Dr. Teresa Hardee
Dr. Teresa Hardee, CPA, LSSBB began her tenure as Interim President of Bennett College on June 1, 2025, taking on the mantle of leadership with a deep belief in the transformative power of women’s education. She leads the College at a pivotal and promising moment in its history—on the eve of its centennial as a college for women.
A distinguished higher education executive with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Hardee brings a strong record of leadership across universities, state agencies, and corporate environments. Before joining Bennett, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Claflin University, where she played a key role in strengthening institutional operations, financial management, and strategic planning.
Dr. Hardee holds an EdD in Educational Leadership, is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and is credentialed as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB)—a combination that positions her uniquely at the intersection of academic leadership, financial stewardship, and operational transformation. Her expertise spans financial and operational management, enrollment strategy, organizational transformation, and the advancement of student-centered initiatives. She has overseen multi-million-dollar budgets, strengthened institutional systems, and elevated operational effectiveness in environments undergoing significant change.
At Bennett College, Dr. Hardee is leading the institution at a time of notable momentum, as the College focuses on expanding enrollment, reinforcing financial stability, and modernizing campus operations. Recent progress includes a 17% increase in overall enrollment, a 63% rise in first-time freshwomen, a 25% increase in applications, and a 124% increase in transfer students.
Her leadership priorities emphasize technology, innovation, and strategic partnerships that reinforce Bennett’s upward trajectory and position the College for long-term success. She is re-engineering vital campus operations to improve efficiency and effectiveness and advancing the development of data dashboards designed to strengthen institutional decision-making and accountability.
Dr. Hardee’s impact extends beyond Bennett’s campus. She was honored with the Change Agent Award at the UNCF UNITE 2025 Conference, recognizing her leadership in institutional transformation and her commitment to advancing Black higher education.
Deeply committed to the mission of Bennett College, Dr. Hardee leads with purpose, innovation, and a focus on student success. Her work ensures that Bennett remains academically strong, student-centered, and a hub for future-focused career and personal development —making Bennett College well positioned for its next century as one of the nation’s only historically Black colleges dedicated to the education and empowerment of women.