Akua Johnson Matherson is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience in strategic visioning and planning, finance strategy and analysis, enrollment management, executive coaching, leadership and economic development having served as a CFO and senior financial management executive and enrollment manager within higher education and select non-profits. Ms. Matherson displays a demonstrated ability to build teams, streamline processes and make financial and enrollment decisions that drive meaningful growth. Her strategic visioning process allows organizations to define their direction, goals, and a shared process for decision making that outlines future development and growth. Additionally, Ms. Matherson is an expert at change management and building coalitions with both internal and external stakeholders to increase partnerships and drive economic development.
As CFO of a mid-size public HBCU, Ms. Matherson spearheaded the 1st NMTC (new market tax credit) which linked the University’s existing health equity research to expand into rural areas in eastern Noth Carolina to conduct additional research in under-served communities to investigate and address health disparities, prescription drug interactions and provide basic health screening and testing. She also led the creation of The University’s first public private partnership (P3) to add over 2,000+ new and replacement beds, inclusive of three new buildings, for a university experiencing tremendous enrollment growth, adding retail and community spaces – while keeping the transaction off the balance sheet of the institution. Additionally, using existing partnerships, she was a principal in moving an urban campus from that of a food desert to a food oasis, adding twelve branded dining concepts, strategically located across the campus, that benefited not only students but the surrounding community.
In a previous role as Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, Ms. Matherson achieved the largest enrollment designation at an HBCU that stands through today. The role involved effective collaboration and communication of university wide enrollment goals and strategies. Implementation of executive dashboards for senior leadership to impact timely decisions on enrollment and recruitment trends. Created a true collaboration with Business and Finance to properly align tuition and fees to support necessary programming to promote growth and refine the appropriate ‘price point’.
Ms. Matherson is also skilled at identifying opportunities for revenue generation through new business lines, grant production and development opportunities. She leverages her expertise with coalition building to join unique ideas and initiatives among stakeholders to facilitate meaningful projects that address stated goals and identify opportunities for additional growth or stabilization opportunities.
Ms. Matherson holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Logistics and an M.Ed. with a concentration in Adult Education from North Carolina A&T State University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Pink Cupcake, Inc, The National Drifters, Inc., consultant for The Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, former Vice Chair of the Downtown Durham Incorporated board (DDI) and advisor for the Blue and Gold Marching Machine of NCA&T.
