Huston-Tillotson University

Situation Overview:

ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving for Huston-Tillotson University.

About Huston-Tillotson University:

Huston-Tillotson University (HT) is a private, faith-based historically Black college and university (HBCU) located in Austin, Texas. Rooted in a nearly 150-year legacy and affiliated with the United Methodist Church, HT provides a robust liberal arts and STEM education through market-driven certifications, associate, baccalaureate, master’s degrees, and centers of excellence. This legacy is celebrated through traditions such as Charter Day and the University’s ongoing Sesquicentennial commemorations.

Today, HT continues to grow its academic offerings, including an MBA program with a concentration in Management delivered in a hybrid format for working professionals, as well as adult degree completion programs designed for non-traditional learners. The university is led by Dr. Melva K. Wallace, its second female president, who has emphasized advancing an ambitious agenda for the institution's continued success. HT has also earned recent recognition, including rankings as a top private HBCU in Texas, and maintains an active campus culture built

around student organizations, athletics (the HT Rams), and community traditions like Homecoming — all reinforcing its mission to cultivate a diverse, mosaic community of learners and innovative leaders committed to academic excellence and service.

Position Description:

Huston-Tillotson University (HT) seeks a dedicated and skilled Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving to support fundraising efforts and advance the University's mission by strategically cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors. This role requires strong project management capabilities, experience in commercial facilities development, and a hospitality-centered approach to donor engagement. The Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving will prepare professional reports, presentations, and communications while building strong relationships with stakeholders to strengthen philanthropic partnerships.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

Major Gifts Development and Planned Giving

• Assist in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding major gift prospects (gifts of $25,000-plus);
• Support portfolio management of donors and prospects, maintaining regular contact and personalized engagement strategies for major gifts and planned giving;
• Partner with University leadership to align fundraising priorities with strategic goals.

Donor Stewardship & Engagement

• Plan and coordinate donor engagement opportunities, including site visits, tours, and recognition events, with a focus on hospitality and relationship-building;
• Prepare and deliver timely acknowledgments, reports, and communications to major gift donors;
• Ensure donor experiences are handled with professionalism and impeccable soft skills.

Project & Facilties Support

• Provide project management oversight for donor-related facility initiatives and campus development opportunities;
• Collaborate with University stakeholders on projects involving commercial facilities, ensuring alignment with donor expectations and institutional needs.
• COMMUNICATION & REPORTING
• Draft and prepare high-quality reports, proposals, and presentation materials for donors, leadership, and board members;
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in donor management systems;
• Deliver regular progress updates on goals, outcomes, and donor activity.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree; advanced degree preferred;
• Three to five years of professional experience in fundraising, project management, commercial development, or related fields;
• Experience with donor database systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, develop facilities-related initiatives, and coordinate multiple priorities effectively;
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to prepare compelling reports and presentations;
• Proven interpersonal and hospitality-oriented skills, with a record of building strong relationships across diverse stakeholders.

Senior Management:

Dr. Melva K. Wallace, PhD

President and Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Wallace’s extraordinary career spans much more than the realm of higher education. As a 2016 Presidential Leadership Scholar, she had the unique honor of studying leadership under three former US Presidents, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Her remarkable accomplishments also earned her the 2018 ATHENA Award, the highest honor in Louisiana for women excelling in their careers and supporting others in reaching their leadership potential.

A board member of numerous esteemed organizations, including Centenary College of Louisiana, Christus Shumpert Hospital, Ballet Austin, and Austin PBS, Dr. Wallace is deeply committed to serving her community. She also serves as Board President of Extensions of Excellence and is a founding board member of the Higher Education Leadership Foundation, which has trained over 500 HBCU leaders nationwide. Many of these leaders have gone on to hold key positions at HBCUs nationwide, shaping the future of higher education.

Her entrepreneurial spirit has also left its mark. In 2011, Dr. Wallace co-founded the Shreveport Charter Foundation, which built the Magnolia School of Excellence, Shreveport’s first new school in over three decades. She later helped expand the school system with the opening of Magnolia Upper Campus in 2016, a project that now serves over 1,000 students in the Shreveport area.

Before making her mark in higher education, Dr. Wallace thrived in the corporate world as a C-suite executive. But she discovered her true passion in expanding educational access, particularly for underserved communities. A proud collaborator with Grammy-winning rapper Tip T.I. Harris, she co-created and co-teaches the groundbreaking course The Business of Trap Music, which has been featured in Forbes and Billboard.

Link to Complete bio for Dr. Melva K. Wallace, PhD.

Linda Y. Jackson

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Linda Y. Jackson is Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, where she leads alumni engagement, fundraising, development, public relations, and marketing efforts as the historic institution approaches its 150th anniversary.

Over 27 years at Huston-Tillotson, she has advanced through roles including Director of the Center for Civic Engagement and Community Outreach, Senior Development Officer, and Director of University Relations, building a track record in donor cultivation, community partnerships, and strategic communications. Earlier in her tenure, she facilitated the university's designation as an "All-Steinway School" and developed articulation agreements connecting students to internships and service-learning opportunities.

Before joining Huston-Tillotson, Jackson built a career in public relations and fundraising leadership. As Director of Public Relations for United Way/Capital Area, she secured $320,000 in donated television time, planned fundraising events drawing more than 2,000 attendees, and built extensive statewide media relationships. She held a similar communications role at Texas PTA and began her career in mid-management at Kaiser Permanente, supervising warehouse and materials operations.

