51爆料 appoints three new senior-level staff
For more information, contact: Diana Fedinec, Director of Public Relations and Media (901) 333-4247 dfedinec@southwest.tn.edu
51爆料 President Dr. Tracy D. Hall has appointed three new senior level staff members to the College鈥檚 leadership. They are Dr. Kendricks Hooker who will lead Southwest鈥檚 Academic Affairs Division, Cynthia Graham who now heads up External Affairs and Gregory Eller who is head of Human Resources.
鈥淲e are pleased to welcome these stellar executives to the Southwest family,鈥� Dr. Tracy D. Hall said. 鈥淭hey each bring a track record of leadership and performance that has uniquely prepared them to make significant contributions to the College鈥檚 efforts to continue to improve student outcomes and fulfill its mission to prepare students for successful careers and continued education.鈥�
Dr. Hooker will join the staff as vice president of Academic Affairs July 1. Hooker formerly served as dean of the School of Health Education at Madison College in Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to that, he served as associate dean of Madison College鈥檚 School of Arts & Sciences. Hooker has more than 20 years of experience in public speaking, mentoring faculty and staff and developing programs and curricula. He has completed qualitative and quantitative studies with medical centers, crafted nursing residency curricula and conducted professional development workshops. Hooker brings high level expertise in developing programs designed to enhance professional development and inclusivity and increase student retention and completion. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in urban higher education from Jackson State University, an MBA from Bethel University, master鈥檚 and bachelor鈥檚 degrees in biology from Jackson State University and an associate degree in biology from Coahoma Community College.
Graham joined Southwest March 2 as the vice president of External Affairs. Prior to her arrival, she served as development director for where she led solicitation efforts, marketing and volunteer recruitment. Throughout her 22-year career in nonprofit management, Graham has built a reputation as a connector, collaborator and innovator. Cynthia has worked successfully across a broad range of industries from education to healthcare. She has raised millions of dollars while leading teams for the University of Memphis, Le Bonheur Children鈥檚 Hospital and Presbyterian Day School. She is active in the Memphis community, serving those in need as a member of NEXUS Leaders and Junior League of Memphis. A Parsons, Tennessee native, Graham is a graduate of the University of Memphis.
Eller joined Southwest Feb. 17 as associate vice president of Human Resources. He formerly served as executive director of the Tennessee Independent College & Universities Association Benefit Consortium in Nashville, Tennessee. There he was responsible for the operation of a self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangement operating as a non-profit voluntary employees' beneficiary association. He also served as human resources director for Christian Brothers University where he provided consultation to management on strategic staffing plans, compensation, benefits training and development, budget and faculty/staff relations. Eller holds an MBA from Christian Brothers University.