UNCF - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Senior Program Manager / Executive Leadership

Aja Johnson is responsible for the development and implementation of The Executive Leadership Institute. She works to engage HBCU presidents, board members, and advocates for Black colleges. Aja also works alongside the Director of Strategy to help support emerging initiatives, especially those related to enrollment management. As a former journalist and teacher, Aja developed a meticulous spirit through storytelling, investigative reporting, and careful listening. Her background, combined with a passion for principles of social justice, equity, and education, led her to create best practices for historically oppressed communities to thrive. Aja holds a bachelor's degree and masters in education from Howard University and holds a certificate in nonprofit management from Drexel University's Goodwin College of Professional Studies.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Program Manager

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Data Analyst / Knowledge Management

Bich-An Dang joined the Institute for Capacity Building in 2021 and supports the Knowledge Management team as a data analyst. In this role, she provides critical data analytics capabilities to drive the overall success of ICB's initiatives. She has extensive experience in project management, with skills in Python, SQL, HTML and other data programming languages. Over and above her technical skills, she also brings a passion for giving back. She holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry with minors in information technology management and computational data analytics from Georgia Tech University.

Job Titles:

• Director of Academic Innovation / Stillman College

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Institute for Capacity Building in 2022 As a Program Coordinator
• Program Coordinator / Operations

Charryse Mkandwire joined the Institute for Capacity Building in 2022 as a program coordinator. In this role, she provides administrative support for many ICB programs and is responsible for assisting multiple program managers. She loves being part of a team that solves logistical challenges to support the overall mission of increasing higher education for everyone.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Program Manager
• Program Manager Transformation Support

Ciera Oliver-Ratcliff is a dedicated, driven professional who is passionate about giving back to her local community to ensure the success of students. At the Institute for Capacity Building, she works with the Strategy Execution team to support and engage with partnering institutions, complete project deliverables, plan and oversee special events, assist with preparing financial reports and provide administrative duties. Prior to joining ICB, Ciera worked with several nonprofit organizations and gained experience in public service as a member of the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta sorority. An alumna of Livingstone College, Ciera holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics. As an undergraduate, she excelled in academics and leadership, earning several UNCF scholarships, serving as a UNCF Campus Ambassador and as a 2019 recipient of a UNCF K-12 Education Fellowship. She is currently pursuing a master of public administration degree at Kennesaw State University and aspires to one day to work with the legislative body to improve education in the state of Georgia.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Program Manager
• Program Manager Transformation Support

Deshon Burgess manages multiple programs and stakeholders at partnering institutions and is responsible for building strong relationships and executing strategic projects with faculty, staff, and executive-level institutional leaders. A first-generation college graduate, Deshon is devoted to ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to attain an excellent education. He joined Teach For America, where he taught science, and then served as a college readiness program manager, where he led programming for first-generation students. Deshon earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Union College in New York. When he isn't delivering projects, you can find him in the gym, on a trail, or teaching his dog new tricks.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Strategy Analyst / Strategy Development

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Strategist / Strategy Development
• Strategist With the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building

Dr. Amanda Washington Lockett is a Strategist with the UNCF Institute for Capacity Building (ICB). She is responsible for the development of strategic priorities for the ICB in conjunction with UNCF and ICB leadership and operates as a lead contributor to ICB's strategic direction, playing a key role in efforts to secure funding and establish new programs and initiatives that improve capacity and institutional outcomes at Black colleges and universities. Prior to joining UNCF's ICB, Amanda held various roles within the K-24 educational continuum. She has previously worked with the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Minority Serving Institutions and has led focused efforts to ensure the sustainability and transformation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including her role with The Global Urban Work College Network of Paul Quinn College. Dr. Lockett earned a PhD in Higher Education at The University of Pennsylvania, as well as a master's in Education Policy and Social Analysis from Columbia University, a master's in Teaching from American University, and completed her undergraduate studies at Spelman College. An experienced mixed methods researcher, she has contributed to multiple academic book chapters, provided social commentary for platforms with national readership, and has co-authored data reports for the United States Department of Education. She uses her passion and voice as a tool to advocate for equity and speaks publicly to champion innovative solutions to fortify the infrastructure of American education. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband, three children, and a rambunctious Golden Woodle.

