(Talladega, AL) Talladega College President Dr. Gregory Vincent has named Dr. Kristie L. Kenney and Mr. Sama A. Mondeh to new senior leadership roles. Dr. Kenney has been named senior vice president for institutional advancement, strategic initiatives and communications, and Mr. Mondeh has been named senior vice president for finance and campus operations.
“Both Dr. Kenney and Mr. Mondeh have an impressive breadth of knowledge and experience,” Dr. Vincent said. “They are strategic thinkers and transformational leaders who have consistently demonstrated impeccable judgement and a proven commitment to advancing the college.”
Dr. Kristie L. Kenney has exhibited a proven record of intuitive and insightful leadership during her short tenure as vice president for institutional advancement. She has realized impressive philanthropic results by revitalizing advancement initiatives and implementing a strategic development plan which yielded the highest total annual giving for FY2022 in five years. Under her leadership, Talladega College saw an immediate increase in employee giving and an impressive rise in alumni giving to 9.5 percent. In her expanded role, she will build upon this success by guiding critical priorities across the enterprise to help propel transformative changes at Talladega College.
“Talladega College is one of America’s great Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and I am thrilled to serve during such an exciting time in Talladega's history,” said Dr. Kenney. “Education is a driver of change and opportunity, and this new role will enable me to continue my current efforts and work in a broader stroke within philanthropy by connecting and implementing programs strategically with President Vincent’s presidential priorities.”
Prior to joining Talladega College, she served as director of annual giving for Christian City, Inc, in Union City, Georgia, where she provided leadership for the strategy, design, management, and execution of a comprehensive annual giving program with a fundraising goal of over $3 million. Prior to Christian City, Inc., she served as executive director of JSU (Jackson State University) Development Foundation, Inc., where she managed an annual budget of over $100 million, which included property assets of $80 million and a $47 million endowment.
Dr. Kenney holds a PhD in urban higher education from Jackson State University (JSU), a Master of Science in higher education — college administration and leadership from Purdue University Global, and a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business from Tennessee State University. She earned a certificate in fund raising management from the Center for Philanthropy at Indiana University and she is a 2021 Millennium Leadership Initiative Fellow with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).
Over the span of two decades, Mr. Mondeh has leveraged his fiscal management expertise to implement sound financial systems for diverse institutions of higher education. He previously served Talladega College as senior vice president for administration and finance and, most recently, as a consultant. In his new position, he will provide vision and leadership for the Division of Administration and Finance as he develops essential long-range and short-range strategic financial plans for the college and oversees its diverse business functions. He will continue to work with Mr. Alfred Norris, who will serve as the institution’s vice president and chief budget officer.
Prior to joining Talladega College, Mr. Mondeh served as vice president for fiscal affairs/treasurer for Stillman College, where his responsibilities included overseeing the financial and physical resources of the college; serving as point of contact for legal actions and transactions; negotiating contracts with vendors; and providing oversight for institutional budgets. Earlier in his career, he served as vice president for financial affairs and chief financial officer at Fisk University and as vice president for fiscal affairs and chief financial officer at Shaw University.
"When I received a call that Talladega College needed my assistance, I did not hesitate to give it willingly. It was refreshing to return to campus as a consultant and interact with my colleagues, and I was thrilled when Dr. Vincent offered me the opportunity to serve as a key member of his team,” said Mr. Mondeh. “I am honored and happy to work with my colleagues to support Dr. Vincent’s vision for Talladega College.”
Mr. Mondeh earned a certificate from the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University, and holds three degrees from Morgan State University — a Master of Arts in economics, a Master of Business Administration in accounting and a Bachelor of Science in accounting. Additionally, he is a certified professional accountant in three states, including Alabama.
