Professional Learning Series facilitated by Dr. Tierney Bates
On February 6, we will host a Professional Learning Series facilitated by Dr. Tierney Bates, an award-winning student affairs leader with more than two decades of experience in higher education.
This day will focus on leading from the middle, navigating change, and thinking intentionally about career development and leadership impact.
February 6 | 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Student Union ABC
This learning opportunity will feature a variety of sessions throughout the day, suited for all professional levels. We'd love for you to share this invite with your team and encourage them to join us for this valuable learning and networking opportunity.
Tentative Schedule
- 8:30 – 9 a.m. | Arrival and Coffee
- 9 – 9:15 a.m. | Opening Remarks and Welcome
- 9:15 – 10:20 a.m. | Leading from the Middle
- 10:40 – 11:45 a.m. | Change Management
- 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Break
- 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Career Development and Leadership Impact
Dr. Tierney Bates
Dr. Tierney J. Bates has established himself as an atmosphere changer, a national thought leader, speaker, networker, career coach (aka the Career Doc), mentor, and an innovator, who prepares GENERATION NOW and students to dance across the world stage! An award-winning higher education professional, he has given over 220 keynote talks, presentations, and workshops. With over 20+ years in higher education, he is currently the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina Upstate. He is known for his leadership, vision, and strategic initiatives and solutions with an emphasis on student success, coalition building, fundraising, innovation, and career & workforce development. He has over 13 local, regional, and national awards, including the NASPA Pillar of the Profession 2026 Award, the 2025 NASPA South Carolina Outstanding Senior Leader, 2023 ACPA Diamond Honoree, the first national 2021 Mackes Leadership Awardee by the National Association of Colleges and Employers and NASPA Region III 2020 Outstanding HBCU/MSI Professional Award to name a few. Currently he is serving on the Melvin C. Terrell Foundation, the Region III Director for NASPA, and former chair for the University of Akron National Alumni Association.
Dr. Bates is from Cleveland, Ohio and received his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Communications with a minor in African-American History from the University of Akron, his Master of Arts in Higher - Education Administration from the University of Akron, and his MBA from Bryan College, and a Doctorate degree from Spalding University. He has served on five (5) non-profit boards, like the National Urban League and United Way and is a member of the greatest fraternal organization on earth Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men, NASPA Student Affairs Administrators, Southern Association of College Student Affairs (SACSA), National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), and a Prince Hall Mason.
Connect with Dr. Bates: