The Senior Leadership Team at Emmanuel University is composed of experienced and dedicated professionals committed to excellence in education and community service.
Mr. Greg Hearn, President
Mr. Brian James, Executive Vice President
Dr. Cyndee Phillips, Vice President of Academics
Mr. Matt McRee, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Mandrake Miller, VP for Student Life
Mr. Nate Moorman, VP for Athletics
Mr. Greg Hearn
President
On June 20, 2023 Greg Hearn was named the tenth President of Emmanuel University. Previously he served as both Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Emmanuel since 2015. Prior to that, he served as Interim CFO, September to May 2015, and as Emmanuel’s Vice President for Finance from 2005 to 2009.
He serves simultaneously as Chief Executive Officer for Community Services Group, Inc., a position he has held since November 2012; he was also CEO of Ty Cobb Regional Medical Center from January 2013 to June 2015 and of LifeSprings Resources from May
1991 to April 2013.
Mr. Hearn, a 1980 graduate of Emmanuel University with an A.A. in General Education and a 1983 First Honor Graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.B.A. in Accounting, earned and has maintained the Certified Public Accountant designation since 1986 and worked as a tax accountant for an international public accounting firm from 1987 to 1991. He is certified in both Georgia and Oklahoma.
Mr. Hearn has significant experience developing and implementing workout plans for distressed entities, especially in the not-for-profit sector. This experience includes negotiating settlements among multiple creditors including forbearance agreements and settlements with bondholders for bonds in default. Mr. Hearn’s dedication to serve his community is demonstrated by ongoing volunteer work as an Emergency Medical Technician, Chief of the Franklin Springs Fire Department, Administrative Council Member of LifeSprings Community Church, Board Member of One Accord Resources (a coalition of church curriculum publishers), and Governor’s Appointee to the Georgia Rural Hospital Stabilization Committee. He also served in the past on numerous boards and received various community service awards.
Mr. Brian James
Executive Vice President
Brian James is a native of Franklin Springs Georgia.
He has spent over 28 years working in Christian higher education at Emmanuel University primarily in Campus Development and Advancement. From 2001 – 2009 he changed careers by accepting a job in banking as a commercial lender. He returned to Emmanuel University in 2009 to help with the expansion of the campus where he continues to work today.
He was elected Mayor of Franklin Springs in 2001 and served for two consecutive terms and lead the rebuilding project of the City Hall and Public Safety Building after complete destruction from a tornado spun from hurricane Ivan. In 2006 he received an invitation from Governor Sonny Purdue to serve on the Governor’s Rural Development Council Authority which worked to revitalize poverty areas in Georgia and develop new avenues for state economic growth.
Today he continues his employment at Emmanuel University as Vice President for Advancement. He is a licensed minister in the Lifepoint Conference of the IPH Church and speaks occasionally at churches and various events. He enjoys spending time with his wife April and their children.
Dr. Cyndee Phillips
Vice President of Academics
Dr. Cyndee Phillips is the Vice President of Academics and a (sometimes) adjunct professor. She holds a BA degree from Emmanuel, a MEd degree from Brenau University, an EdS in Leadership and Supervision from Clemson University, and an EdD in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University.
She spent 32 years in K-12 public education, having taught middle grades (5th – all content areas through 8th – science, ELA, and reading) for 14 years and as curriculum director and Assistant Superintendent for the past 18 years. Cyndee retired from the Franklin County School System in the spring of 2018. She is married to Dr. David Phillips, a retired middle school Engineering and Technology teacher and has two adult children. Courtney, and her husband Joshua, both work in K-12 education and have a daughter, Annabeth. Grayson is a recent graduate with a master’s degree in Chemistry at Kennesaw State University and his wife, Victoria, is an artist, and an art professor at Lee University. Cyndee (83), her husband (82), daughter (2010, son-in-law (2010), and son (2017, non-degree) all attended Emmanuel University.
Cyndee serves on the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce board and serves as Vice President. She leads the Leadership Franklin for the Chamber and is a member of the Education Committee. She is also a board member for The Ark Family Preservation Center. Cyndee and her husband attend Goldmine Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Mr. Matt McRee
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Mandrake Miller
VP for Student Life
Mandrake Miller is a seasoned professional, who has built a career in higher education administration. Currently, he serves as the Vice President for Student Life at Emmanuel University. Prior to Emmanuel he served as Vice President for Student Success & Engagement at Edward Waters College and Dean of Students at Tuskegee University. Miller’s student affairs-focused career spans multiple leadership appointments at Livingstone College, Bethune Cookman University, Chowan University and Virginia Union University
Miller is a United States Army Veteran, and did tours in Iraq and Kuwait. As an ordained minister, Miller shares a passion for working with people and strives for greatness in all his endeavors. As an educator and leadership guru; learning, integrity, and respect are important components of his practice. Merging philosophical frameworks together governs how he engages.
Miller’s professional philosophy is to ensure a quality and rewarding experience for all communities under his leadership. A visionary with a unique understanding and appreciation for today’s millennial students, he is committed to institutional advancement, student engagement, and the holistic development of students. Miller is committed to developing programs that promote diversity, pluralism and cultural competency. His vision is to create a culture and environment in which all stakeholders make a commitment to strive for personal integrity; to treat others with dignity and respect; and to become involved in creating a community that is inclusive and welcoming for everyone. He is dedicated to enhancing the growth of all stakeholders to reach their full potential by providing rich learning opportunities through comprehensive programs, services, and professional development. Ultimately, Miller’s goal is to make a positive impact in the world.
A native of South Carolina, Miller holds a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration, with a minor in Christian Education from Morris College, and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. He currently is completing a Doctorate of Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University. Miller is married to Shaquana Miller and they have a six year-old daughter Madison.
Mr. Nate Moorman
VP for Athletics
Nate joined the Emmanuel University family during the summer of 2014 as Emmanuel University’s sixth Director of Athletics, before being promoted in 2021 to the first Vice-President of Athletics at Emmanuel. The Athletic Department has experienced an abundant growth since Nate’s arrival, including: an increase in enrollment from approximately 350 student-athletes to over 600 student-athletes, a rise in revenue production for the institution from roughly $4.5 million to nearly $10 million, and an expansion in athletic staffing from 21 full time staff members to 49 full time staff members.
New programs have also been added to Emmanuel since Nate’s arrival, including the addition of Men’s and Women’s Wrestling, Men’s and Women’s Triathlon, Bass Fishing, and Acrobatics and Tumbling. Emmanuel Athletics have also seen a continual and successful effort to increase student-athlete graduation rates from 29.5% to 54%. The student-athlete GPA has remained at its peak for the last 5 years.
Nate and his leadership staff’s focus on the development of great coaches and the recruitment of high-quality athletes has played a major factor in the competitive success of the Athletic Department. Nate also led the Athletic Department through the process of transitioning from NAIA membership to NCAA Division II membership. Since becoming full NCAA DII members, Emmanuel has won 10 conference championships, finished second in the conference Carolinas Hawn Cup, and produced multiple individual NCAA National Champions and All-Americans.
Prior to beginning his tenure as Emmanuel University’s sixth Director of Athletics, Nate served as an Assistant Athletic Director and Head Men’s Wrestling Coach at King University in Bristol, TN. In addition to his athletic duties at King University, Nate served as an Academic Advisor and taught several courses, including spearheading an academic success course focused on preparing new students for university. Prior to King, Nate served as an assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater, Carson Newman College, where he competed as a collegiate wrestler, earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education, and earned a master’s degree in Education.
Nate resides in Nicholson, GA, with his wife, Beth, and his three sons: Lincoln, Bennett, and Nolan.
