Stillman College

Situation Overview

Stillman College seeks a strategic, forward-thinking, and mission-driven financial leader to serve as its next Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer. This appointment comes at a pivotal and energizing moment in the College’s history.

Under the leadership of PresidentYolanda W. Page, Ph.D., Stillman is experiencing renewed momentum marked by enrollment growth, strengthened partnerships, expanded academic innovation, and increased philanthropic investment. As the College celebrates 150 years of impact and prepares for its next chapter, the Vice President for Finance/CFO will serve as a central architect of Stillman’s long-term financial sustainability and strategic growth.

The Vice President for Finance/CFO will join a collaborative executive cabinet and play a critical role in shaping institutional strategy, strengthening financial systems, enhancing transparency, and ensuring disciplined stewardship of resources. Reporting directly to the President and working closely with the Board of Trustees, the CFO will provide data-informed counsel that supports bold decision-making in a dynamic higher education landscape.

Like many private liberal arts institutions — and particularly mission-driven HBCUs — Stillman operates in an increasingly complex environment shaped by enrollment pressures, evolving funding models, regulatory oversight, technological transformation, and heightened expectations for operational efficiency and accountability. The next CFO must balance prudence with possibility: safeguarding institutional integrity while also building scalable systems that enable growth, innovation, and student success.

This leader will be expected to:

• Strengthen financial planning, forecasting, and cashflow management
• Enhance long-range financial modeling and scenario planning
• Ensure continued audit confidence and regulatory compliance
• Optimize revenue streams and operational efficiencies
• Build and develop a high-performing, service-oriented finance division
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and Board Finance Committee

Beyond technical expertise, Stillman seeks a values-centered executive who understands the historic mission of HBCUs and appreciates the College’s Presbyterian heritage. The successful candidate will embrace “The Stillman Way” — a commitment to academic excellence, ethical integrity, shared governance, and responsible stewardship — and will help translate mission into measurable financial strategy.

This is more than a financial leadership role. It is an opportunity to help shape the future of a historic institution at a moment of possibility and transformation.

About Stillman College

The pristine surrounds of Stillman College create the ideal liberal arts environment. The College’s attractive 105-acre campus combines the history and tradition of the past with the innovation and pluralistic culture of the future.

Stillman’s unfaltering commitment to providing an elite education for its students drives change, not only onthe Stillman campus, but also in the community.

With outstanding academic programs, modern well-equipped facilities and small class sizes, Stillman offers an exceptional college experience. Noted for its outstanding programs in biological sciences, business administration and teacher education, Stillman has also instituted the Harte Honors College and pre-professional programs in law and medicine. Students at Stillman have access to the latest in computer technology. As a leader in the use of wireless technology, Stillman utilizes a campus-wide fiber optic network to connect its facilities. The faculty regularly use computers as an instructional tool.

Stillman attracts highly qualified scholars, and 92 percent of full-time faculty members hold a terminal degree. Stillman faculty are committed to excellence in teaching, advising, scholarship, and service — providing a challenging curriculum, administered in an atmosphere of academic freedom that prepares graduates for work, professional or graduate studies and viable careers in selected fields. The College also fosters an intellectually stimulating environment that encourages and supports spiritual, ethical, and moral development, an appreciation for the arts, global awareness, and concern for the common good in the context of a global society.

Mission

Stillman College is a liberal arts institution with a historical and formal affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

It is committed to fostering academic excellence, to providing opportunities for diverse populations, and to maintaining a strong tradition of preparing students for leadership and service by fostering experiential learning and community engagement designed to equip and empower Stillman’s students and its constituents.

Stillman embraces its lighter side, too. Football returned to the campus in 1999, inspiring the creation of the Blue Pride Marching Band. From 1999-2015, the football program was a powerful force among its fellow Division II competitors and former players in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League. The College also offers intercollegiate teams for men in basketball, tennis, track, and baseball; and for women in basketball, tennis, track, softball, and volleyball.

Along with its renowned choir, these activities have stimulated enrollment and continue to contribute to its exceptional offerings.

Vision

Under girded with the principles of faith and ethical integrity inherent in a Christian education, Stillman College will confidently pursue the best in scholarly inquiry to produce graduates who will contribute to the 21st century knowledge economy.

Through continuous assessment and improvement, Stillman will deliver on student success, establish new partnerships, and serve our community and as a result will be recognized as a leader in higher education.

The Stillman Way

Stillman brings a private college’s sense of purpose to bear on its historic mission. Stillman is committed to shared governance, fiscal soundness, and exemplary stewardship of its resources. The College utilizes innovative techniques and strategic planning in all its administrative processes and employs modern pedagogy and innovative technology in the delivery ofservices to its clientele. The Stillman Man and The Stillman Woman are committed to tackling the demands of academia with confidence and character. The Stillman student faces the inevitable and the unexpected with equal aplomb.

