CURRICULUM VITAE Name: Born: Address: Home: Current Position: Samory Toure Pruitt, Ph.D. October 29, 1960, Birmingham, Alabama Office of the Vice President for Community Affairs The University of Alabama Box 870113 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487 (205) 348-8376 (205) 348-4988 samory.pruitt@ua.edu 1109 Canterbury Road Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405 (205) 758-3664 pspruitts@aol.com Vice President for Community Affairs The University of Alabama EDUCATION AND TRAINING 1966-1979 Public Schools, Birmingham, Alabama 1979-1984 The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1995-1998 The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1999-2003 The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama DEGREES 1984- B.S. The University of Alabama Major: Minor: Mathematics English 1998-M.A. The University of Alabama Major: Concentration: Public Administration Urban Administration 2003-Ph.D. The University of Alabama Major: Higher Education Administration Minor: Finance Minor: Law Dissertation: A Reflection of Student Desegregation at The University of Alabama As Seen Through the Eyes of Some Pioneering African American Students: 1956-1976. 1
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 8/2004 present Vice President for Community Affairs, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Vice President for Community Affairs directs and coordinates a wide range of external activities in the areas of community outreach, rural services, economic development, and educational outreach involving faculty, staff, and students from academic and administrative units across the University. The Vice President for Community Affairs also provides leadership to the internal campus community in the areas of equal opportunity, diversity, inclusiveness, and equity. The Vice President for Community Affairs reports to the President and is a member of the senior executive leadership team. 8/2000 8/2004 Assistant to the President for Community and Corporate Relations, The University of Alabama. Tuscaloosa. Alabama. Perform administrative duties as required by the President. These duties include the cultivation of local and state elected officials, appointed officials, business and community leaders in support of The University of Alabama. Serve as campus-wide corporate proposal clearinghouse and follow-up relating to the soliciting of corporate support for The University of Alabama Schedule and participate in routine stewardship visits involving The University of Alabama President and the CEO s of corporations that support the UA. Facilitate proposal development to corporations on behalf of UA efforts. Direct and coordinate outreach efforts in the areas of economic and community development. Provide oversight over the distribution of University funds designated to support economic and community development initiatives locally and regionally. Initiatives included the installation of two state of the art math labs at Greensboro East High School and Lowdnes County High School, small business development centers in Greene, Sumter, Hale, Marengo, Dallas, Bibb, and Wilcox counties, Dateline Pickens County, Nutrition Program through Maude Whatley Health Care Centers in Greene County, Rural Economic Development Conference at UA in 2001, and the Hale County Civil Rights Institute project. Director of the President s Community Advisory Council. This council is comprised of key business, education, and community leaders in West Alabama and meets periodically to engage in community dialog about educational and economic partnerships as well as student related issues. Institutional Coordinator for the Tuscaloosa Consortium for Higher Education (TCHE). Formal organization established in 1990 to facilitate joint initiatives between Shelton State Community College, Stillman College, and the University of Alabama. 2
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2/1999 8/2000 Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations. The University of Alabama. Tuscaloosa Alabama. Work closely with the Assistant Vice President for Development in identifying and implementing strategies to improve the impact of corporate and foundation assistance on the mission of the University. Solicit input from the various colleges within the University and work closely with the entire Advancement team to develop a structured and comprehensive plan designed to address philanthropy, scholarships, economic development, research, student placement, and external affairs. 2/1998 2/1999 Associate Director, Facilities and Management Operations. The University of Alabama. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Assist the Director of Facilities Operations and Maintenance in managing a 300 employee staff which oversaw 3.5 million square feet of the University of Alabama facilities and resources as requested. Drafted RFP to select consulting firm to perform audit of the Facilities function at The University of Alabama and recommend structural changes. Directed the committee charged with assessing the proposals and facilitated a recommendation to the Vice President for Financial Affairs regarding the award. Assisted the Vice President for Financial Affairs in implementing the recommendations from the consulting firm that were approved by the President and the Executive Staff of The University of Alabama. 10/1994 2/1998 Manager, Building Operations. The University of Alabama. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Manage building services personnel responsible for custodial and general maintenance of academic and support facilities on the University of Alabama campus to include nine full time supervisory staff and 160 full time employees. Responsible for allocation and management of departmental budget to include salaries, staffing, equipment, supplies, and training. Coordinate and direct the Roll Tidy recycling program and the Adopt-A-Mile litter campaign. Provide assistance to the Vice President for Financial Affairs and the the University Compliance Officer in investigating and making recommendations on employee grievances relating to sexual harassment and affirmative action issues as Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Officer for the Division of Financial Affairs. 3
