Huston-Tillotson University president to retire in 2022
Colette Pierce Burnette, Huston-Tillotson University president and CEO, has announced that she will retire June 30.
In a letter to the university community Friday, Burnette said she notified the Board of Trustees that she is retiring and that the time is right for her to “pass the baton of leadership.” Burnette, 63, was named president in 2015. She was the first woman to hold the position since the merger of Tillotson College and Samuel Huston College in 1952.
“I have learned far more from my students (our genius generation), my esteemed faculty, and my amazing staff than they have learned from me,” Burnette said. “I am eternally grateful and humbled by the grace, love, commitment, encouragement and willingness to embrace change and innovation you gave me during my tenure.”
More: Huston-Tillotson to require COVID-19 vaccination, with exemptions, for all students
Under Burnette’s leadership, Huston-Tillotson, a private, historically Black university in East Austin, grew its endowment by more than 55%, according to a media release.
The university also partnered with Apple to create the African American Male Teacher Initiative, which was Burnette’s “passion project," and it collaborated with Tesla on a manufacturing engineering curriculum and a career progression internship for undergraduates, according to the media release.
Huston-Tillotson opened the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in East Austin, began a Master of Business Administration program designed for working individuals, and enhanced its science, technology, engineering and math programs during her tenure. Burnette also oversaw the university’s transition to online learning at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition back to in-person instruction this fall.
Burnette had applied for the presidency at Alabama A&M University, a public historically Black university, and she was one of two finalists for the position. However, the university selected Daniel Wims, provost and vice president for academic affairs and research at Alabama A&M, for the position in October.
During the interview with Alabama A&M, Burnette said she was “ready to move” and wanted to be president of “a large STEM school.” She told interviewers that after obtaining her doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Pennsylvania in 2015, she needed experience with community engagement and fundraising, which she gained at Huston-Tillotson.
“I love what I'm doing, but I'm ready to take it to the next level,” Burnette said during the interview for the position.
Carol McDonald, chair of the Huston-Tillotson Board of Trustees, said in a news release that the university will launch a national search to find a successor who can “build on all Huston-Tillotson University has become.”
“Huston-Tillotson University (HT) has been blessed to have Dr. Burnette’s leadership for the past seven years,” McDonald said. “Her vision and perseverance have made HT a stronger, more vibrant, and more visible institution in Austin and beyond.”
Burnette said she was blessed to serve the students and “deeply committed and mission-minded” faculty and staff during her tenure. She said in her letter that serving as president will “forever remain” one of her most treasured and valued life experiences.
“I look forward to seeing Huston-Tillotson University continue to prosper,” Burnette said. “I will be everlastingly proud to have played a role in the University’s transformation, evolution to excellence and growth. It has been my calling and an honor to serve.”
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Huston-Tillotson University president to retire in June 2022