The administration believes strongly in the “sense of place” that Stillman provides. “The College provides an environment that delivers the pursuit of intellectual excellence, the development of personal honor, and a commitment to the common good. This is ‘The Stillman Way. ’At the end of theday, it is about being the best, doing the best and having the best.”

For more than 137 years, Stillman has prepared students for the challenges of a continuously evolving world. Ranked among the top tier of Comprehensive colleges in the South offering bachelor’s degrees and one of the “15 Most Wired College Campuses” by U.S. News & World Report, the Stillman spirit remains vibrant in the face of remarkable social change, global terrorism, economic strife, and adversity. The beacon

light that is Stillman College will shine forth unsullied for generations to come as it remains “a private college with a public mission.”

Position:

Stillman College, West Alabama’s only 4-year HBCU, seeks an inspiring, forward-thinking, and collaborative leader to serve as Vice President for Finance/Chief Financial Officer. This is an exciting time to join Stillman College under the dynamic leadership of a new president.

As Stillman’s chief financial officer, the Vice President for Finance will play a critical role in safeguarding the financial integrity of the college and is responsible for providing strategic financial leadership and guidance to the President, Board of Trustees, and the senior leadership team. The Vice President for Finance/CFO leads in all aspects of financial management, policy development, and fiscal oversight, ensuring sound financial stewardship and sound strategic planning for the College.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The vice president is an executive officer of the College and is responsible for the overall financial health of the College. Reporting to the president, the vice president works closely with the senior leadership team, deans, faculty, staff and supervises the directors of the units within the Division of Finance.

This position is responsible for developing and implementing financial strategies to support the College, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, and fostering an all-inclusive environment. The vice president will work collaboratively with other college divisions and stakeholders and will participate in all aspects of institutional planning in support of the College’s mission, goals, and strategic priorities.

The vice president will also have an appreciation for the Presbyterian faith and include when and where possible its ideals to help support the mission of the College.

The Vice President for Finance/CFO has responsibility for the following functions:

• Accounting
• Contractual Services
• Procurement
• Student Accounts

Executive Management:

•  Serve as a member of the president’s senior leadership team and on other campus planning and service
• committees.
• Provide executive-level advice and counsel affecting all aspects of campus management.
• Partner with the other vice presidents in the overall planning and direction of campus affairs; provide
• executive leadership to meet the College’s strategic goals and increase the presence of the institution in
• the region, state, and nation.
• Develop and manage a systematic College-wide annual budgeting process that projects expenditure and revenues and utilizes input from all appropriate areas of the College.
• Analyze, project, and monitor budget allocations and expenditures based on a financial plan, including revenues, expenditures, and investments.
• Communicate consistent financial information to College budget managers to keep them constantly informed and within annual budget constraints or approved variances.
• Prepare and present monthly financial budget reports; monthly profit and loss by division, forecast vs. budget by division, and weekly cash flow by division.
• Review and analyze monthly financial results and provide recommendations.
• Supervise the creation of reports, software implementation, and tools for budgeting and forecasting.
• Manage cash flow planning process and ensure funds availability.
• Oversee cash, investments, and asset management.
• Maintain outstanding banking relationships and strategic alliances with vendors and business partners.
• Create/utilize forward-looking models and activity-based analyses to provide financial insight into the college's plans and operating budgets.
• Prepare weekly managerial financial summary statements to be presented to the President and prepare a detailed monthly financial statement to be presented to the President and Trustee Finance Committee and the Executive Committee.
• Monitor monthly financial statements of the endowment investments and forward copies to the President and to the Chair of the Trustee Finance Committee.
• Manage and direct the College's insurance and retirement programs, including risk management assessment.
• Oversee the operation of the College's business services, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and payroll.
• Manage the College’s accounting and reporting systems and procedures, including preparing detailed
• analyses and assisting with preparing financial statements for the annual audit.
• Develop and monitor an effective system of purchasing to ensure cost-effectiveness.
• Develop and monitor a contract management system and negotiation with out sourced services to ensure cost containment and quality service.
• Serve as a key point of contact for external auditors; manage preparation and support of all external audits and ensure timely completion and submission of all audits.
• Oversee the preparation and timely filing of all tax returns.
• Oversee preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Review all month-end closing activities including general ledger accounts, balance sheet accounts, and overhead cost allocation.
• Enhance and implement financial and accounting systems, processes, tools, and control systems.
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel; coordinate the work assignments of assigned personnel; review work to assure compliance with established standards, requirements, and procedures;
• Ensure all financial records comply with local, state, federal and accrediting body (i.e., SACSCOC, etc.) regulations

General Responsibilties:

• Responsible for executive guidance, direction, and policy for finance and administration.
• Provide administrative leadership for the finance and administration division, communicating institutional priorities and ensuring the ongoing assessment of programs and services.
• Maintain regular on-site attendance during normal hours of college operations consistent with expectations and College policies and procedures.
• Oversee the recruitment, selection, and evaluation of management personnel.
• Actively promote professional development within the division to maintain currency regarding fiscal management trends, priorities, and best practices.
• Serve on various committees as assigned and participate in college events and activities as warranted as
• a member of theCollege’s senior leadership team.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the president.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate should have preferably eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education with a distinctive record in accounting and/or finance and administration. A master’s degree in business, accounting, or finance from an accredited college/university is required; CPA is preferred; an earned doctorate or terminal professional degree is highly preferred.

