Here's a look at promotions, hirings and other noteworthy business events in the Memphis area:
Rhodes College has been selected for the FirstGen Forward Network Class of 2026, a recognition that highlights the college’s dedication to enhancing the college experience and to promoting success for first-generation college students.
The FirstGen Forward Network encompasses more than 500 institutions, making it a premier platform for elevating student achievement through a focused lens on first-generation college students.
Rhodes defines a first-generation college student as a student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) did not earn a bachelor’s degree. Through its initiative Rhodes F1RST, the college is expanding opportunities that foster belonging,
leadership development, career readiness, and community for first-generation students. The initiative is led by Connie Beck, dean of student success. Beck will work with Dr. Rashna Richards, associate provost, to strengthen collaboration between student life and academic affairs and advance first-generation student success across campus.
The BLDG Memphis Board of Directors announced Andrea C. Hill as its new executive director. She assumed the role last month and is charged with increasing overall capacity and efficiencies for the member organization, advancing community development sector policy and translating mission-driven strategies into visible, tangible outcomes. Hill has more than 20 years of experience as a nonprofit leader and most recently served as Chief External Affairs Officer at Tennessee Nonprofit Network, where she directed statewide operational strategies and spearheaded high-impact policy initiatives including Nonprofit Day on the Hill and the Advocacy Summit, connecting local Memphis leaders directly with state legislators in Nashville.
Erika Konig, a staff writer for The Institute for Public Service Reporting Memphis has won another award in the 2026 Green Eyeshade Awards. A week earlier, the Green Eyeshade judges announced her as the winner of its student audio journalism award. Now, Konig is also the overall winner of the Green Eyeshade student division competition — best student news outlet, best student editorial leadership, best student special project coverage, best student print issue, best student video journalism and winners in other categories — and picked Erika as the best of them all.
Since joining Allen & Hoshall in May 2018, Jeff Young recently was promoted to civil engineer with the firm. at Allen & Hoshall. He has contributed to civil design efforts for a variety of building projects, supporting clients including FedEx and DeSoto County Schools. Young earned his Professional Engineering license in Tennessee. In his new role as a licensed engineer, he will serve as a Project Engineer developing design and construction documents.
Southern College of Optometry hired individuals to fill three new positions: Jillian Coleman will serve as Director of Accounting, Sonya Watkins as Director of Information and Dr. Tallis Heron as an Assistant Professor.
- Coleman previously was previously in financial advisor roles at Springfield Bookkeeping LLC and Abacus CPAs in Missouri, and as a supervisor at the Blankenship CPA Group in Goodlettsville, Tenn.. Coleman earned a Master of Accountancy from Belmont University. She previously served as board president of the Developmental Center of the Ozarks.
- Watkins has extensive experience in innovative technology solutions specific to higher education and will play a key role in supporting and enhancing SCO’s information services. She previously served as chief information officer for the University of Central Oklahoma before relocating to Memphis. During her 23-year career at UCO, Watkins was director of technology resources and assistant vice president of Information Technology before leading the university as CIO for nearly 10 years. Watkins is a graduate of Western Governors University.
- Herron earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She recently completed her residency in Ocular Disease through Southern College of Optometry at the Memphis Veterans Administration.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis People in Business for Sept. 24, 2026
