New Operations Leader Tapped to Streamline Business Functions and Drive Institutional Effectiveness at Morgan State

Vinnie John Selected as Associate Vice President/Chief Operations Officer to Help Advance Strategic Growth and Optimize University Systems

BALTIMORE — As Morgan State University continues advancing its Transformation Morgan 2030: Leading the Future strategic plan, the University has made a key leadership hire to strengthen operational efficiency and support institutional growth. Vinnie John, a seasoned higher education executive with more than 20 years of progressive experience in finance, administration and organizational transformation, has been appointed to serve as the University’s new associate vice president of Business Operations/chief operations officer (AVP/COO), effective April 16.

John will report directly to David LaChina, executive vice president for Finance and Administration, and will assume broad oversight of Morgan’s business operations, including budgeting, procurement, auxiliary services, real estate management and institutional effectiveness. He joins the University at a pivotal moment, bringing both deep strategic insight and a record of results to help streamline processes and elevate operational excellence across campus.

“After conducting a comprehensive national search, it became clear that Vinnie’s unique blend of business acumen, higher education leadership and systems-thinking approach made him the right person for this role,” said LaChina. “His demonstrated success in leading institutional change, optimizing resources and building cohesive teams aligns perfectly with our mission at Morgan and the goals outlined in our strategic plan.”

In his most recent higher education experience, John served as vice chancellor for Administration and chief business officer at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide, with operations in 10 countries, and helped lead transformative initiatives in budgeting, staffing, financial planning, and compliance. As a senior leadership team member, he helped contribute to multiyear financial margin growth and improved operational agility and cross-functional collaboration. He also taught as an adjunct faculty member and worked to establish workforce development pipelines to support underserved communities. John comes to Morgan from Altius Consulting Group, where he held the leadership role of founder and principal consultant.

A two-time Embry-Riddle graduate, John holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics. He also earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s prestigious Kellogg School of Management.

“Morgan State’s momentum is undeniable, and I was drawn to the University’s bold vision for the future and its longstanding commitment to access, excellence and innovation,” said John. “I see this opportunity not just as an operational role but as a chance to contribute to a historic institution that is redefining what’s possible in public higher education.”

In his new role, John will help lead the implementation of two major initiatives within the Division of Finance and Administration: the Institutional Effectiveness and Advisory Group (IEA) and the Real Estate Management Group (REM). These efforts are designed to reengineer business processes through technology, expand student housing options and support Morgan’s evolving campus infrastructure needs.

As Morgan continues toward its strategic aim of becoming a top-tier public research university, John’s leadership will be instrumental in optimizing the systems and services that power that ascent.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master’s degree, doctorate and certificate programs. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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