Tennessee State University President Dwayne Tucker recently announced the appointment of three new senior administrators to support the HBCU’s operations.
“I am pleased that the three outstanding leaders we are announcing today will bring their experience, vision, and deep commitment to help advance our great university,” said President Tucker. “TSU is entering a new era, one that calls for bold leadership and a transformative approach. Each of these leaders will be instrumental in moving us into a new era of student-centered excellence.”
Eloise Abernathy Alexis is the new vice president for institutional advancement. She brings over 30 years of experience in advancement and philanthropy to her new position. Her appointment marks a return to the HBCU, where she previously served as associate vice president for institutional advancement. More recently, she was vice president of development at LEAD Public Schools in Nashville.
An HBCU graduate, Alexis earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Spelman College in Atlanta. She holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
Natasha Johnson is the new chief human resources officer. Her background includes two decades of human resources leadership experience in higher education, healthcare, hospitality, entertainment, and nonprofit sectors. While overseeing her own consulting firm, she has been teaching at Tennessee State as an assistant professor of human resources management.
Dr. Johnson is an alumna of Tennessee State University, where she double-majored in business administration and foreign languages. She earned her MBA from Lipscomb University in Nashville and her doctor of business administration degree from Jacksonville University in Florida.
Cassandra Griggs is the new director of fundraising. She previously held several leadership roles in alumni affairs and development with Tennessee State. From 2012 to 2020, she was director of alumni relations and giving. Most recently, she was director of alumni engagement and and special events at Meharry Medical College, one of four historically Black medical schools in the United States.
Griggs is also an alumna of Tennessee State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and management. She holds a master’s degree in leadership and organizational administration from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee.
