Latasia Priest Recognized for Leadership in University Advancement

Latasia Priest could teach a masterclass on leadership. She knows the power of opportunity and connection, and the importance of fostering communication and collaboration. 

Known for uplifting others and encouraging their success, the executive director of engagement for NC State was recently honored with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education District III Opportunity and Inclusion Award. 

CASE

CASE describes itself as an international nonprofit association “committed to increasing the diversity of the advancement profession by helping institutions connect with their diverse constituencies and by creating pathways for current and future advancement professionals of diverse backgrounds.” 

Each year, the CASE DIII Opportunity and Inclusion Award recognizes an advancement professional in the Southeast who, like Priest, “displays leadership in fostering inclusion and diversity within the profession, on campus and/or within the surrounding community.” 

Recipients of this award, who include Priest’s NC State colleague Karen Sims Harrell, who was honored in 2021, exhibit enduring passion for the advancement of diversity and have made tangible contributions toward that effort. They demonstrate an ongoing commitment to aid and elevate diverse new leaders within the profession.

Priest has been highly engaged with CASE, mentoring participants in the CASE Advancement Intern Program, serving on the planning committee for the OneCASE virtual conference and actively participating in various conferences, including the Minority Advancement Institute.

At the district level, Priest contributed significantly by serving on the district cabinet as the DIII Opportunity and Inclusion Liaison. Additionally, she played key roles on the conference planning committee, including co-chairing the conference, reviewing applicants for district scholarships and helping establish the first CASE DIII affinity group, which fosters a supportive community for Black advancement professionals to connect and grow.

Building Community

“I have worked closely with Latasia in her capacity as a champion for community, access, equity, inclusion and belonging for a number of years, and I have seen firsthand how her leadership has significantly helped strengthen our culture and propel us toward building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive team,” said Brian C. Sischo, vice chancellor of university advancement at NC State, in his award nomination letter.

Priest joined NC State in early 2018 as assistant director of annual fund and prospect development for the North Carolina Textile Foundation, which supports the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State. She became the associate director of development with NCTF in July 2019, then its director of alumni engagement and strategic initiatives in early 2022. 

During her time at the NCTF, Priest served on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and oversaw the creation of their mini-grant program and the Unraveling the Truth series. She began her current position as executive director of engagement for the university in July 2023. Before joining the Wolfpack, Priest held positions of increasing responsibility in the areas of engagement and alumni relations, first at the University of Tennessee, then at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

One of the ways Latasia embodies the Think and Do mindset is the emphasis on the do.

Priest was an inaugural member of TIDE, University Advancement’s committee for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. She served two years as vice chair and another two as chair, working to impact those around her. Under her guidance, TIDE helped educate hiring managers on promoting positions widely to reach a diverse audience; conducted an audit of NC State boards to ensure broader representation; and engaged in successful messaging via monthly newsletters, book clubs and a conversation series. These aimed to educate and stimulate impactful communication around topics including allyship and engaging with donors of marginalized identities. 

“One of the ways Latasia embodies the Think and Do mindset is the emphasis on the do,” said Amy Rossi, director of development communications at NC State. “In a large institution with a lot of moving pieces, it can be easy to get caught up on the think part, analyzing an issue from all sides, discussing all the angles — all important things! But in Latasia’s TIDE leadership, she never let that distract from the doing.” 

Rossi added that as TIDE chair, Priest ensured she was delegating responsibility and “creating space for other people to step up and Think and Do as well.”

Uplifting Others

Priest also was instrumental in the launch of Wolfpack Women in Philanthropy, a volunteer group dedicated to connecting women across the NC State community and to opportunities to support the university. 

“Growing this kind of engagement effort is no easy task, and Latasia’s commitment was vital to helping WWiP become a valued and important part of NC State’s volunteer leadership,” said Sischo.

For her service in advancing women’s equity, Priest was the staff recipient of the 2022 Equity for Women Award, presented by the NC State Council on the Status of Women.

“In her current role as executive director of engagement, Latasia helps current — and future — alumni build their affinity with NC State,” Sischo said. “Each and every day, her work is guided by principles of inclusion and opportunity because the strength of the Pack is each individual wolf. We are so fortunate to benefit from all that Latasia does to strengthen our community, and I cannot imagine a more deserving recipient for this award.”

She immediately struck me as somebody who was ready to get to work and make a difference.

Rossi, who worked closely with Priest as part of TIDE, describes her as a “generous spirit” and a “person of action” — a leader who inspires others by her very character.

“She immediately struck me as somebody who was ready to get to work and make a difference,” said Rossi. “One of the best things about working with Latasia is her commitment to creating opportunities for others and seeing where somebody can grow … creating that pathway for them to take an opportunity. I feel like she’s helped me find a lot of opportunities for growth, personally. She’s incredibly accomplished, but she’s not pulling up the ladder behind her … She deserves every accolade that comes her way.”