Job Titles:

• President in Residence President Emerita, Tougaloo College

For 17 years, Dr. Beverly Hogan served as President of Tougaloo College. She is the first woman and the 13th president to lead this historic institution. Dr. Hogan is often described as a visionary, an innovative and strategic thinker, and a disciplined, compassionate, firm, fair, analytical and spiritual leader. Under her leadership, new undergraduate degree programs in mass communications, hotel and hospitality management and religious studies, as well as two graduate degree programs, were added, and a new honors program and three centers were established: The Center for Undergraduate Research, The Center for Continuing/Online Education and The Center for International Studies and Global Change.

Job Titles:

• President

Dr. Bill C. Hawkins currently serves as the UNCF President in Residence. Prior to this role, he distinguished himself as the president of Talladega College from January 1, 2008, until his recent transition. During his tenure as the institution's 20th president, Dr. Hawkins achieved significant milestones, including stabilizing finances, increasing fundraising, expanding academic offerings, and guiding the college through a successful ten-year SACS accreditation. Under his leadership, Talladega College experienced record-breaking enrollment increases and was recognized among the Princeton Review's best colleges in the Southeast and U.S. News and World Report's best regional colleges and best HBCUs.

Job Titles:

• President in Residence / President Emeritus, Talladega College & Texas College

Prior to his role at Talladega College, Dr. Hawkins served as the 20th president of Texas College, where he orchestrated an impressive turnaround. During his seven-year tenure beginning in December 2000, the college experienced an 82% increase in student enrollment within the first ten months, regained accreditation, stabilized finances, and reinstated membership in the UNCF. Dr. Hawkins also implemented new academic programs, constructed facilities, eliminated long-term debt, and initiated successful athletic programs. Before his presidency at Texas College, Dr. Hawkins held various leadership positions, including Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Professor of Education at Mississippi Valley State University. He began his career in education within the Lansing, Michigan Public Schools System and transitioned to higher education, serving in roles such as Vice President for Academic Affairs/Professor at Saint Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia, and Acting Dean, Associate Dean, and Assistant Dean/Professor in the College of Education at Ferris State University. A recognized leader in education, Dr. Hawkins has been featured on numerous television programs and publications, including the O'Reilly Factor with Bill O'Reilly, ABC Evening News with Peter Jennings, Alabama Business Magazine, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and U.S. News and World Report. He currently serves as vice-chair of member institutions for the UNCF board of directors and has received several prestigious awards for his contributions to education and community service. Dr. Hawkins holds a B.S. in Teacher Education from Ferris State University, an M.A. in Education Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Education from Michigan State University. He has also completed post-doctorate studies at Harvard University. Dr. Hawkins, originally from Kent, Ohio, now resides in Talladega, AL, with his wife Lucy.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Senior Program Manager
• Senior Program Manager Transformation Support

Catherine was born in the Philippines, grew up in South Carolina, and moved to Georgia for graduate school. Prior to joining ICB, she spent 20 years working across multi-disciplinary fields in higher education to build online educational programs, policies, protocols, operations and institutional student services-all with a central focus on expanding equity of educational access and helping institutions achieve scalable success through building and improving effective, efficient systems. Catherine has a bachelor of science in biology, a bachelor of arts in psychology, a master's degree in community counseling and a doctorate of education in student affairs leadership. She is a member of the Project Management Institute-Atlanta Chapter and currently serves as the forum summary writer for the PMI-Atlanta Architectural, Engineering & Construction Special Interests Group. Her last name, Binuya, rhymes with "Glad I-Knew-Yah!"

Job Titles:

• President in Residence Chancellor Emeritus, North Carolina Central University & University of Indiana East

Dr. Charlie Nelms is a nationally-recognized leader in higher education, a compelling storyteller and a dedicated activist. His career includes serving as chancellor at Indiana University East, the University of Michigan-Flint and North Carolina Central University. During his tenure as chancellor of NCCU, U.S. News & World Report ranked it as one of the best public HBCUs in the nation for three consecutive years. Dr. Nelms has received numerous national accolades for his higher education leadership, including prestigious fellowships from the Ford Foundation and the American Council on Education. In addition, he has been widely recognized for tackling issues beyond academia. In 2012, President Obama honored him with the MLK Drum Major for Service Award for helping to address the most pressing needs in our nation. A highly-sought guest speaker, panelist and commentator at various events, radio programs and podcasts, Dr. Nelms was a Huffington Post blogger for five years, where he wrote wide-ranging pieces, from the political to the personal. He is also the author of Having My Say: Reflections of a Black Baby Boomer and Start Where You Find Yourself. His memoir, From Cotton Fields to University Leadership: All Eyes on Charlie, was featured during Indiana University's bicentennial celebration in 2020. All book royalties are donated to UNCF and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund for HBCU scholarships. Dr. Nelms obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and his masters and doctorate degrees from Indiana University. He and his spouse, Jeanetta Sherrod, are philanthropists who have established scholarship endowments at the various schools he has been associated with, where, each year, 30-40 students are awarded Nelms Scholarships. In addition to serving as a President In-Residence with UNCF, he is also a senior consultant with the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges in Washington, DC.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Program Manager
• Program Manager Knowledge Management

