Texas Southern University welcomes Charlie W. Coleman, III, J.D., MBA, as the new Associate Vice President of Development. Charlie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. Charlie has a proven track record of philanthropic and for-profit revenue-driving success. For over 15 years, Charlie has led high-performing teams by creating strong, strategic collaborative partnerships, and he is prepared to enhance the University’s fundraising as a global leader in higher education.

“Charlie joins the Development and Alumni Relations team at a pivotal time,” said Interim President Mary Evans Sias. “We are building a strong dynamic team with several new staff members focused on increasing philanthropic resources and building stronger relationships with our alumni and friends for the University.”

Coleman most recently served as the Assistant Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations at Dillard University. Under his leadership, the institution reimagined affinity through the creation and execution of campaigns that resulted in double-digit growth in alumni giving, exceeded corporate and foundation revenue goals, and introduced an email marketing strategy that achieved an average open rate of nearly 40%.

There, he oversaw the planning and implementation of various fundraising and development initiatives. This included the institution's first-ever alumni-centered homecoming and annual and legacy-giving societies that expanded Dillard's fundraising base and activated several new classes of donors.

His professional career began as an ambassador for the Black College Fund, an extension of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry within the United Methodist Church. As an advocate and trusted partner to those pursuing academic accessibility, he ensured that 11 HBCUs affiliated with the United Methodist Church were supported by advancing their promotion through fundraising efforts.

At Howard University, he maintained a multi-million-dollar portfolio of more than 16,000 donors and led the establishment of an Annual Giving Leadership program at Howard University. Mr. Coleman achieved record-high alumni donor acquisition, retention, and recapture totals in this capacity. This resulted in the growth of the undergraduate alumni participation rate with a 26% improvement over the fiscal year and the second-largest number of undergraduate donors ever, significant growth in all strata of annual giving donors, and closing the fiscal year with over $28k annual giving-level gifts, over $8M committed to Howard University.

"Texas Southern offers me the opportunity to affirm my commitment to advancing the HBCU mission of improving the lives of students of color by providing education that leads to opportunity," Coleman said. “I'm excited to work with our alumni and corporate community to advance TSU’s legacy of excellence in achievement. I’m also energized by the honor to innovate and optimize more opportunities for students, faculty, and staff through philanthropy.”

A native of Louisiana, he holds an Executive MBA from Howard University, a Juris Doctorate with a specialization in Technology and Entrepreneurship from Loyola University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Dillard University. He served his alma mater as a former president of the Dillard University National Alumni Association and a member of the Board of Trustees.