Additionally, candidates will possess many, if not all, of the following traits, experiences, and abilities:

• Experience in a higher education setting with Ellucian Colleague or similar platform.
• Demonstrated background of budget preparation, reporting, and control, financial and purchasing administration principles, and development of recommendations to ensure fiscal stability and growth.
• Demonstrated executive leadership, organizational skills, including visionary execution, strategic planning and critical/systems thinking as well as the ability to provide effective short-term and long-term vision and leadership in a changing higher education environment.
• A strong work ethic and a high level of personal and business integrity.
• A deep knowledge of current and emerging thinking in best practices for efficient and effective financial management.
• A history of leading, by example and engaging staff in away that challenges them to reach for possibilities, supports their professional development, and reinforces a sense of common purpose and shared experience among them.
• Ability to maintain productive relationships with all segments of the community and with appropriate external stakeholders.
• Ability to use research, data, and assessment to guide decision-making and promote continuous improvement.
• Superb written and oral communication skills, as well as an ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors as well as experience in preparing and delivering comprehensive reports and executive briefings.
• An ethical leader who acts with integrity, treats others fairly and demonstrates empathy, emotional intelligence, resiliency, political savvy, gravitas, and grace under pressure.

Office of the President:

Dr. Yolanda W. Page, Ph.D. President, Stillman College

Yolanda W. Page, Ph. D serves as the eighth president of Stillman College, West Alabama’s only four-year HBCU, a position she has held since July 2023. With over 30 years of higher education experience, Dr. Page brings transformational leadership to the institution.

Under her guidance, Stillman has achieved remarkable growth, including increases in enrollment and fundraising, enhanced student retention, and designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. Dr. Page has forged strategic partnerships with organizations including Google, the United Way of West Alabama, Getty Images, and Sodexo Magic, while introducing innovative programs like AI certification for students and the first-ever charter school hosted by an Alabama HBCU.

She has also facilitated partnerships with Visit Tuscaloosato host the HBCUAC Basketball Championship Tournament, the United Way of West Alabama to host a Jumpstart Program in West Tuscaloosa, and with the Alabama Department of Labor for the first-ever Putting Alabama to Work job fair in West Tuscaloosa.

Her distinguished career includes service as Provost at Savannah State University, where she led a major budget reduction process and facilitated the university’s participation in the Georgia Film Academy Consortium. At Dillard University, where she served as Vice President of Academic Affairs for nine years, she secured over $40million in grants, supervised the development of the university’s first master’s degree program, and led successful accreditation processes.

Dr. Page holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from Louisiana State University and actively serves on multiple boards, including the UNCF Board of Directors, the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities, the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority, the United Way of West Alabama, and the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Pageis married to David D. Page and is the proud mother of two children, William and Brooke. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Jack and Jill of America.

Why is This a Compelling Position?

Working at Stillman College means being part of a mission-driven, diverse, and community-focused organization dedicated to academic excellence and public service. The Human Resources team describes the workplace as one where people are treated with respect and dignity, supported by user-friendly programs and services, and empowered to contribute to the College’s mission and goals.

Employees are part of a committed workforce that embraces continuous improvement and community enrichment, with policies in place to foster a respectful, equitable, and inclusive environment for all.

Combined with opportunities to support student success, engage with colleagues across academic and administrative areas, and contribute to an institution with deep traditions and community impact, Stillman College offers both meaningful work and a supportive professional environment

Location:

A compelling reason to live and work in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is the balance it offers, strong economic stability, affordable living, and real community.

With anchors like The University of Alabama and major employers such as Mercedes-Benz, there’s steady job opportunity and growth. At the same time, the cost of living is low, commutes are short, and home ownership is attainable.

You get the energy of a college town culture, sports, and local pride without big-city stress or expense. It is a place where you can build a career, grow financially, and still enjoy a high quality of life.

Stillman College in the News:

February 11, 2026

Stillman College Celebrates 150 Years With Commemorative License Plate

February 9, 2026

Stillman College inducts seven new members into the Tigers’ Hall of Fame

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

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.

 Link to complete bio for Jerel Booker.