Dr. Deon Johnson is a dedicated professional with a passion for higher education and a strong background in instructional technologies. He holds a bachelor's degree in Music from Lane College, where his love for academia began to flourish. Building on his undergraduate studies, Dr. Johnson went on to earn a master's degree in Higher Education Administration, equipping him with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of the educational landscape.

Job Titles:

• President Emeritus of Wiley College
• President in Residence President Emeritus, Wiley College & Texas College

Dr. Haywood L. Strickland, President Emeritus of Wiley College, has more than 50 years of experience as a transformational leader in higher education that spanned presidencies at Wiley College, Texas College and Kittrell College. During his 18-year tenure at Wiley College as its President and CEO, Dr. Strickland tripled the enrollment, constructed and renovated major facilities and led the college's receipt of regional accreditation with commendations and specialized accreditation of the business programs by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools Programs (ACBSP). He also spearheaded increased recognition of the college's intellectual legacy by revitalizing The Great Debaters team, which eventually led to the formation of a National HBCU Debate League. While at Wiley, Dr. Strickland also served as President of the Council of the United Negro College Fund and on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Developing Colleges, the University Senate of The United Methodist Church and the Texas United Methodist Colleges Association (TUMCA). Dr. Strickland also served as National Director of Campaign 2000, which generated $250 million for UNCF member institutions. Dr. Strickland was and remains an ardent ambassador for higher education generally, and HBCUs especially, through his leadership and advocacy as: the founder and President of the President's Advisory Board of the National Association of Title III Administrators, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mary Holmes College, President of the Stillman College National Alumni Association, Chair of the Education Committee of the Board of Trustees of Lane College and as a Trustee of Benedict College and LeMoyne Owen College. Since 1981, Dr. Strickland has been President of the Associates for Institutional Development, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in higher education governance, administration, planning, management and evaluation. Previously, he was Senior Program Officer, Director of the Student Services Institute, Director of Trustee Management and Administration, Program and Black College Development for the Southern Philanthropy Program and Director of the Academic Administration Program at the United Board for College Development. He has also served tirelessly as a consultant to numerous higher education associations, including: the Board of Directors of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT), the American Council on Education, the Association of Governing Boards, the Moton Foundation, Southern Education Foundation and the former Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), where he remains active as an advisor for presidents and their leadership teams, the Lilly Endowment, Mott Foundation, Pew Memorial Trust and the Kellogg Foundation. Dr. Strickland is equally as dedicated to community service and fulfilling his stewardship responsibilities to the Presbyterian Church. In his unwavering commitment to his community, he has served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Historical Foundation of the Church and still serves as Elder of the New Life Presbyterian Church. He has also served on the trustee boards of: the Tyler Chamber of Commerce, the Tyler Economic Development Council, Tyler Metro Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Sister Cities, United Way, People Attempting to Help (Path) and the East Texas Medical Center Foundation Board. He has also served as a member of the Tyler and Marshall Rotary Clubs. An HBCU graduate, Dr. Strickland earned his undergraduate degree in history and English at Stillman College and degrees in history at the University of Wisconsin. He also holds several honorary doctorate degrees.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Strategist / Strategy Development

Dr. Kendra M. Sharp has a record of accomplishment and has more than a decade of experience in higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Saint Augustine's University; a Masters of Higher Education from Walden University; and a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University. Prior to serving at UNCF, Dr. Sharp held several administrative posts at a number of HBCU's including Assistant Dean for Student Success at North Carolina A&T State University, Director of Career Services at Wiley College, and Director of Corporate Relations at Wilberforce University. She started her career in higher education as a Residence Director at Livingstone College. To bolster her executive and administrative forte, Dr. Sharp has completed additional training and earned certifications from professional organizations including a fellowship with the Higher Education Leadership Foundation and an earned Certification in Enrollment Management from Walden University. Dr. Sharp is also active in social and civic organizations including Girl Scouts of America, the Miss Black North Carolina Pageant System, The National Association of Student Affairs Professionals and The National Association of Colleges and Employers. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Dr. Sharp currently resides in Charlotte, N.C. with her fiancé, Gregory and Goldendoodle, Kairo. Her favorite quote is "to whom much is given, much is required."

