Morris College

Morris College Appoints Two Vice Presidents to Lead Advancement and Enrollment Date Release: September 10, 2026 page1 of 4 Sumter, S.C. -Morris College is delighted to announce the appointment of two new executive administrators who provide a wealth of expertise in the areas of institutional advancement and enrollment to enhance the growth, development, and longevity of the institution.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have two outstanding administrators, Dr. Darryl Isom and Mr. Jerome S. Nesbitt, who have joined our campus community to continue providing visionary leadership and setting new courses of operational excellence in both institutional advancement and enrollment and records, ” Dr. Said Sewell, President of Morris College. “Their contributions to our campus infrastructure help solidify continuity and viability of both our financial and institutional progress.”

Dr. Darryl Isom to Lead Enrollment Management and Records

Dr. Darryl Isom’s appointment as Vice President of Enrollment Management will allow him to bring his extensive experience in enrollment strategy, admissions, recruitment, financial aid, retention and student records to the college.

He is an accomplished higher education enrollment leader with more than 20 years of progressive experience in admissions, recruitment, financial aid, records, enrollment services, and strategic enrollment management. Prior to joining Morris College, Isom served in leadership roles at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Wiley College, Edward Waters University, Morehouse College, Emory University and Morehouse School of Medicine, where he developed and implemented comprehensive recruitment and enrollment strategies, strengthened admissions operations, guided financial aid processes and compliance, improved enrollment systems and technology, and led initiatives designed to increase student enrollment and retention.

Dr. Isom holds a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership from Liberty University, a Master of Public Administration degree from Keller Graduate School of Management, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Morehouse College. In this role, Dr. Isom will provide leadership and strategic direction for Morris College’s enrollment management division, overseeing the interconnected functions of admissions and recruitment, financial aid, and records/registrar operations; emphasizing the importance of bringing these units together as a coordinated operation, ensuring that each area works collaboratively to create a seamless and student-centered enrollment management experience. His focus will be on strengthening the infrastructure and processes that support enrollment growth and retention, while establishing greater accountability, coordination, and data informed decision making throughout the enrollment management division.

Dr. Isom notes, “I will work closely with faculty, staff, senior leadership, and campus partners to enhance recruitment and retention strategies, strengthen communication with prospective and admitted students, and ensure that student records and enrollment processes are accurate, timely, and responsive. ”

“I am honored to join Morris College and to lead an enrollment management operation that is so important to the future of the institution. Enrollment management must be more than a collection of individual offices. Admissions and Recruitment, Financial Aid, and Records must work together as one coordinated team, with the student at the center of everything we do, ” said Dr. Isom, “My goal is to build the structure, systems, accountability, and culture necessary to ensure that we are identifying prospective students, engaging them effectively, removing barriers to enrollment, and providing the support they need once they are enrolled. ”

Mr. Jerome S. Nesbitt to Lead Institutional Advancement

In his capacity as Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Mr. Jerome S. Nesbitt will lead the college’s efforts in fundraising, alumni engagement, donor relations, corporate and foundation partnerships, grants, community engagement, and other initiatives designed to strengthen the institution and advance its mission. With more than 30 years of experience spanning financial services, philanthropy, business development, marketing, and organizational leadership, he brings to Morris College a career defined by building relationships, developing strategic partnerships, and connecting people and organizations around shared purpose.

“I am a relationship builder at heart, ” said Nesbitt. “Some of the most meaningful accomplishments in my career have come from bringing people and organizations together around a shared purpose. I want us to strengthen alumni engagement, expand corporate foundation relationships, identify new philanthropic opportunities, strengthen donor stewardship, and develop partnerships that support student success, scholarships, workforce readiness, campus priorities, and the long-term vision of Morris College. ”

When asked about the qualities and attributes he brings to enhance Morris College’s Institutional advancement team, Mr. Nesbitt said, “Experience does not mean arriving with all the answers. I want to understand Morris College, its people, its history, its strengths, and its aspirations so that I can help tell its story authentically and create opportunities that move the college forward. ”

Prior to joining Morris College, Nesbitt spent eight years with the American Red Cross of South Carolina in progressively responsible development and leadership roles. During his tenure, he cultivated and stewarded relationships with major corporations, foundations, healthcare organizations, community partners, and individual donors, connecting their philanthropic interests with opportunities to make a meaningful difference in communities throughout South Carolina.

At the heart of his approach to advancement is a simple philosophy: relationships come before transactions. He believes meaningful partnerships begin with understanding people, their interests, values, priorities, and purpose—and identifying opportunities where those interests can align for mutual benefit and lasting impact.

A graduate of South Carolina State University, Nesbitt developed an early foundation in marketing that helped shape his understanding of people, communication, relationship development, and organizational growth. He was also a member of the university’s renowned Marching 101 Band, an experience that reinforced the importance of discipline, preparation, teamwork, and excellence.

Nesbitt’s commitment to leadership and service extends well beyond his professional career. A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., he serves as Vice President of Alpha Psi Lambda Chapter and has served as Vice-Chair of the Jewel Foundation. His leadership extends beyond the chapter through his service as South Carolina District Strategic Partnership Alliances Chair and Southern Region Strategic Partnerships & Alliances Director. His contributions to the fraternity have been recognized with Alpha Psi Lambda Chapter’s Rising Star Award and Brother of the Year Award.

Faith, service, and development of others have also been important throughout his life. A longtime member of Brookland Baptist Church, he has served as Director of the Financial Ministry, helping provide financial education grounded in practical and biblical principles, along with service through the church’s men’s and music ministries. His commitment to young people has included mentoring and serving as a youth basketball coach, where teaching teamwork, discipline, confidence, and life lessons has always been as important as the game itself.

A published author, he contributed the essay “What Do You Say When God Tells You No?” to Portraits of Fatherhood. Through his writing, he explores faith, fatherhood, and the difficult moments when life challenges what was hoped, prayed, or planned for. His authorship reflects his belief that even difficult experiences can provide lessons and that those lessons become more meaningful when shared with others.

At the center of his life is family. He is married to Royvyetta C. Nesbitt and is the proud father of two children: his daughter, Jaylen, who is quite simply his heart—an extraordinary source of love, joy, inspiration, and purpose in his life; and his son, Jerome, affectionately known as “Deuce, ” whose memory remains an enduring part of his life and the way he approaches each day.

A servant leader and lover of life, Nesbitt takes no day for granted. His personal motto captures the philosophy with which he approaches leadership, relationships, and service: “Learn something every day and teach something every day. ” At Morris College, he brings that philosophy to institutional advancement, building meaningful relationships, creating opportunities, strengthening partnerships, and connecting people and organizations to the mission and future of the college.

For further information about Morris College, visit www.morris.edu. ###

Media Contact:

LAURA NEWSOME @ 803-934-3201
100 West College Street , Sumter, S.C. 29150
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