Dr. Tierney J. Bates has established himself as national thought leader, speaker, networker, career coach, innovator, and voice on diversity, equity, inclusion, and GENERATION NOW! He has given over 180 keynote talks, presentations, and workshops. With over 20+ years in higher education, he has progressed from entry level to senior level administration providing leadership, vision, and responsibility for strategic.
initiatives and solutionsin student services, diversity & inclusion, career services/workforce development, recruitment, and fundraising. He is currently the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina Upstate and was formerly at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Special Projects & Executive Director and hasserved in leadership roles at Virginia Union University, North Carolina Central University, University of Louisville, University of Tennessee, and Bowling Green State University.

He is also the founder and Chief Engagement Officer of The Bates Group LLC that is a premier boutique consulting and education agency, specializing in working with higher education, corporate industry, and nonprofits, the areas of focus include: Career Coaching & Development, Black Speakers Bureau, DEI Strategy, plans, and assessments, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Training & Workshops, DiverseTalent Searches, Fundraising Consulting for Identity-Based & Diversity fundraising needs.

Clients Include: City of Brookhaven, Georgia, Leadership Knoxville, CatalystEd, Scripps
Network, KeyBank, Target, Smuckers Company, The Link Group, Enterprise Rentals, North
Carolina Department of Administration, Purdue University, Miami University of Ohio,
Hampden-Sydney College, University of New Hampshire, Penn State University, Temple
University, South Carolina State University and The Circle of Change to name a few.