"I believe, as my father believed, that a problem is nothing more than an opportunity dressed in work clothes. I believe that integrity, vision, accountability,
and the ability to motivate others is the bedrock of leadership."


Bettye Ward Fletcher, DSW


   

Dr. Bettye Ward Fletcher is a career academician, researcher, and administrator. During her twenty-five years in higher education she ascended the academic ladder from instructor to Interim President. Other positions held include Director of the Interdisciplinary Alcohol and Drug Studies Center, Graduate Dean, and Vice President for Research and Development. She has earned academic degrees from Tougaloo College, Atlanta University, and the University of Alabama. She has done further study at Harvard University. In addition to her earned degrees, her alma mater conferred on her an honorary doctorate in 1999.

Dr. Fletcher is the founder of Professional Associates, Inc., an organizational development consulting firm specializing in proposal writing, outcomes evaluation, strategic planning and organizational infrastructure development. Her firm has a growing clientele including corporations, institutions of higher learning, philanthropic foundations and community and faith-based organizations.

Dr. Fletcher has experienced all aspects of Grantsmanship. She has successfully written, awarded and reviewed grants in the public and philanthropic areas. Over the course of her career she has generated over $17 million in funded grants. As a state agency head, she designed a peer-review system for awarding over $54 million in grants. Thirdly, Dr. Fletcher has served as a grants reviewer for several federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She has also served as a Grant Review Committee Chair for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention.

In 2001, Dr. Fletcher gave leadership to the establishment of a faith-inspired nonprofit organization in her native rural community, which received its first grant for $100,000 six months later. The mission of this organization is to improve the quality of life among rural residents through family and youth development.

At this juncture in her life, Dr. Fletcher's focus is on being significant rather than being successful. To this end, her spirituality is the central focus of her life. She is dedicated to living a purposeful life through practice of servant leadership. She is also an avid gardener. She is the mother of Imari, 30, and Aisha, 26 and has four energetic grandsons.

HONORS & AWARDS

  • Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters,Tougaloo College
  • Ford Foundation Leadership Development Fellowship
  • Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse Minority Research Fellowship
  • Leadership Jackson (Class of 1993)
  • Essence Magazine Phenomenal Women of Mississippi
  • Mississippi Business Journal - Top 50 Business Women


 
 
Professional Associates, Inc., 1900 Dunbarton Drive, Suite G, Jackson, Mississippi 39216 or P.O. Box 5711, Brandon, MS 39047 Tel: 601.982.1593, Fax: 601.982.1594
 
Copyright 2005. Professional Associates, Inc., All Rights Reserved.