Outstanding Alumni – Makeba Morgan Hill

MAKEBA MORGAN HILL (EdD, 2013) serves as the deputy to the president and chief planner of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in New York City, supporting the efforts of the president and overseeing the foundation’s multiple planning efforts. Prior to joining the foundation, she spent 14 years in strategic planning roles at Emory Healthcare and Emory University. Most recently, she served as assistant vice provost for planning and accreditation at Emory in the Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness. In addition to her doctorate from UGA, she holds a master’s degree in health services administration with a concentration in strategic planning and marketing from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in health care management from Florida A&M University.

What are you currently working on (i.e. research, major projects, etc.)?

The Mellon Foundation completed a programmatic strategic plan entitled “Continuity and Change” in the fall of 2014. As with many plans, the “change” component tends to be a source of stress for internal and external constituents. Most recently, I have been working with senior staff to facilitate the implementation of portions of the strategic plan for programs, especially in several of the “change” areas. Critical components of the plan with which I am involved include: new program development, organization-wide assessment and evaluation, and facility planning to support future growth, accessibility, and sustainability.

In what ways does your IHE training apply to your work?

Through my IHE training, I have a clearer understanding of the history and challenges facing institutions of higher education today. The Mellon Foundation supports institutions of higher education and works with grantees to address some of the major issues facing institutions, particularly with regards to preserving the humanities and the arts. I attribute my confidence as a solid contributor in the conversation about needs, trends, and areas worthy of support in higher education to the training and exposure I received through IHE. I also find that I use the research and analytical skills that were honed through my training in the Ed.D. program in my everyday work. Long-term, I think the program has given me a platform to make a contribution, whether it is in higher education, in private philanthropy, or in other relevant fields. I’ve found the skills and knowledge gained through IHE to be highly useful and transferable.

What’s your favorite memory of IHE and/or your experience as a student?

My favorite and most memorable experiences in the executive Ed.D. program were the international visits to the Netherlands and China. The visits provided an opportunity to bond with my cohort while learning about the similarities and differences in higher education abroad compared to the U.S., and experiencing these very different environments.

What do you think is IHE’s best asset?

I think the best asset of IHE is the faculty. I found the faculty to be knowledgeable, accessible, and supportive. My major professor, Dr. James Hearn, was all of those things and more. As I developed my dissertation, there were many times when I doubted whether or not I could do it. It was a challenge balancing full-time work, family obligations, and school. He reassured me, often, that I could do it and embedded in my mind a “can do” attitude. He would say, “Get‘er done,” and that is exactly what I did. I am forever grateful.

If you could sum up your IHE experience in three words, what would you say?

Time well spent.