Meet Dr. Lance Tatum

Dr. Lance Tatum began his tenure as Northwest’s 11th president on June 1, 2023.

He previously had served as senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and chief academic officer at Troy University in Troy, Alabama, since January 2019 while holding the rank of professor in its Sorrell College of Business—School of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management.

Tatum joined Troy University as a faculty member in 1998 and went on to serve as vice chancellor for its campus in Montgomery, Alabama; vice chancellor for its Global Campus; dean of the College of Education; and chairperson of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion as well as a Faculty Athletics Representative. Throughout his career, he held faculty positions in sport and fitness management at Troy University, and he began his academic career as an assistant professor of physical education at Gordon College in Barnesville, Georgia.

He earned a Ph.D. in sport management at Florida State University. He has a Master of Science in Education degree in foundations of education and a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education, both from Troy University.

Tatum and his wife, Jill, have two children, Thad and Zoe, who attend Auburn University in Alabama.

Meet the Tatum family

Jill Tatum began serving as Northwest’s first lady in June after an accomplished career as an educator in Alabama. She spent 14 years as a classroom teacher in Montgomery Public Schools and then was employed for 16 years as a literacy specialist with the Alabama State Department of Education. She also worked with the Alabama Partnership for Children and KidsFirst Education. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education at Troy University and has been married to Lance for eight years.

Thad is a 2019 graduate of Saint James School in Montgomery, Alabama, and attends Auburn University, where he is a senior majoring in economics. He plans to attend graduate school after completing his bachelor’s degree at Auburn this spring. 

Zoe is a 2021 graduate of Saint James School and also attends Auburn University, where she is a junior majoring in hospitality and event management. She plans to attend seminary school after graduating from Auburn.