Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Morris
Hi Kimberly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In 2002, I began my career in higher education with a part-time role as a financial aid assistant at Georgia Perimeter College. Over the past 20 years, I’ve had the privilege of working at five different colleges and universities across Georgia. However, after experiencing the effects of COVID-19 and the loss of my grandmother, I came to realize that it was time to build a life that reflected my personal values, rather than just chasing titles and salaries.
During my time at my first Historically Black College or University (HBCU), I became deeply aware of the challenges students face when enrolling in college. The quality of service, technology, and expertise often fell short—not because of the institutions themselves, but because these schools are frequently underfunded and lack the resources they’ve been promised or are due. This eye-opening experience made me realize that the traditional college administration path was no longer the right fit for me. I wanted to make a greater impact, so I founded Higher Ed Consulting (HEC), with a focus on meeting the needs of HBCUs and Predominantly Black Colleges for experienced financial aid professionals. Our mission is to streamline financial aid and enrollment processes to improve the overall student experience. We offer services like software implementation, talent acquisition through recruitment and training, interim leadership, and staffing support to bridge gaps in enrollment management.
As HEC grew, I noticed a recurring issue throughout my career: the lack of resources and knowledge available to those who need it most. To address this, I created an extension of HEC called Higher Ed Consulting Tough Questions (HECTQ). HECTQ is an online platform that fosters networking among higher education administrators and staff. It provides a space for members to manage their professional development through connections, collaborations, and conversations, with plans for training and webinars in the future.
What makes HECTQ stand out is its commitment to supporting higher education administrators at any institution, regardless of size or location. It’s open to administrators and staff alike, removing the uncertainty and “gatekeeping” that often hinder professional growth. For example, a front desk administrator who lacks access to training or development resources can join the HECTQ community to get the support they need.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
At every step of this journey, I can honestly say that God has been by my side. Building a brand and business from the ground up is never easy, but I’ve been blessed with unwavering support from incredible people who have played a vital role in the success of HEC. One of the biggest supporters has been my best friend, Jada Thrash, President and Founder of Thrash Consulting Group. She worked countless hours, often without pay, to help bring this vision to life. Coming from a family with no background in entrepreneurship or education, I was literally building the ship, fixing the leaks, and sailing it all at once.
One of the most common challenges we face is the lack of resources at colleges. Out of all the institutions we’ve reached out to, 90% have expressed a need for at least one of our services but simply don’t have the resources to engage. This is especially frustrating because, ultimately, the students are the ones who suffer. And it’s not just the students—staff are also overworked, struggling to keep up with the constant changes in federal, state, and institutional policies, customer experience demands, and, of course, endless meetings! Staff are often fighting for their lives to meet the needs of students, leadership and stakeholders.
Another hurdle we’ve encountered is that, as a newer and smaller consulting firm, some potential clients might opt for larger, more established companies. However, the downside to that is that these bigger firms often don’t understand our students or our unique culture the way the team at HEC does. We offer a level of care and relatability that goes beyond just an established date and company size. We operate from a space of passion and purpose, not profits. We’re invested in our clients and their success because we care for our community and culture.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The creation of Higher Ed Consulting stemmed from the recognition of a crucial requirement for experienced and professional financial aid administrators at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) and families face numerous obstacles when it comes to successfully enrolling in college and comprehending the associated costs. HEC collaborates with colleges and universities to eliminate these barriers and cultivate a robust, sustainable financial aid and enrollment management offices.
Our mission is to empower HBCU’s and PBI’s by revolutionizing financial aid and enrollment processes. We recognize the importance of these educational institutions in promoting diversity, equity, and excellence in education. Through our thoughtful assessments, we aim to streamline and optimize financial aid and enrollment procedures, ensuring accessibility, efficiency, and transparency for students and staff.
HEC is dedicated to collaborating closely with HBCUs and PBIs, understanding their specific needs, and customizing our solutions to address their unique challenges. We aim to simplify financial aid application processes, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance the overall student experience. Through our partnership, we aspire to increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates, ultimately fostering greater success for students and the institutions as a whole.
HEC provides a comprehensive suite of services, catering to the diverse needs of educational institutions. We tailor our services to meet the unique needs and aspirations of each client, ensuring that our recommendations and solutions align with their vision and mission. Services we offer include, interim leadership and support staffing, operational and policies and procedures review, software implementation, and staff development and training.
HECTQ is an online platform designed to help higher education administrators connect, collaborate, and advance professionally. It breaks down the traditional silos between colleges and universities by offering a space to communicate not just within your institution, but across institutions nationwide. HECTQ supports professionals in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, from admissions to athletics to academics, by providing easy access to peers and experts who share your unique challenges.
A key benefit of HECTQ is that it’s completely free to sign up and join the conversation—no matter your role or title, everyone can gain access.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up in a single-parent household on the east side of Atlanta, I faced challenges most of my peers couldn’t even imagine. With a mother who worked tirelessly to make ends meet and a father who offered little support, I quickly learned the meaning of resilience. There were several times we were homeless or went without, but I saw the fight in my mother to keep it together and a roof over our heads. There wasn’t much time to dream so I don’t really recall many memories of “what I want to be when I grow up”. I watched her mother juggle multiple jobs, but she never landed on a career, so I had no knowledge of what that could look like for me. However, I am deeply grateful for the sacrifices she made for us.
Every summer, I would travel to Albany, GA, to stay with my grandmother and aunt. The quiet, rural town was a stark contrast to the bustling streets of Atlanta, but there I learned lessons of a different kind. My grandmother, a wise and loving matriarch, taught me the importance of family, faith, and hard work. My aunt was one of my biggest supporters and my best friend. She made sure I understood the game of life so that I would never be played. It was during these summers that I now look back on and cherish. It was my grandmother teaching me how to play cards, bringing me home chocolate covered pecans and always cooking my favorite meals. My uncles stopping by to have a beer with my grandmother, show me how to ride my bike or just cut up in the kitchen. My aunt who is 11 years older than me who literally took me everywhere she went. It was those summers away that taught me love.
Despite the lack of a strong presence from my father, I refused to let my family’s struggles define me. I understood early on that if I wanted something, I would have to work for it. In high school, while other kids were figuring out their weekend plans, I was focused on balancing my studies and a part-time job to help out at home. I knew the road would be tough, but I was determined to navigate it. My grandmother’s relentless encouragement and love gave me the confidence to aim high, believing that both hard work and education were the keys to breaking the cycle of hardship.
My goals were clear: I wanted to earn a college degree while continuing to work and support myself. My ambition was not just for personal success, but to honor the sacrifices my mother, aunt and grandmother had made for me. I pursued my education step by step and never giving up. It took me 8 years to finish my bachelor’s degree, but I was determined to live a better life. I was determined to show my son a different life than what I had. Each step I took was a testament to the resilience that was instilled in me — a deep belief in the power of hard work, the importance of education, and the understanding that no matter the obstacles, determination could create a path to success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hecenterprise.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/higheredconsulting
