The Bennett College Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Teresa Hardee, EdD, CPA, LSSBB, as Interim President, effective June 1, 2025. Dr. Hardee will lead the institution during a period of critical transition and strategic renewal.
A proven leader in higher education, Dr. Hardee brings to Bennett College more than 20+ years of leadership in higher education, state agencies and business settings. Her background includes experience in financial and operational management and enrollment management. Throughout her career, Hardee has demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, institutional sustainability, and mission-driven leadership. Her career includes stewarding multi-million-dollar budgets, strengthening administrative operations, and driving organizational effectiveness in colleges and universities undergoing significant transformation.
In this interim capacity, Dr. Hardee will focus on addressing the College’s most pressing challenges, including enrollment growth, financial stability, and optimizing work processes.
“We are confident that Dr. Hardee is the right leader to guide Bennett College through this important period,” said Cassandra Jones Havard ’78, Chair of the Bennett College Board of Trustees. “Her fervent belief in women’s education, coupled with her experience in navigating complex institutional environments, will provide steady leadership as we prepare for the next chapter in Bennett’s storied history.”
Dr. Hardee will work closely with the Board, faculty, staff, students, and alumnae to implement immediate strategies aimed at stabilizing enrollment, strengthening institutional advancement, and advancing the College’s mission as one of only two historically Black colleges for women in the United States.
“I am truly honored to serve Bennett College at such a pivotal time,” said Dr. Hardee. “Bennett’s legacy is unmatched, and its future holds even greater promise. Together with the Bennett community, I am committed to building on its strengths and charting a bold path forward.”
The Board of Trustees will provide additional updates regarding its national search for a permanent president. In the meantime, the College remains focused on advancing academic excellence, operational strength, and a student-centered campus environment.
