Presidential Search Prospectus

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH PROSPECTUS

FISK UNIVERSITY

INSTITUTIONALBACKGROUND

LOCATION

MISSION AND VISION

STRATEGIC PLAN

The 2023 Strategic Plan outlines 6 critical goals with an eye towards becoming a premier liberal arts college:

Elevate the Fisk Brand Cultivate Leaders and Scholars

Provide a Transformative Student Experience Enhance Fiscal Strength

Modernize Facilities and Technology Infrastructure

Strengthen Operational Processes

THEACADEMICPROGRAM

Fisk University is widely recognized for its elite STEAM programs The University currently offer 23 undergraduate majors with biology and business having the largest number of students. Computer and data science have grown dramatically in recent years and the W.E.B Du Bois Honors Program has more than doubled in last three years. The dual focus on liberal arts and science provides students with the holistic, 21st century education they need to lead successful, significant lives. The careful arrangement and rigor of the curriculum prepares students to be critical thinkers and problem solvers, with strong moral values and commitment. Social Justice is woven into the very fabric of the University, which includes the John Lewis Center that serves both undergraduate and graduate students.

The undergraduate majors are divided into the School of Humanities & Behavioral Social Sciences and the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Fisk has several unique partnerships with other institutions including the Bridge Program and 3+2 Engineering program with Vanderbilt, the Meharry Medical College pipeline program, and the music business program with Belmont The University offers 7 Master’s programs including in psychology, healthcare management and executive leadership Last year, Fisk established a partnership with Galen College of Nursing to provide students a pathway to an RN degree.

The last three years have yielded 4 Rhodes scholar finalists, record starting salaries and student outcomes rivalling the top institutions in the country. These amazing outcomes were recently validated with Forbes’ #1 ranking among all American universities for academic effectiveness and return on investment. This ranking no doubt reflects a series of unique corporate partnerships including with Google, The Los Angeles Lakers, Google, HCA Healthcare, Marsh McLennan, Equinix and Asurion. Last year, the Fisk Jubilee Singers won a Grammy and the Fisk galleries have received more national attention than ever before through its partnerships including with LACMA, Crystal Bridges, and the Yale University Galleries

ACCREDITATION

Fisk University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees. Fisk became the first African American institution to gain accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1930. It was also the first such institution to be placed on the approved lists of the Association of American Universities (1933) and the American Association of University Women (1948).

LIBRARYANDINFORMATIONSERVICES

The Fisk University John Hope and Aurelia E Franklin Library is the academic hub of the university, working to support the academic programs by providing books, electronic resources, and other materials The present building was completed in 1969 and opened in January 1970 It houses over 240,000 volumes Special Collections is a major national resource for the study of the African American experience The Special Collections and Archives of the John Hope and Aurelia E Franklin Library at Fisk University contains some of the oldest and most definitive collections of African American history and culture Since the establishment of the University in 1866, it has been the library’s tradition to acquire materials by and about African Americans and people of the African Diaspora.

FACULTYBODY

Fisk currently has 119 faculty members of which 65 are full time and an almost even split between female and male Professors Almost 60% of all faculty have doctorates and numerous industry expert from Google, Asurion and Equinix are teaching courses in computer science and data science Faculty research remains a critical component of the Fisk identity. Fisk is also widely recognized for engaging students in research and scholarly activities, which no doubt explains the success of our STEAM students. Fisk’s research and scholarship is grounded in the academic curriculum, campus support services, and various community activities. Fisk faculty, students and administrators emphasize the discovery and advancement of knowledge through research in the natural and social sciences, business, and the humanities Fisk consistently ranks in the top 5 nationally for research expenditures among small liberal arts universities

ENROLLMENT

Fisk University has experienced a major transformation over the past six years. Total enrollment has increased from the low 600’s to 1,050’s, and the past two incoming classes competed for the strongest among all HBCUs. The extraordinary Fisk student body is comprised of 62% Pell eligible students with a 70:30 ratio of female to male students

CAMPUSLIFE

Fisk University's vibrant campus life helps students develop leadership skills, character, and discipline As part of Fisk’s commitment to cultivating leaders and scholars, we give students a place to grow as individuals and learn to become accountable for their actions Campus life at Fisk is a great way to explore your interests, make lifelong friends, have fun, and make the most of your Fisk experience. Every week the Office of Student Engagement offers lectures, movies, sports, volunteer opportunities and more. There are over 30 student groups and organizations on campus, and that number keeps expanding because students are encouraged to start new clubs and organizations every year.

ATHLETICS

Fisk’s athletics programs have always been a core feature of the University With 13 individual sports, Fisk University athletics programs offer a critical component to both student life and the overall competitiveness and profile of the University The University has decided to focus on boosting the athletic reputation of the University by developing several signature programs that compete at the highest national levels Last year, Fisk University launched the first women’s gymnastics program of any HBCU and hired a new Athletic Director to effectively implement this strategic vision With Ms Corrinne Tarver as the new Athletic Director and women’s gymnastics coach as well as NBA legend Kenny Anderson as the men’s basketball coach, Fisk Athletics is already garnering national attention.

ALUMNI

Fisk’s more than 10,000 living alumni (Fiskites) provide a deeply committed support base for a variety of university functions in addition to annual fund raising Alumni giving percentages have drastically increased over the past 6 years from 21% to 35% but remains slightly below 15% of total fundraising. On several occasions, Fisk has won the Home Depot challenge, which is ultimately based on alumni votes

and thus a testament to the commitment of Fiskites. The alumni are also passionately involved in Fisk’s recruitment strategy with active clubs all over the country. There has always been a strong tradition around reunion but in recent years Fisk has also developed quite a homecoming reputation Many Fisk alumni serve as mentors and are intensely involved in the University’s extracurricular programs

FINANCES

FINANCIAL AID

POSITION SPECIFICATION

THEROLE

PRIORITIES

POSITION SPECIFICATION SUPPORT THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

STRENGTHEN ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY

POSITION SPECIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS

NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCEDURE

CONTACT

JOI HAYES-SCOTT

ART HOPKINS