HT Names Roderick L. Smothers As Its New Chief Advancement Officer
Friday Jan, 07 2011
(AUSTIN, Texas) 1.7.11 — Roderick L. Smothers has been named Huston-Tillotson University’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Smothers, who brings 17 years of higher education experience, will guide the University’s fundraising efforts in addition to directing the programs and initiatives within the offices of alumni affairs, communications/marketing, grants/sponsored programs, and development/major gifts
Smothers’ extensive experience in the higher education includes positions in academic affairs and student affairs as well as advancement and development. Most recently, he served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Development at Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma, where he was responsible for public relations, major and planned giving programs, sponsored programs, the university’s capital campaign, the establishment of a foundation and foundation board, and the university’s community and economic development initiatives. Through his work with non-profit organizations, federal agencies and foundations, he has secured more than ten million dollars in corporate and private funding and he has written and/or influenced grants totaling 50 million dollars.
Smothers earned three degrees from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana—a doctorate in educational leadership, research and counseling, Master of Public Administration with a concentration in higher education administration, and a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserves, and has a certification in fundraising management from the Fund Raising School at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), American Association of Governing Boards (AGB), American Society of Public Administration (ASPA), Lions Club International, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are a few of the organizations in which he provides leadership and service.
He joined Huston-Tillotson University on Jan. 3, 2011.
