Edward Waters University
Executive Director, Human Resources
Jacksonville, Florida
Reports to Chief Financial Officer
SITUATION OVERVIEW:
ZRG has been engaged to recruit an Executive Director, Human Resources for Edward Waters University.
ABOUT EDWARD WATERS UNIVERSITY:
Edward Waters University (EWU/University) is distinctively the state of Florida’s first independent institution of higher learning, as well as Florida’s first institution established for the education of African-Americans. With a distinguished higher education lineage spanning over 150 years, EWU is primed to continue its Emerging Eminence as a premier urban, private, Christian, historically black, liberal arts institution that offers quality academic programs and prepares students holistically to advance in a global society through the provision of intellectually stimulating programs of study.
The University offers a close-knit, collegial, intellectual community that draws students and scholars from around the world. True to its historic mission, the University’s academic program provides access and opportunity to a high-quality 21st-century undergraduate education consisting of a reinvigorated, practical, and engaged liberal arts curriculum buttressed by an array of comprehensive academic services to support high academic scholarship, achievement, and overall student success.
The University’s liberal arts curriculum is designed to provide students with a program that is rigorous, inclusive, pragmatic, socially relevant and responsible. As such, EWU is an institution of purposeful intention that employs its resources and aligns its practices to provide students with an impactful academic and experiential program of study. The University’s graduates are pioneering leaders, insatiable learners, critical thinkers, and are highly skilled in navigating new environments, integrating knowledge from different sources, and becoming agents for positive change in every sector of our increasingly expanding society and world.
In addition, the academic program at EWU embraces and places high value upon inclusivity and diversity and recognizes that students come to the University from a wide ranging and diverse array of backgrounds.
1st HBCU in Florida | 1st Private Institution in Florida | 16 D-II Athletic Programs | +1,185 Undergraduate Enrollment
EWU at a Glance
Edward Waters University is home to nearly 1,200 full-time students and offers five bachelor degree programs including: Biology, Business Administration, Communications, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. The college is a member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and proud of its founding progeny and continuing tradition in the African-Methodist Episcopal (AME) church.
The Future of Edward Waters University
Edward Waters University will continue to emerge as the state of Florida’s premier destination institution of higher education through the growth of its academic programs and strengthening of its fiscal viability that will sustain the institution for yet another 155 years and beyond as we continue to implement the strategic vision Eminence 2025.
Vision
Edward Waters University will become a national model for a dynamic, globally diverse learning center community that champions academic excellence through innovative teaching and learning strategies under-girded by a spirit of servant leadership.
Mission
Edward Waters University is a Christian, Historically Black, urban liberal arts institution that offers quality academic programs. The University strives to prepare students holistically to advance in a global society through the provision of intellectually stimulating programs, and an environment that emphasizes high moral and spiritual values in keeping with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Edward Waters University seeks to develop excellence in scholarship, research and service for the betterment of humanity
Core Values
Edward Waters University values sustain the principles of academic excellence, scholarship, research, and community service by exemplifying integrity and accountability in our scholarly and human service pursuits. We dedicate ourselves to sustaining values that uplift and ethical principles that edify as demonstrated by the following directives:
Christian Principles
Ethics and doctrines predicated on the AME Church theology, “GOD our Father, CHRIST our Redeemer, MAN our Brother”.
Excellence
Superiority, eminence, distinction, and quality in scholarship, leadership as a citizenship.
Social Responsibility
Embracing a burden of obligation to collective society, both the immediate as well as the global.
Civic Engagement
Dedication to addressing issues of public concern.
Cooperation
Fostering the concept of teamwork as a means to success.
Customer Service
Employing the Biblical tenant Matthew 7:12, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” Professionalism
Practicing proficiency, skill, and expertise in all that we undertake.
Scholarship
Creating a culture of erudition through a nurturing spirit.
Diversity
Endeavoring to celebrate the uniqueness of all cultures with appreciation and understanding.
Student Engagement
Cultivating within their students a thirst for education, a desire for higher level thought processes, and a willingness to persevere despite challenges.
Eminence 2025
Strategic Vision
1. Enhance the Academic Profile of Edward Waters College by Comprehensively Inaugurating a Competitive 21st Century Academic Program of Superlative Excellence;
2. Create Financial Viability Through The Development and Implementation of a Sustainable and Progressive Institutional Business Model;
3. Foster a Genuine Student-Centered Culture Essentially Rooted in Student Leadership & Development, Student Success & Service, and Student Engagement & Achievement;
4. Engender a Culture of Institutional Philanthropic Support and Establish The Edward Waters Brand as a Best-In-Class Institution of Distinction and Emerging Eminence.