Jackson holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, an MBA from LeTourneau University, and completed graduate studies in journalism at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She also completed the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education program at the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education. She combines entrepreneurial management skills with a career-long focus on transforming institutional processes into strategic, mission-driven results.

Why is This a Compelling Position?

Huston-Tillotson University offers professionals the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in higher education. As Austin’s only historically Black college and university (HBCU), HT is committed to academic excellence, student success, and the development of socially responsible leaders. Employees support a diverse student community while contributing to an institution with a rich history and a strong vision for the future.

The university is building strong momentum through investments in campus growth, academic programs, and student resources. With a collaborative, mission-driven culture, competitive benefits, and a location in vibrant Austin, Huston-Tillotson offers employees the opportunity to grow professionally while helping shape the future of a historic institution.

Location:

Austin is one of America's fastest-growing cities, officially surpassing the one-million-resident milestone in 2025 and now ranking as the nation's 12th-largest city. Often referred to as "Silicon Hills," Austin has become a powerhouse for technology, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare. Industry leaders including Dell, Apple, Google, IBM, Oracle, Tesla, and Samsung have invested heavily in the region, creating a thriving innovation ecosystem. Combined with the presence of a world-class healthcare systems and homegrown brands like Whole Foods Market, the city offers exceptional career opportunities across a wide range of industries.

While Austin's economy continues to soar, its vibrant culture is what truly sets it apart.

Known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," the city comes alive with legendary venues, iconic festivals like SXSW and Austin City Limits, and an unmistakable creative energy. Residents enjoy an active outdoor

lifestyle with kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, swimming at Barton Springs Pool, and miles of scenic hike-and-bike trails, while destinations like South Congress, Franklin Barbecue, and the city's renowned food truck scene showcase Austin's unique culinary and shopping culture. Blending innovation, entertainment, and a laid-back "Keep Austin Weird" spirit, Austin offers a lifestyle that's as exciting as its booming economy.

Huston-Tillotson University in the News:

July 2, 2026

Dr. Shaquille Dillon Named 2026 Finalist for Austin Under 40 Awards in Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations

July 1, 2026

Huston-Tillotson University Celebrates Faculty Achievement with Dr. Jeremy George’s Debut
Single Release – Hard Boppin’

June 10, 2026

Peter Cruz Named Huston-Tillotson University Head Volleyball Coach

June 10, 2026

Huston-Tillotson University Student Keliss Levone-Myers Crowned 2026 Miss Black Austin Texas USA

June 2, 2026

Newly Elected Huston-Tillotson Student Leaders Attend 29th Annual NASAP Student Leadership Institute

June 1, 2026

Huston-Tillotson University Celebrates Largest International Graduating Class in Institutional History

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 finding top talent. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to deliver executive searches dramatically faster 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.

Jerel Booker Principal

jbooker@zrgpartners.com

Jerel Booker is a senior executive and talent strategist with more than two decades of leadership experience driving organizational performance, strengthening leadership pipelines, and advancing mission-critical priorities across higher education, K–12 systems, government, and the nonprofit sector. He most recently served as Associate Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at TM² Executive Search, where he led national searches, particularly for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and oversaw enterprise operations, aligning people, processes, and technology to accelerate firm-wide growth and deliver measurable client impact.

Jerel’s career includes influential leadership roles across state and institutional systems. He has served as Associate Vice President at Coppin State University, Executive Director of Stand for Children Texas, and Associate Commissioner for Educator Quality and Student Policy Initiatives at the Texas Education Agency. Earlier in his career, he served on the staff of the Governor of Maryland, where he was responsible for government relations policy related to K–12 education, higher education, criminal justice, and minority business development. He also served as Assistant Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, directing division operations, staffing, and statewide institutional compliance across core statutory areas. His leadership portfolio spans program budgeting, human capital, technology, contracts, marketing, and enterprise risk management, reflecting a career dedicated to building systems, improving performance, and expanding equitable opportunities at scale.

Jerel holds a bachelor’s degree 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 Doctor from Howard University School of Law.

Kelly Lewis Vice President

People Culture & Inclusion Lead

klewis@zrgpartners.com

Kelly Lewis leads ZRG's purposeful commitment to the development of people and culture across the sports, media, and entertainment industries, focusing on the identification and magnification of talent stemming from underrepresented groups. Throughout her career, Kelly has illuminated the positive implications that representation can have in developing inclusive organizational cultures that drive significant business success.

A member of the National Black MBA Association, Kelly partners with clients and executives alike to provide counsel on professional development and the execution of wholly inclusive recruiting and hiring processes in an effort to champion better representation across every aspect of our industry. Kelly oversees all of ZRG's diversity, HR, and philanthropic searches and has successfully placed executives at the Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic, RISE (Ross Initiative In Sports For Equality), and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

She comes to ZRG after serving as a Research and Recruiting Associate for Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates, a top executive search firm in higher education. Kelly previously served at the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions and was a Teach for America educator in Houston. Kelly is an energetic professional with a Master of Science (M.S.Ed) from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Kelly serves as the President of the Black Sports Professionals – Philadelphia chapter. She actively engages with organizations & affiliations associated with historically underutilized communities to improve access to the sports and entertainment industry.