Job Titles:

• Named Next President of Dillard University
• President of Dillard University

Dr. Ford will become the next president of Dillard University, a historically Black university in New Orleans. Ford is currently the dean of Elon University's School of Communications.

Ed Smith-Lewis leads the Institute for Capacity Building. Since joining UNCF six years ago, after serving as a program officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ed has played a pivotal role in securing more than $100 million in funding for institutional transformation. He has dedicated his career to racial-justice equity, ensuring those with the most challenging educational journeys receive the support, encouragement, and engagement needed so they can achieve their dreams and society can benefit from their achievements. While Ed is a proud, first-generation graduate of Morehouse College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in economics, he loves all Black colleges and universities. Just take a look at his massive college sweatshirt collection. Ed also earned a master's degree in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Job Titles:

• Senior Director / Strategy Development
• Senior Director of Strategy Development

Julian Thompson currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategy Development for UNCF and its Institute for Capacity (ICB), and is responsible for the development of strategies that improve the resilience and sustainability of Black colleges and universities, as well as the cultivation of ICB's mission and vision within and beyond the Black higher education network. He also oversees emerging initiatives, including those related to student success, mental health, and college-to-career pathways. Julian is a proud lifelong learner, eager to discuss a wide range of topics, including history, politics, education, and community empowerment. He began his career focused on the intersection of education and policy in the City of Philadelphia, with positions at City Year Philadelphia, the School District of Philadelphia, and, most recently, the Philadelphia City Council. Julian holds a bachelor's degree in history from UNCF member institution Morehouse College and is also a graduate of Harvard Law School. He has served on several boards during his career, including West Oak Lane Charter School, Operation Understanding, PhillyCORE Leaders, and GLSEN Philly and also held leadership roles with the Central High School Mock Trial Team and Philly Reads DuBois.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Senior Administrative Assistant
• Senior Administrative Assistant Strategic Partnerships & Institutional PRograms

Kareena Pitts serves as a vital link between the Vice President and the operations team, offering comprehensive support to ensure seamless collaboration and efficient functioning. In her role as a senior administrative assistant to the Vice President for the Institute for Capacity Building, Kareena acts as a key liaison, providing essential assistance to leadership throughout UNCF. Before joining UNCF, Kareena gained valuable experience in the marketing department at Capitol Records. With over six years of experience in assisting and managing operational projects, she has honed her skills in team collaboration to achieve project objectives and drive organizational success. Kareena is a first-generation graduate of the University of Delaware, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. Hailing proudly from Philadelphia, she also holds an Associate's degree in Audio Engineering from the SAE Institute of Atlanta, reflecting her passion for music and diverse educational pursuits.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Program Manager
• Program Manager Transformation Support

Keith Green is responsible for building strong relationships with faculty, staff, and executive-level leaders at partnering HBCUs. In addition, he assists in creating long-term solutions that sustain and build resilience among HBCUs and PBIs. Keith inherited a passion for education from his family, mentors, and colleagues while growing up in Atlanta. Those influences fueled his passion to serve others in his community, including as a community liaison for Another Chance of Atlanta. Keith also proudly served in the U.S. Navy during Operation Enduring Freedom. As a first-generation college graduate, Keith received his undergraduate degree from Clark Atlanta University and a masters in public health from Morehouse School of Medicine. He is a proud husband to Christina Green and father of two beautiful kids, Kennedi and Keith Elijah Green III.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Program Manager
• Program Manager Transformation Support

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Senior Program Manager
• Senior Program Manager Transformation Support

Job Titles:

• Director

Job Titles:

• Senior Director

Job Titles:

• Director Operations

Stephanie Turpin joined the Institute for Capacity Building in September 2022 to develop and manage the fiscal and operational functions within ICB. Stephanie brings to the role 20+ years of finance and management experience spanning various industries, ranging from corporate America to higher education, including project management, grants management and administration, business process improvement, and enterprise resource planning implementation. Her passion for leadership and the development of our HBCU population led her to serve in various leadership roles at Morehouse School of Medicine and Clark Atlanta University. She is a first-generation graduate from North Carolina A&T State University having earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting. She then went on to earn an executive master of business administration degree in international business from Mercer University. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Stephanie was raised in North Carolina. She has been married to her post-graduate sweetheart for 25 years, they share three children and four grandchildren.

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Program Manager

Job Titles:

• Director

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Strategy Analyst / Strategy Development

Job Titles:

• Director / Executive Leadership