Eminence 2025 Overview
The Eminence 2025 Strategic Vision is the result of an institutional community gathering of knowledge surrounding various stakeholder interactions and engagements. Meetings with the students, staff, faculty, alumni, and other institutional constituencies produced a series of data sets that informed the administration on the direction and forward trajectory of Edward Waters.
The Eminence 2025 vision for Edward Waters is embodied by four distinctive, progressive, and collectively conceived institutional strategic goals. The strategic five-year plan charts the course of the institution’s realization of future institutional goals and strategic priorities as substantiated by the following four action-oriented vision-centric tenets:
After consideration of the feedback provided, as well as indicating points of intersectionality between and among the various constituent responses, Eminence 2025 was created to encapsulate the past, present, and future of the institution – respecting the culture and history of Edward Waters, while seeking to innovate and project the promise and potential of the institution – its students, academic enterprise, f iscal adeptness, and brand management as a global and nationally recognized think tank for ideas, advocacy and agency within the 21st century marketplace.
POSITION:
The Executive Director of Human Resources is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic planning, coordination, and execution of the Human Resources (HR) functions. This role is responsible for creating, directing, and executing the practices and programs needed to support Edward Waters University’s (EWU) mission and promote a positive, inclusive culture including management consulting; workforce planning, organizational design, and effectiveness; employee and leadership development; performance management; recruitment and retention; education, training, development, and mentoring; compensation; engagement. This position reports to the Vice President of Finance, Administration, and Business Innovation.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
- Establish and implement HR efforts that effectively communicate and support the University's mission and strategic vision;
- Collaborates with senior leadership to understand the organization's goals and strategy related to staffing, recruiting, and retention;
- Monitors and ensures the organization's compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations, and recommended best practices; reviews and modifies policies and practices to maintain compliance;
- Maintains knowledge of trends, best practices, regulatory changes, and new technologies in human resources, talent management, and employment law; applies this knowledge to communicate changes in policy, practice, and resources to upper management;
- Conducts research and analysis of organizational trends including review of reports and metrics from the organization's human resource information system (HRIS) or talent management system;
- Review both short- and long-range cost estimates/projections and relevant statistical analyses regarding modifications in benefits programs and implementation of new programs;
- Design, recommend, and implement comprehensive benefits plans that are competitive and cost-effective;
- Serve as primary contact for plan vendors and third-party administrators; recommend best plans, options, and rates for the benefits program;
- Provides support and guidance to HR staff when complex, specialized, and sensitive questions and issues arise; may be required to administer and execute routine tasks in delicate circumstances such as providing reasonable accommodations, investigating allegations of wrongdoing, and terminations;
- Oversees employee disciplinary meetings, terminations, and investigations as needed;
- Develops and executes best practices for hiring and talent management;
- Develops and implements departmental budget;
- Facilitates professional development, training, and certification activities for HR staff;
- Creates learning and development programs and initiatives that provide internal development opportunities for all employees;
- Participates in SACSCOC certificate of compliance reporting;
- Annual participation in IPEDs reporting;
- Performs other duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or related field required, MBA or Master’s in human resources or related field preferred. SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP preferred;
- Minimum of three years’ Human Resources managerial experience;
- Work history which demonstrates progressively higher levels of managerial and administrative responsibility in comparable public or private institutions of higher education;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills;
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
- Strong supervisory and leadership skills;
- Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations;
- Knowledge of experience with varied human resources information systems;
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT:
Erika D. Ancrum, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Erika D. Ancrum, CPA, is an accomplished financial executive with over 15 years of progressive experience in accounting, financial operations, and higher education administration. Currently serving as Vice President for Finance, Administration, and Business Innovation and Chief Financial Officer at Edward Waters University, she provides strategic leadership for the university's fiscal stewardship, operational planning, and long-term financial sustainability.
Throughout her career, Erika has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to financial excellence and institutional growth. Prior to her current role, she served in various financial leadership capacities including Associate Vice President for Business & Finance/Controller and Interim CFO at Edward Waters University, and as Accountant III at Sam Houston State University. Her career also includes nearly eight years at Savannah State University, where she managed accounts payable and student financial services, further honing her expertise in public sector finance.
