Adrienne Taylor Latham
Nashville,TN
Summary
Seasoned Director of Alumni Affairs with a background in establishing robust alumni networks and fostering meaningful relationships. Possess strong leadership skills, adept at strategic planning and implementing successful fundraising initiatives. Have consistently enhanced alumni engagement and contributed significantly to organizational growth. Skilled communicator; have facilitated impactful connections between students, faculty, and the alumni community. Highly-motivated employee with a desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Alumni & Community Affairs Coordinator
Fisk University
Nashville, Tennessee
01.2021 - 09.2026
- Designed and executed comprehensive alumni engagement strategies, encompassing events, communications, and volunteer opportunities.
- Developed and implemented alumni engagement plans and campus connection initiatives to enhance community involvement at Fisk University.
- Cultivated relationships with Fisk University alumni and supporters, supporting the efforts of the division to increase donor outreach effectiveness and engagement.
- Managed targeted alumni communications through email campaigns, and social media channels.
- Developed, planned and executed alumni reunions, homecoming events, and related alumni engagement activities.
- Arranged conferences, lectures, workshops, open houses, and reunions to engage the alumni community.
- Partnered with volunteers to support fundraising and alumni engagement activities.
- Prepared reports using academic and institutional data and information.
Assist. Vice President - Institutional Advancement
Fisk University
Nashville, Tennessee
2019 - 2020
- Designed and executed comprehensive alumni engagement strategies, encompassing events, communications, and volunteer opportunities to foster community ties.
- Developed and implemented alumni engagement plans and campus connection initiatives to enhance community involvement at Fisk University.
- Cultivated relationships with Fisk University alumni and supporters, increasing donor outreach effectiveness and engagement.
- Managed alumni communications through targeted email campaigns, and social media channels.
- Developed, planned and executed alumni reunions, homecoming events, and related campus activities.
- Arranged conferences, meetings and reunions to engage the alumni community.
- Partnered with volunteers to support fundraising activities, and develop new donor outreach ideas.
- Prepared reports using academic and institutional data and information.
Director of Alumni Affairs & Exec. Dir. GAAFU
Fisk University
Nashville, TN
02.2010 - 2019
- Designed and executed comprehensive alumni engagement strategies, encompassing events, communications, and volunteer opportunities.
- Developed and implemented alumni engagement plans and campus connection initiatives to enhance community involvement at Fisk University.
- Cultivated relationships with Fisk University alumni and supporters, increasing donor outreach effectiveness and engagement.
- Managed targeted alumni communications through email campaigns, and social media channels.
- Developed, planned and executed alumni reunions, homecoming events, and related alumni engagement activities.
- Arranged conferences, workshops, and reunions to engage the alumni community.
- Partnered with volunteers to support fundraising and alumni engagement activities.
- Prepared reports using academic and institutional data and information.
Interim Dir. Alumni Affairs & GAAFU Exec Dir
Fisk University
Nashville, Tennessee
2004 - 2009
- Managed office operations and coordinated staff workload to ensure efficient functioning.
- Led team operations as Interim Director, overseeing initiatives that enhanced alumni engagement from 2004 to 2009.
- Re-aligned the program and ensured the office programs aligned with Fisk University's mission and academic priorities.
- Coordinated cross-functional planning with faculty, staff, and student support teams.
- Designed and executed comprehensive alumni engagement strategies, encompassing events, communications, and volunteer opportunities.
- Developed and implemented alumni engagement plans and campus connection initiatives to enhance community involvement at Fisk University.
- Cultivated relationships with Fisk University alumni and supporters, increasing donor outreach effectiveness and engagement.
- Managed targeted alumni communications through email campaigns, and social media channels.
- Developed, planned and executed alumni reunions, and related alumni engagement activities.
- Arranged conferences, lectures, workshops, open houses, and reunions to engage the alumni community.
- Prepared reports using academic and institutional data and information.