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 5/1990 10/1994 Manager, Facilities Storeroom - Procurement. The University of Alabama. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Manage personnel and building operations for a $950,000 Storeroom inventory. Supervise five full time employees and a student staff employee. Worked with University of Alabama professor of Engineering, Dr. Gary Moynihan, to publish an article in the International Journal of Industrial Engineering (1994) on the operation of the Facilities Storeroom. Monitor and adjust stocking levels of inventory items to accommodate both routine and project related work orders. Utilized both mainframe and PC programs to insure that the Storeroom was operating as efficiently as possible. Maintain and establish contracts on materials stocked in the Storeroom as well as those needed for funded work orders. Met routinely with department heads to coordinate material needs for upcoming projects. Evaluate and award bids on equipment and materials by working closely with The University of Alabama Purchasing department and competing vendors to set up demonstrations, acquire and test samples, review specifications on alternate products, and draft written recommendations on appropriate bid awards. 2/1986 5/1990 Supervisor Maintenance Storeroom. The University of Alabama. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Supervise four full time employees and building operations for $750,000 inventory. Monitor, adjust, and maintain appropriate material inventory to accommodate campus maintenance projects. Provide assistance to the UA Systems Development Office computer programmers in the computerization of the Maintenance Storeroom in 1988. TEACHING EXPERIENCE 8/1990- present Adjunct Faculty Mathematics Department. Shelton State Community College. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Teach developmental mathematics on a part-time basis. Provide instruction to students from various educational and professional backgrounds. 6/1993 Instructor Kid s College. Shelton State Community College. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Taught advanced geometry to eighth graders as part of summer enrichment program. 4
1/1985 12/85 Substitute Teacher. Tuscaloosa City Schools System. Served as a substitute teacher in the Tuscaloosa City School system. Selected in May of 1985 to teach eight weeks of American history due to the illness of the certified teacher. BOARD APPOINTMENTS 2004-present 2004-present 2003-present 2002-present Technical Advisor. The Governor s Commission on the Black Belt. Appointed by Alabama Governor, Bob Riley, to serve as a technical advisor on a commission charged with improving the quality of life for citizens in Alabama s Black Belt. The Black Belt Community Foundation. Appointed by Alabama State Senator Hank Sanders to serve on the board of this foundation. The Tuscaloosa Public Library. Appointed by the Tuscaloosa County Commission in 2004 to serve on this Board. Initiative 7. Initiative 7, led by U.S. Representative Artur Davis (D-Alabama) seeks to assist in increasing building capacity in Black Belt communities. 2001-2002 The Black Belt Initiative. Effort led by Dr. Art Dunning, Vice President for Public Affairs and Outreach at the University of Georgia and Dr. Walter Hill, Dean of Agriculture at Tuskegee University. Input from this effort was presented in the Zell Miller study examining persistent poverty in the Southern Black Belt. States represented in this initiative included Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Arkansas. 2001- present South Regions Minority Business Council (SRMBC). The board is comprised of representatives from major corporations, educational institutions, and automobile manufacturers and supplier located in Alabama. The organization provides minority vendor certification and works to provide opportunities for major corporations to utilize the services of minority businesses. 2000-present 2000-present Ronald E. McNair Scholars Advisory Board. Program designed to engage underrepresented students in academic research in an effort to encourage them to pursue advanced degrees. Tuscaloosa Youth Emergency Services. Program targeting at-risk youth involved in the criminal justice system. 5
2001-present 1999-present Success By Six. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A community-based initiative that seeks to insure that local first graders begin school confidently, healthy, and ready to learn. Challenge 21. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Community development leadership initiative. 1997-2003 Tuscaloosa Clean Community Commission. Appointed by the Tuscaloosa City Council to serve on this board that is charged with recycling, community beautification efforts, and litter prevention. 1992-1997 Big Brothers/Big Sisters of West Alabama. Treasurer. Agency facilitates mentoring relationships for at-risk youth. Developed financial plans, agency budgets and supportive documentation for funding requests. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS 2/2004-present 6/2003-present Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Institutional Reaffirmation and Assessment Team. The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Chair. Martin Luther King, Jr. Realizing the Dream Initiative. Committee comprised of representatives from Stillman College, Shelton State Community College, The University of Alabama, and the local community. The committee plans an annual concert, lecture series, and performing arts initiative that engage the Tuscaloosa community in the discussions about diversity, equality, and human rights. Past artists include Sidney Poitier, Harry Bellefonte, Maya Angelou, and Cicely Tyson. 9/2002-6/2003 Chair. The University of Alabama of Opening Doors program commemorating the 40-year anniversary of the 1963 infamous Stand in the School House Door. The three-day event included symposiums, essay and art contests involving middle and high school students, recognition of civil rights pioneers. This event culminated with a ceremony in front of historic Foster auditorium where both the first African American to graduate from The University of Alabama and the current governor of the State of Alabama offered remarks. The program garnered national attention and a speech on Tuesday, June 10 by Robert Kennedy was later broadcasted on C-SPAN. 6