Erika holds a Master of Accountancy from Georgia Southern University and an MBA from Strayer University. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Texas and is also a certified Charter School Business Officer.
Known for her attention to detail, ethical leadership, and strategic mindset, Erika is passionate about aligning financial practices with institutional mission and driving operational efficiency in complex educational environments. She is an active participant in professional development and recently attended the 2025 NACUBO Conference in Washington, D.C., further demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and industry engagement.
LOCATION:
Located in Northeast Florida, Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the continental United States and serves as a dynamic hub for commerce, logistics, education, healthcare, and finance. With a strategic location along the Atlantic coast and the St. Johns River, Jacksonville offers unmatched connectivity through its deepwater port, major highways, rail infrastructure, and Jacksonville International Airport—making it a key gateway for domestic and international business. Jacksonville boasts a diverse and resilient economy supported by a mix of industries, including banking and financial services, advanced manufacturing, logistics, information technology, and healthcare. The city is home to multiple Fortune 500 companies, regional headquarters, and a growing number of startups and small businesses. With a strong military presence and multiple higher education institutions—including Edward Waters University, University of North Florida, and Jacksonville University—Jacksonville also provides a deep talent pool and an ecosystem that supports innovation and workforce development.
EDWARD WATERS UNIVERSITY IN THE NEWS:
July 29, 2025
July 21, 2025
July 16, 2025
June 27, 2025
Edward Waters University Shatters All-Time Application Record Ahead of Fall 2025
May 15, 2025
INTERVIEW PROCESS:
ZRG provides our global Clients with a rigorous and patented assessment platform grounded in data and analytics. Our interview process includes the following:
1. Initial interviews with ZRG
2. ZRG presentation of candidates to Client for calibration and discussion; Client selects candidates for consideration and initial interviews
3. Candidates complete ZRG’s on-line assessment
4. Finalist candidates advance to second and third round interviews with broader leadership team
5. Formal referencing
6. Offer extended
ABOUT ZRG PARTNERS:
ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRG’s data-driven approach to executive and professional search has been changing the way clients think about how to find top talent. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results.
Dakota Doman
Managing Director
ddoman@zrgpartners.com
Dakota Doman is a dynamic and visionary executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning higher education administration, executive search, organizational strategy, and governmental affairs. He is a Managing Director in ZRG’s Education Practice, bringing a comprehensive perspective on leadership needs within academic institutions, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Before ZRG, Dakota was the President and Managing Principal of TM2 Executive Search, the only search firm founded to provide executive talent solutions to HBCUs, where his work focused on inclusive leadership recruitment, strategic talent pipelines, and governance transformation, contributing to successful placements in C-suite and senior academic roles across the country. Under his leadership, TM2 was nationally recognized for reshaping the executive hiring landscape for historically underserved institutions, and Dakota was featured in the February Black History Month edition of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a national publication spotlighting leaders advancing equity and access in higher education.
Prior to leading TM2, Dakota was unanimously appointed by the Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents as the Acting Chief Executive Officer. He joined TSU initially as Chief of Staff and Chief Governmental Affairs Officer, where he spearheaded critical university initiatives including legislative engagement at municipal, state, and federal levels, Title III program development, institutional effectiveness, strategic partnerships, and transformative planning.
Across his career in higher education, Dakota has served as an executive administrator, strategist, academician, researcher, and public policy analyst. He is widely regarded for his ability to bridge the gap between institutional mission and strategic execution—especially in environments navigating complex change.
Link to complete bio for Dakota Doman.
Jerel Booker
Principal
jbooker@zrgpartners.com
Jerel Booker is a seasoned executive specializing in talent strategy, organizational growth, and executive search, with over two decades of leadership experience across higher education, K–12, and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, he served as Associate Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at TM² Executive Search, where he conducted national executive searches and oversaw enterprise operations—aligning people, processes, and performance to drive organizational growth and client impact.
Previously, Jerel held senior executive roles in government, education, and nonprofit leadership, including Assistant Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he oversaw internal division operations, staffing, and institutional statutory compliance within core functions. His leadership spans core operational domains including finance, human capital, technology, contracts, marketing, and enterprise risk management.
Jerel holds a Bachelor’s in Journalism/Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Science in Criminology from the University of Baltimore, and a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law.
