Introduction
Myron Pope grew up in Sweet Water, AL. He graduated from high school there, and attended college at the University of Alabama where he completed three degrees. He has engaged in extensive personal and professional development experiences through the years.
He believes in the notion that you should leave the woodpile higher than you found it, and to that end, he has always tried to give more than he receives. There are many who contributed to who he is, and he strives to give back to others so that they can be the best version of themselves.
Professionally, he has worked in higher education most of his career, but he has extensive executive level experiences in nonprofits, state government, and corporate America also. He has completed consultative work in all of these sectors over the past twenty (20) years. In all of his work, he has been noted as dynamic, caring, and engaged leader. His commitment to building and leading equitable educational and work environments is a hallmark of his career as he embraces the importance of incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of the organizations that he leads.
He is recognized as an influential and self-driven leader with expertise in leading high-performing teams, while creating a collaborative culture that values individual skills and empowers team members to deliver outcomes for the organization. He possesses excellent interpersonal skills and is adept at working with diverse personalities while exhibiting transparency and agility within fast-paced environments.
He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and he has been involved in many federal, regional, state, and local organizations. He committed to these appointments and volunteer experiences due to his commitment to community, something that he learned and has valued from his upbringing.
He is married to the love of his life, Shanna, and they have three children in their blended family, Michael, Allison, and Isaiah. They are incredibly gifted and talented, and they are an amazing blessing. They enjoy spending time together playing board games, hiking, and traveling.
The readings here are part of his story. He enjoys writing, so this is an opportunity to do what he enjoys while also sharing some thoughts on topics that are important to him. Please enjoy them.
Finally, please find more details about my research at the following links:
Google Scholar
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8j28b2sAAAAJ
ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Myron-Pope-2
Professional Skills and Experiences:
Leadership and Management: I have demonstrated effective leadership and management skills in overseeing diverse teams, departments, and initiatives within higher education, nonprofits, state government, and private industry, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and fostering a positive organizational culture.
Budget Development and Management: My extensive experience in budget development and fiscal management includes strategically allocating resources, optimizing funding opportunities, and maintaining financial sustainability within the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. During my time in higher education, I administered budgets from the federal government, the state government, fundraised dollars, grants, and tuition and fees. Budget leadership has included total budgets of over $120 million.
Facilities Management: I have successfully supervised facilities and led renovation and construction projects, prioritizing campus safety, functionality, and aesthetics to align with operational missions.
Teaching and Curriculum Development: Through teaching graduate and undergraduate courses, I have focused on innovative curriculum development, student assessment strategies, and the development of learning outcomes to enhance academic excellence. This experience with teaching adults and understanding adult learning theory (which was a significant part of my learning experience in graduate school) have led to consulting opportunities in higher education, nonprofits and the private sector. Organizational development is a significant skillset that I possess.
Program Management: I have a proven track record in program management in various sectors, from conceptualization and development to implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement to meet customer/student needs and organizational objectives.
Crisis Management: I have effectively managed crises and emergencies by implementing proactive response strategies, ensuring clear communication channels, and collaborating with stakeholders to mitigate risks and minimize disruptions. I have certifications from FEMA that was gained through these experiences.
Strategic Planning: I have developed and executed strategic plans that align with organizational vision and mission, driving innovation, enhancing customer/student services, and achieving measurable outcomes in customer/student success and satisfaction. I led several divisions that I supervised in the creation, implementation, and evaluation of strategic plans, to include a couple of strategic enrollment plans. I have engaged in several consultations with organizations to assist them in the creation of robust strategic plans which were guided by an environmental analysis (SWOT).
Change Management: I am skilled in leading change initiatives by fostering a culture of adaptability, engaging stakeholders, communicating vision and objectives effectively, and facilitating the successful implementation of change processes. Change management is another hallmark of my career.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: My expertise in collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and effective communication strategies has strengthened relationships with various audiences, including government and community stakeholders, enhancing partnerships and support for organizational initiatives.
Data Utilization & Assessment/Evaluation: I have utilized data-driven approaches for segmentation, analysis, and decision-making, leveraging insights to optimize program effectiveness, student engagement strategies, and resource allocation. My experience in assessing the effectiveness of programs and services through data analysis and evaluation methodologies has informed evidence-based decision-making, continuous improvement, and accountability within the division. I have conducted extensive research which has been published and presented in refereed conference settings and publications. That research has been quantitative and qualitative in nature. Additionally, my research skills have been relevant in assessing organizational operations and using that information to assess organizational planning (employee engagement, student satisfaction, customer perceptions, validation of products, climate assessments, DEI related topics). I have served for many years as a formative and summative evaluator of programs and grants (federal).
Compliance: I have ensured compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies within the organizations in which I have worked, conducting audits, developing compliance strategies, and implementing corrective actions as needed to maintain adherence to standards and mitigate risks. These audits have been based upon a variety of entities at the federal, state, and local levels, to include state health departments, the CDC, federal grants, federal financial aid, USDOE and other agencies (Title IX, ADA, sexual harassment, anti-discrimination in programming and services), athletics (NCAA and conferences), and accreditation (HLC and SACS). These experiences and knowledge are transferable to areas beyond higher education, and it was a critical element of my consulting work also as I worked with various entities to help them to achieve their organizational goals.
Student Development: I am committed to creating and implementing programs that support holistic student growth, development, and success, fostering a supportive and inclusive campus environment. This work included the creation of innovative student outcome programs that focused on providing students with the skills to be ready for work and life.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): I actively promote DEI initiatives, creating inclusive environments where all students feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed academically and personally. This work was a significant part of my consultative work also as I helped organizations to measure their cultural climate and provided employees with strategies to identify and overcome various levels of bias while creating an inclusive and equitable workplace.
Government Affairs and Policy Analysis: I have engaged in government affairs by collaborating with policymakers, advocating for student-related policies, and conducting policy analysis to ensure alignment with institutional goals and regulatory requirements. I also led legislative affairs at the largest state agency in the State of Oklahoma.
The word from the Pope 