achievement School District situation in Memphis.
A last piece of advice is to seek knowledge beyond your personal experience. A common challenge in HBCU governance is the overestimation of personal expertise. Merely attending an institution does not equate to understanding how to manage it. TheĀ Association of Governing Boards (AGB), though I have no direct aļ¬liation with it aside from participating in some of their training, is a valuable resource.
Tennessee State University is a member organization, providing access to these resources. Do not rely solely on state-provided training. Many retired HBCU presidents are available as consultants or for guidance to help the board collaborate effectively and provide the necessary direction to support Tennessee State University and its new president.