10/2002-5/2003 The University of Alabama NCAA Reaccreditation committee. Appointed by Interim President Dr. J. Barry Mason. The committee was comprised of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Associate Athletics Director and Senior Women s administrator and was charged with facilitating the University s interim report to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. 10/2002-5/2003 The University of Resource Reallocation Committee. The committee was comprised of Deans, Vice Presidents, and senior staff and was charged with drafting budget recommendations for Interim President Dr. J. Barry Mason. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS 8/2001-present 8/2001-present Michael A. Figures Leadership Experience. Leadership development program targeting 9 th grade students from Alabama. Summer program held at The University of Alabama, Stillman College, and The University of South Alabama. Convener. Human Relations Council. The University of Alabama. This committee is comprised of individuals who serve in a leadership capacity in organizations that place an emphasis on diversity. 1999-2000 Co-Chair. Diversity Oversight Committee. Committee was comprised of students, staff, and faculty charged with planning activities that promoted diversity and inclusiveness on The University of Alabama campus. 1998-1999 Diversity Oversight Committee. Committee was comprised of students, staff, and faculty charged with planning activities that promoted diversity and inclusiveness on The University of Alabama campus. 1993-1994 Chair. Equal Opportunity Committee. Standing committee charged with facilitating discussion of issues relating to equal opportunity and equity at The University of Alabama. 1992-1993 Equal Opportunity Committee. Standing committee charged with facilitating discussion of issues relating to equal opportunity and equity at The University of Alabama. 7
VOLUNTEER AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT 2004-present 2004-present 2003-present Co-Chair. The United Way Campaign for 2004. The University of Alabama. Serve as a member of The University of Alabama s leadership in working with the United Way of West Alabama during the 2004 campaign. Focus on Leadership Steering Committee. Sponsored in conjunction with The Tuscaloosa News and the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce. A leadership development program focusing on recruiting underrepresented groups into community leadership positions. Leadership Tuscaloosa Steering Committee. Sponsored in conjunction with the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and The University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies. VOLUNTEER AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT 2003-2004 Loaned Executive for 2002-2003 United Way Campaign. The University of Alabama. Served as liaison with the United Way of West Alabama on behalf of The University of Alabama. 2001-present 1998-present Chair. The Bridge Builder Celebrity Golf Classic. Sponsored by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the tournament seeks to raise fund for The Barnes Branch YMCA, The First Tee of Tuscaloosa, and local scholarships. NFL Hall of Famer and Baltimore Ravens executive, Ozzie Newsome, serves as the honorary chair. President, Morayshire Estates Neighborhood Association. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 1998 - present. Worked with neighbors to establish the First Annual Community Fall festival in 1998 to promote neighborhood unity, raise funds, and showcase neighborhood to other residents of Tuscaloosa. Festival included music, free food and drinks, games for children and adults, vendors, and remarks from neighbors as well as community and government leaders. 1986- present The University of Alabama Black Faculty and Staff Association. Organization established to work closely with the President s Office on programs to recruit and retain minority faculty, staff, and students. 1998-2002 President 1995-2002 Scholarship Committee chairperson 1993-1996 Parliamentarian 8
In 1995, served as the chair of the Vivian Malone-Jones 30 th Anniversary Graduation Celebration and Scholarship endowment program. Worked closely with the President s Office, the Office of Development, the Office of Alumni Affairs, the Office of University Relations, the College of Commerce and Business Administration, and the College of Continuing Studies in all aspects of the fund-raising, event planning, coordination, and community relations relating to this event. In 1996, served as the chairperson of the James Hood Endowed Scholarship committee. Worked with the Director of External in the College of Studies to develop strategy and solicit gifts for the James Hood Endowed Scholarship. Assisted in obtaining a $5000 gift from Channel 13/WVTM-TV toward the endowment of this scholarship. 1996 and 1998 Tuscaloosa City School Board. Nominated as finalist for vacant school board positions in 1996 and 1998. HONORS AND AWARDS May 2004 January 2004 September 2003 November 2001 November 2001 Community Leadership Award, The Greater Day Project hosted by the Greater New Testament Church. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Community Leadership Award. Presented at the Annual SCLC Unity Day activities on Martin Luther King Day at Beulah Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Sam S. May Award. The Opening Doors Planning Committee, The University of Alabama. The Earnest E. Just Visionary Award presented by Alpha Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for the vision displayed in organizing the Bridge Builder Celebrity Golf Classic to raise funds for local youth programs. Advisor of the Year, presented by the Order of Omega during their annual fall awards ceremony. 9
PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS 2002-2004 Moderator. A Panel of Community College Presidents. Sponsored as part of the The University of Alabama Community Leadership Development program. 2001-2004 Presenter. CHOICES program. The program is sponsored by the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and is intended to facilitate students to think more about how their current choices will affect their futures. March 2004 January 2003 March 2002 Presenter. The Keys to Success. Spring Youth Development Workshop at Weeping Mary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama Presenter. Cost Savings and Effective Budgeting. Purchasing Association of Central Alabama (PACA). Presentation at their annual spring 2003 meeting. Presenter. Personal Development and Cultural Awareness at the Foster Youth Workshops sponsored by the College of Continuing Studies. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 1999- present Council on the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) 1998 Completed Financial Affairs Administrative Internship Program. 1994 Graduate of Leadership Tuscaloosa. Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1994 TQM Facilitator Training. The University of Alabama. 1987 Financial Affairs Core Professional Training. The University of Alabama 1986 Interaction Management. The University of Alabama. ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS National Association of Presidential Assistants The University of Alabama National Alumni Association Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Tuscaloosa Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) PERSONAL Married with two teenage children Hobbies include exercising and golf Attend Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama 10