News Summary
Florida A&M University has appointed Marcus Burgess as its inaugural senior vice president of Enterprise Partnerships and Innovation. Starting September 29, Burgess will enhance the university’s external collaborations with corporate, philanthropic, governmental, and academic partners. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, he aims to identify new opportunities for FAMU, aligning it better with funding and partnership strategies. President Marva Johnson emphasized Burgess’s role in transforming FAMU’s approach to partnership development.
Tallahassee, Florida — Marcus Burgess has been appointed as Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) inaugural senior vice president of Enterprise Partnerships and Innovation, a position newly created by President Marva Johnson. Burgess will officially take on the role starting September 29, aiming to strengthen FAMU’s connections with a variety of external organizations.
In his new role, Burgess will focus on fostering collaboration with corporate, philanthropic, governmental, and academic entities. This strategic endeavor forms part of Johnson’s vision to enhance the university’s operational and educational initiatives.
President Johnson highlighted Burgess’s extensive background in higher education, boasting over 20 years of experience in institutional advancement and strategic fundraising. His expertise will be vital as he also acts as an advisor to Johnson, identifying opportunities and addressing challenges related to partnership development and funding.
Suspected to bring considerable change to the university’s partnership strategies, Burgess’s responsibilities will include spearheading cross-sector collaborations and strategic alignment across various schools and colleges within FAMU. Although he currently has no direct reports, he will report directly to President Johnson.
This announcement comes soon after several key appointments made by Johnson during her first week as president in August. Alongside Burgess’s appointment, she named Kelvin Lawson as the new executive vice president and chief operations officer, filling the position left vacant by Donald Palm. Furthermore, Michelle Robinson, a former Verizon executive, has taken over as vice president of Government Relations following the resignation of Jamal Sowell.
Burgess brings a wealth of experience from his previous positions. He served as the interim president at Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he contributed to an 18% increase in graduates, marking the largest graduating class in over a decade. Before that, he held the role of vice president for Institutional Advancement at Claflin University, where he was instrumental in raising over $18 million in private funding.
Additionally, Burgess has held leadership positions focused on institutional advancement at Florida Memorial University, Voorhees College, and York Technical College. A native of Cades, South Carolina, he holds degrees from Claflin University, The Citadel, and Vanderbilt University.
The establishment of this new senior leadership role is designed to better position FAMU in an increasingly competitive landscape for funding and partnerships. It is not intended to replace any existing senior leadership team members at the university but rather to expand the university’s capacity to engage with external partners effectively.
Burgess has expressed enthusiasm for his new position, stating his intention to build transformative partnerships that will foster opportunity and innovation at FAMU as the university strives to fulfill its mission of educational excellence.
Overall, the appointment of Marcus Burgess marks a significant step for Florida A&M University, as it seeks to advance its network and create impactful collaborations that can drive future growth and success.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tallahassee Community Faces Major Challenges Amid Key Developments
Tallahassee City Commission to Discuss FSU and TMH Agreement
FAMU Board Approves $76.7 Million Budget Request
Tallahassee Forms Magnetic Capital Research Advisory Council
Florida Launches Art and Essay Contests for Hispanic Heritage Month
FAMU Seeks $375,000 Grant for Nursing Education Program
Leon Entrepreneurship and Adversity Program Applications Open
Florida State University Ends Investment Talks with Sixth Street
Blaise Ingoglia Appointed as Florida’s New Chief Financial Officer
Tallahassee University Unveils World’s Largest Magnetic Sculpture
Additional Resources
- NBC News: 1M Coins Recovered from Spanish Shipwreck
- Wikipedia: Florida
- Dallas News: The Stanley Cup Still Runs Through Florida
- Google Search: Stanley Cup Florida
- Arkansas Online: Florida, a Leading Destination for Immigration
- Google Scholar: Florida Immigration
- Florida Politics: Josie Tomkow Backs Hilary Holley
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida Politics
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
