Last week, Union University announced Catherine Kwasigroh as the new Vice President for Institutional Advancement. She will begin working in her role May 2.
Kwasigroh has a long history with both Union and West Tennessee, graduating from the university with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1990 and working with West Tennessee Healthcare for 25 years. Kwasigroh also earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee.
In a news release from the university, Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said Kwasigroh “has a strong network of relationships in Jackson and throughout West Tennessee, she is one of our own graduates who knows and loves her alma mater and she has a passion for advancing the mission and vision of Union.”
“It is an unexpected blessing that God has called me to return to Union University to serve my alma mater,” Kwasigroh said. “I am truly honored and humbled and plan to make the most of every opportunity advancing Union’s mission of providing Christ-centered education promoting excellence and character development in service to church and society.”
Kaylee Gibson, junior public relations major and Student Government Association president, was part of the search committee that judged candidates for the vice president’s position. Gibson said the committee looked at many candidates and Kwasigroh “went through lots of intense interviews before being offered the job.”
In particular, Gibson was impressed with Kwasigroh’s clarity and honesty.
“She performed exceptionally well under all of the pressure,” Gibson said. “I was so impressed by her openness with the committee. She talked openly about her strengths and her weaknesses. After just the first interview I felt like I really knew who she was.”
Kwasigroh brings experience to her role as vice president. During her time at West Tennessee Healthcare she worked as controller, executive director of finance, corporate compliance officer and vice president for hospital services. In this role, she oversaw the operations at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.
During her time there, she played an important role in building the Kirkland Cancer Center along with helping develop the physician integrated oncology services of the center.
This track record gives Gibson optimism about Kwasigroh’s role on campus in the days to come. Gibson said she thinks she will be an excellent addition to the school’s Executive Council and added that she was excited to see a woman in the role.
“I think it will be advantageous for them to have her perspective,” Gibson said
Kwasigroh and her family are familiar to the Jackson community. Her husband, Ron, is the administrator of the Therapy and Learning Center, while the couple’s daughters, Sydney and Kaleigh, are both students at the University School of Jackson.