Associate Dean Student Affairs
Fisk University
Nashville, Tennessee
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Managed operations of resident hall directors, ensuring effective student support and engagement. Facilitated student disciplinary hearings, promoting a fair and educational resolution process. Updated and converted student forms (health exam, housing application, written student complaint, off campus housing, application for resident assistant, personal record, data authorization release) for electronic transmittal and posting on web. Developed and implemented student organization facility request protocol. Collaborated with business office to reconcile student housing accounts, ensuring accuracy and transparency in financial reporting. Trained and served as Staff Trainer for Location Management module of BANNER, which resulted in entire staff being trained to utilize BANNER on a daily basis. Supported the Dean with administrative tasks.
Associate Director of Alumni Affairs
Fisk University
Nashville, Tennessee
01.1997 - 01.2001
- Managed office operations and coordinated staff workloads to support efficient daily functioning.
- Led team operations as associate director, guiding initiatives that strengthened alumni engagement from 1997-2001.
- Directed university programs aligned with Fisk University mission and academic priorities.
- Coordinated cross-functional planning with faculty, staff, and student support teams.
- Developed policies for campus operations, compliance, and service delivery.
- Supervised phon-a-thons and supported fundraising outreach.
- Recruited volunteers from student, alumni, and faculty groups.
- Supported director of alumni affairs with office administration and alumni relations tasks.
- Handled administration, communications, philanthropy, reporting, liaison work, reunions, events, publications, web updates, Banner training, and program support for alumni affairs and development.
- Managed office operations and staff workloads to keep alumni affairs activities running smoothly.
- Directed associate director initiatives that advanced alumni engagement from 1997-2001.
- Oversaw university programs tied to Fisk University mission and academic priorities.
- Coordinated planning across faculty, staff, and student support units.
- Established campus policies covering operations, compliance, and service delivery.
- Led phon-a-thons and organized volunteer participation.
- Recruited students, alumni, and faculty volunteers.
- Partnered with the director of alumni affairs on strategic and administrative priorities.
- Managed alumni administration, communications, philanthropy, reporting, liaison responsibilities, reunions, events, publications, web content, Banner training, and program objectives in partnership with advancement leadership.
- Improved office workflow and alumni volunteer coordination through daily management of staff workloads.
- Strengthened alumni engagement through associate director leadership from 1997-2001.
- Aligned university programming with Fisk University mission and academic priorities.
- Unified planning efforts across faculty, staff, and student support teams.
- Created policy guidance for campus operations, compliance, and service delivery.
- Drove phon-a-thon coordination and volunteer recruitment efforts.
- Built volunteer support from student, alumni, and faculty communities.
- Provided administrative support to the director of alumni affairs.
- Advanced alumni affairs through communications, philanthropy, reporting, liaison coordination, reunions, special events, publications, web updates, Banner training, and collaboration with development staff on program objectives.
Vice President - Operations Editor
The Urban Journal (formerly Metropolitan Times)
Nashville, Tennessee
01.1988 - 01.1997
- Supervised editorial and production areas of a weekly newspaper, organizing and executing editorial assignments, editing copy, and developing a weekly editorial and photography budget to enhance publication quality.
- Led editorial and business strategy for urban news operations at Metropolitan Times.
- Directed cross-functional teams across newsroom, advertising, and audience development functions.
- Oversaw budgets, forecasts, and resource planning for publication operations.
Management Development
Hospital Corporation of America, HCA
Nashville, TN
- Developed training materials for management staff in HCA-owned hospitals and regional offices, collaborating with instructional delivery team and researching presentations for community organizations to improve management skills.
Fair Housing Coordinator
Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency
Nashville, TN
- Managed Fair Housing Program for Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency in Nashville, Tennessee, prepared reports, researched housing patterns, and worked with realtors, financial professionals, community groups, and government officials to support fair housing initiatives.
Worked with realtors, financial community members, community groups, elected officials, and appointed officials at local, state, and national levels to advance fair housing efforts.
Led passage of state legislation that made Tennessee eligible for federal funds under substantially equivalent fair housing law.
High School Program Coordinator
The Nashville Panel, Inc.
