The short version
Chester Hood is a multi-disciplinary advisor who works where most professionals only dabble. He is a higher-education leader at one of the country's premier universities, an ordained minister of more than two decades, a Dave Ramsey Certified Financial Peace Facilitator, and a working AI strategist helping churches, nonprofits, and academic institutions make wise decisions about technology adoption.
The throughline across all of it is the same conviction: people and institutions flourish when purpose and strategy meet. Chester's work — whether on a stage, in a board room, in a counseling session, or in a classroom — is built around helping decision-makers see the whole picture and take the next concrete step.
The long version
Chester grew up in Chicago and became the first in his family to graduate college, earning both his B.S. and M.S.Ed. in Workforce Education & Development from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he was a PROMPT Fellowship recipient and twice named to the Dean's List of Honor Students.
He spent more than a decade at SIU — beginning at WSIU Public Broadcasting and rising through admissions roles to Associate Director for Diversity, Alumni & College Relations. From there he served as Director of Admissions at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, leading the full undergraduate admissions operation. He now serves as Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Alongside his higher-education career, Chester has served as an Associate Minister, Trustee, and Financial Officer at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Carbondale, Illinois — preaching, teaching, counseling, and stewarding the organization's finances and operations. He has been the Illinois State Director of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. since 2015, overseeing eighteen chapters statewide.
Out of those overlapping vocations, Chester built the Pathway Advisors consulting practice and the broader brand ecosystem you see represented across this site.
Credentials & Certifications
M.S.Ed., Workforce Education & Development
B.S., Workforce Education & Development
Ordained Minister
Certified Financial Peace Facilitator
AI Strategist & Consultant
Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
Professional Path
Senior Associate Director of Admissions
Vanderbilt University · Nashville, TN
Leads organizational culture and DEI work in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Oversees evaluation & selection, marketing & communications, operations, recruitment & outreach, and the visitor experience.
Director of Admissions
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University · Tallahassee, FL
Full accountability for undergraduate admissions operations, programs, and services — including strategic planning, policy development, fiscal management, and team leadership.
Associate Director, Diversity, Alumni & College Relations
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Built the partnership between Undergraduate Admissions and the SIU Alumni Association, developed faculty/staff CRM training, and grew community-based recruitment partnerships across the state.
Assistant Director, Recruitment & Diversity
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Led recruitment campaigns across the Chicagoland market focused on diversity, first-generation, and low-income students. Chaired hiring committees that added four exceptionally qualified team members.
Senior Admissions Coordinator & Coordinator of Recruitment / Retention
SIU Carbondale — Admissions & College of Education and Human Services
Managed territories of up to 3,000 prospective students. Led college-wide recruitment, retention, and marketing initiatives including the EHS Living Learning Community and the SIU–Golden Apple Foundation partnership.
Office Manager
WSIU Public Broadcasting (NPR / PBS) · SIU Carbondale
Coordinated administrative operations for an NPR/PBS affiliate. Served on the Diversity Task Force, LGBT Safe Zone, and B.E.R.T. teams.
Associate Minister · Trustee · Financial Officer II
Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church · Carbondale, IL
Twenty-plus years of ministry leadership: pastoral care, preaching, Bible study leadership (300–400 attendees), oversight of a $375K budget, and successful refinancing of a $1.4M capital obligation.
Illinois State Director
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Oversees eighteen chapters statewide. Previously served as the Midwest Region Recruitment & Intake Coordinator covering eight states.
Beyond the Resume
Chester is also a husband, a Chicago native who roots for the Bears anyway, a deliberate collector of well-tailored blazers, and a believer that the best leaders are still students. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee.