WILBERFORCE — Wilberforce University will get a new vice president of academic affairs and a vice president of institutional advancement.
Edward Louis Hill Jr. as the vice president for academic affairs and strategic initiatives while Natalie R. Coles will become Wilberforce’s vice president of institutional advancement and chief development officer, accroding to the school. The two new hires were announced Tuesday by the university.
Hill previously served as dean of the college of education at Texas A&M University-Central Texas, according to Wilberforce. He has also served as a leader for education accreditation agencies and on a diversity commission for the University of Georgia system.
“I am committed to working collaboratively with our faculty, deans, staff, and students in shaping the university’s future direction,” Hill said in a prepared statement.
Coles has served as the area development director for the United Negro College Fund and as the chief develpment officer for Flying Horse Farms, according to the university. She is also a certified funding professional.
Wilberforce built the foundational legacy of higher education for people of color in Ohio and beyond and I consider it a great honor to serve her and our many students in pursuit of their educational dreams.” Coles said in a prepared statement.
Wilberforce University, the oldest private historically black college in the country, has suffered financial issues in recent years.
The school ran an operating deficit of more than $19 million in fiscal year 2017 and was placed on probation by the Higher Learning Commission. The HLC is a regional accrediting body and is responsible for accrediting colleges in 19 states.
The HLC is scheduled to conduct a “comprehensive evaluation” of the university on Nov. 4, according to the commission’s website.
