Gregory Vincent - Talladega's 21st President
Leadership
CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT
"The most compelling lesson I learned in my doctoral studies at Penn was successful institutions must successfully compete in the markets they serve and stay true to their mission. Talladega competes in the highly competitive national liberal arts market and stays true to its sacred mission as a faith-based historically black liberal arts college."
President Gregory Vincent
Merging Two Great Energies ...........to Guarantee SUCCESS
Highlights
Vision
Highlights
Vision
- TC must be market smart and mission-driven.
- Endowment must be increased
- Using Harvard as an example of a large 40 Billion endowment and Bill Harvey’s Hampton
endowment, Vincent stated that he holds the mission started by William Savery and Thomas
Tarrant is equally as important.
- He and his wife are gifting TC a $100k
- Well-functioning systems
- Laser focus on student success
- First-year retention rate up - 98%
- Four-year graduation rate
- Living, Learning Communities instead of dorms
- Dean of Chapel
- Dean of Students
- Band members must be great students
- Academic as well as Athletic competitions
- Former TC President Herman Long – “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”
- Alumni engagement
– Make TC a philanthropic priority in each household.
- Alumni giving 100%
– start with students (example Spelman students $21.14 / will continue aft 3 consecutive years.
Dr. Gregory J. Vincent is an award-winning educator, executive, acclaimed civil rights attorney, and community leader
Vincent BIO SKETCH
Dr. Gregory J. Vincent is an award-winning educator, executive, acclaimed civil rights attorney, and community leader who serves as the 21st President of Talladega College located in Talladega, Alabama. Dr. Vincent recently served as Professor of Educational Policy and Law, Inaugural Executive Director of the Education and Civil Rights Initiative, and Program Chair of the Ph.D. Senior Diversity Officer Specialization at the University of Kentucky. His personal and educational achievements and career milestones demonstrate his commitment to education, which included serving as Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement and W.K. Kellogg Professor at the University of Texas at Austin from 2005-to 2017. He also held executive leadership positions and professorships at several flagship universities. In addition, Dr. Vincent served as Grand Sire Archon (Chief Executive Officer and Chairman) of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (The Boule’), which is the oldest African American Greek-letter organization.
We can trace Dr. Vincent's foundational and educational roots to New York, New York. The grandson of Caribbean immigrants, Gregory’s father, Cyril Vincent, worked as an electrical engineer and executive. His mother, Gloria, served as a counselor and was elected community school board member for the Bronx School Board District 8 (1970-1983). Both Cyril and Gloria removed the glass ceiling, becoming first-generation college graduates. In addition, his parents bestowed three priceless gifts, unconditional love, a love of reading, and a church home, St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church in Harlem, where he could start his own journey of faith.
Gregory attended New York City public schools and graduated from Bronx High School of Science. He received a full academic scholarship to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where he exemplified the term of scholar-athlete and competed on the school's basketball, cross country, and track teams. Gregory continued and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Economics. While there, he received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award. The award recognizes a student who exhibits exceptional leadership qualities that honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He also served as the 16th President of his Alma Mater. Dr. Vincent earned a Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University Mortiz College of Law, where he serves on the National Advisory Council and received the 2012 Distinguished Community Service Award. In addition, Dr. Vincent earned a Doctor of Education from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was named Educator of the Year in 2016.ding 1
Ensure that Talladega is “Market Smart and Mission Driven”
The most compelling lesson I learned in my doctoral studies at Penn was successful institutions must successfully compete in the markets they serve and stay true to their mission. Talladega competes in the highly competitive national liberal arts market and stays true to its sacred mission as a faith-based historically black liberal arts college. Consistent with our mission and market we will establish attainable and aspirational goals to dominate the national market and honor the vision of our Founders. In addition, we will hold ourselves accountable to improve measures, including student success, alumni giving, endowment, and our faculty’s credentials.
Focus on Student Recruitment, Retention, and Success
Students are our first priority at Talladega. With the board’s support, we will identify an innovative leader to provide a laser focus on student success, recruitment, and retention. As a result, Talladega students will successfully gain admission to the best professional and graduate schools. They will embark on consequential careers that will empower them to make a powerful impact in their communities.
Support Faculty and Staff
We will support and empower our faculty and staff to effectively educate and mentor our students and provide meaningful professional development opportunities to employ best practices in their fields.
Engage with Alumni, Community Partners, and Donors
Alumni are the lifeblood of Talladega College. Therefore, we will recognize the steadfast commitment of our Talladegans and ask them to make their Alma Mater a philanthropic priority in their household and actively engage with the Alumni Association and our students.
We enjoy generous support from several donors and supporters, including the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, the Chamber of Commerce, Alabama Power, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). However, we must expand that network and grow this level of support.
We will also serve as a viable community partner in Talladega, the region, and the state. Talladega is a key economic driver, and I envision great opportunities for the College to connect its resources to improve the needs of the community.