TM² Executive Search Recruits Chief Development Officer for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
November 3, 2025 – After a national search, TM² Executive Search (TM²) has assisted in the recruitment of Jonathan Sandville as chief development officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). “After a comprehensive nationwide search, I’m delighted to welcome Jonathan as our chief development officer,” said Harry L. Williams, president and CEO of TMCF. “We’re excited to utilize his background in development to elevate our impact to higher levels. Jonathan is an excellent addition to our development team and I look forward to their results under his leadership.”
Mr. Sandville, who most recently served as a commissioner of the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission at the State Bar of California, will lead development activities at TMCF. In his role at the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission, he helped to oversee and administer over $210 million in grants annually for nonprofit civil legal aid organizations throughout the State of California. Mr. Sandville has also held the titles of president and CEO (African American Board Leadership Institute), vice president (The City University of New York, Liberty Science Center, National Urban League), chief development officer (Legal Defense & Education Fund, GLAAD), senior fellow (Institute for Non-profit Practice) and guest lecturer (University of Southern California). He also serves on the boards of the Northridge Hospital Foundation (Dignity Health) and the Legal Services Trust Fund Commission (State Bar of California).
At TMCF, Mr. Sandville is responsible for designing and implementing a robust fundraising strategy to amplify the organization’s mission, impact and sustainability. He will also lead efforts to engage major donors, corporations, foundations and government entities, fostering partnerships that align with TMCF’s strategic goals.
“It’s an honor to join the renowned Thurgood Marshall College Fund,” Mr. Sandville said. “I look forward to making an impact for the incredible students and institutions we serve.”
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is named for Thurgood Marshall, the U.S. Supreme Court’s first African American justice. It was established in 1987 under the leadership of Dr. N. Joyce Payne in cooperation with Miller Brewing Co., Sony Music, the NBA, Reebok and the American Association for State Colleges and Universities. TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending its 54 member schools, including publicly supported HBCUs, PBIs, historically Black community colleges (HBCC), medical schools and law schools.
TM² Executive Search specializes in providing exemplary executive talent acquisition consultation for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Predominantly Black Institutions, and other organizations looking to attract highly qualified, motivated, accomplished diverse candidates at all levels of the administration. The firm focuses on filling C-suite leadership positions, including presidents, chancellors and their cabinet-level direct reports, and board directorships.
In 2016, four former black college presidents launched TM² Executive Search. The firm is the brainchild of former black college presidents John Garland (former president of Central State University); Sidney Ribeau (former president of Howard University); Wayne Watson (president emeritus of Chicago State University); and Dorothy Cowser Yancy (president emerita of Johnson C. Smith University & Shaw University).
Related: TM² Executive Search Fills Senior Position for Benedict College
Amanda Washington Lockett is the interim president at TM² Executive Search. She is a dedicated scholar-practitioner with over a decade of experience in higher education and strategy development. Dr. Washington Lockett’s research and practice focus on innovations in higher education, transformative leadership and institutional sustainability. She has served as a strategic advisor to the presidents of two Minority Serving Institutions and most recently served as a Strategist for the Institute for Capacity Building (ICB) at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). In this role, she developed strategic priorities and initiatives that improved the sustainability and institutional outcomes at HBCUs.
Fort Valley State University Search
TM² also recently assisted in the recruitment of Vonda M. Easterling as dean of students at Fort Valley State University (FVSU). “I am truly pleased with TM² and the professional, prompt engagement during our dean of students search,” said Timothy L. Hatchett, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. “I would gladly recommend their services to my colleagues. Exceptional experience.”
Dr. Easterling brings nearly 30 years of progressive leadership in student affairs, enrollment management, academic support, and student success. A student-engaged, equity-driven higher education leader, she has built a distinguished career designing and leading high-impact initiatives that expand access, foster engagement, and drive success for first-generation, historically underrepresented, and non-traditional students.
Most recently, Dr. Easterling served as consultant/coordinator for housing and residence life at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where she advanced strategic planning, operational improvements, and student engagement initiatives aligned with institutional priorities. Her career includes senior leadership roles at Elizabeth City State University, Shaw University, and North Carolina Central University, where she consistently achieved measurable gains in retention, enrollment, and student satisfaction.
Related: TM² Executive Search Recruits Provost for Claflin University
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