Nashville, Tennessee
- Coordinated a high school program to enhance communication across racial lines; developed and presented workshops on conflict resolution and interfaith dialogue.
- Gained experience in multiple roles within the organization, contributing to program development and team collaboration.
- Coordinated school program schedules with staff and community partners
- Communicated program updates to schools and Nashville Panel stakeholders
- Organized student enrollment records and participation documents
Psychiatric Social Work Technician
John Peter Smith Hospital
Fort Worth, Texas
- Collaborated with hospital psychiatrist on locked unit focused on acute patients requiring short-term diagnostic care. Conducted interviews, provided counseling, and evaluated families of patients to support their needs. Facilitated placement of patients for after-care services to ensure continuity of care.
Education
Master of Arts - Education
Fisk University
Nashville, TennesseeBachelor of Arts - Sociology
Fisk University
Nashville, TennesseeSkills
- Relationship building
- Organizational skills
- Project management
- Alumni engagement
- Donor relations
- Multitasking
- Event management
- Event planning
- Fundraising strategies
CASE District III Conferences (Atlanta, GA and Nashville, TN), National CASE Conference Training for Alumni Relations (Williams College and Boston, Mass), TARC, Human Resource Training for Supervisors in Progressive Discipline, Compliance Training, Communication Tools, Database Management, Donor Relationship Management, Raiser's Edge, Net Community, Constant Contact, Microsoft Excel, and Word
Awards
Economic and Community Development Business Achievement Award - Tennessee Legislative Black Caucus, Bethlehem Centers of Nashville Volunteer Recognition, Student Government Association of Fisk University Recognition Plaque Homecoming 1999-2000. Honorary Member of Tennessee Legislative Black Caucus of State Legislators. Recognized for volunteer activities with YWCA, Economic and Community Development Business Achievement Award - Tennessee Legislative Black Caucus, Bethlehem Centers of Nashville Volunteer Recognition, Student Government Association of Fisk University Recognition Plaque Homecoming 1999-2000.
Volunteer Experience
Fisk University Alumni Office, (8 years); Leadership Nashville; Served as a member of the Commission of Twelve (appointed by Nashville Mayor to make recommendations regarding reducing violent crime in Nashville). Served as a member of the Nashville Police Chief Selection Committee (1995-1996), Grand Jury Foreperson (April - June of 1996 and 1997); YWCA Board of Directors; League of Women Voters National Board.
Affiliations
Served as a member of the Youth Task Force Tennessee Legislative Black Caucus. Served on various boards including: Bethlehem Centers of Nashville (Executive Committee, chair of Public Relations Committee, Nominating Committee), Young Women's Christian Association - Nashville (Vice President for Public Affairs, Youth Committee Program Emphasis Committee Chair, Executive Committee, delegate to national convention), Advisory Board Junior League of Nashville, Nashville Women's Political Caucus (President, vice-president for Legislation), H.G. Hill Elementary PTA (President, Cultural Arts Committee chair), League of Women Voters of Tennessee, League of Women Voters of Nashville (various leadership positions). Volunteer with
Timeline
Alumni & Community Affairs Coordinator
Fisk University
01.2021 - 09.2026
Director of Alumni Affairs & Exec. Dir. GAAFU
Fisk University
02.2010 - 2019
Associate Dean Student Affairs
Fisk University
01.2001 - 01.2004
Associate Director of Alumni Affairs
Fisk University
01.1997 - 01.2001
Vice President - Operations Editor
The Urban Journal (formerly Metropolitan Times)
01.1988 - 01.1997
Assist. Vice President - Institutional Advancement
Fisk University
2019 - 2020
Interim Dir. Alumni Affairs & GAAFU Exec Dir
Fisk University
2004 - 2009
Management Development
Hospital Corporation of America, HCA
Fair Housing Coordinator
Metropolitan Development & Housing Agency
High School Program Coordinator
The Nashville Panel, Inc.
Psychiatric Social Work Technician
John Peter Smith Hospital
Master of Arts - Education
Fisk University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Fisk University