Fisk University has appointed Metro Nashville Councilwoman and Fisk alumna Jennifer Gamble as its new director of alumni affairs, bringing a long time community leader and communications professional back to the historic institution.

Gamble, a 1991 Fisk graduate, brings more than 30 years of experience in marketing, public relations, nonprofit leadership and community engagement.  In her new role, she will focus on strengthening relationships with Fisk alumni, expanding engagement opportunities and preserving the university’s traditions while developing new approaches to alumni involvement.

A Chicago native, Gamble earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Fisk and has maintained close ties to the university throughout her career. She is an active member of the General Alumni Association of Fisk University and previously worked in the university’s Office of Student Affairs and Office of Advancement.

In 2003, Gamble returned to campus to host All Things Fisk, a radio program on WFSK 88.1 FM. She also joined Fisk’s business administration department as an adjunct professor in 2024.

Crystal Evans, Fisk’s vice president of development and alumni affairs, said Gamble’s experience and connection to the university made her an ideal choice.

“This role sits at the intersection of nostalgia and innovation,” Evans said. “It requires an exceptional leader who can effectively collaborate with our alumni—someone adept at communicating, even better at listening and committed to honoring Fisk’s legacy while guiding its evolution.”

Evans added that Gamble exemplifies those qualities and that the university is proud to welcome one of its own into the leadership position.

Before entering public office, Gamble built an extensive career in communications and nonprofit management. She earned a master’s degree in mass communication from Middle Tennessee State University and held several public relations positions before joining Prevent Blindness Tennessee.

At the nonprofit organization, Gamble served as vice president of marketing and development before becoming chief executive officer, a position she held for four years. In 2012, she established Nelson PR & Communications, her own public relations and communications firm.

Gamble was elected to the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County Council in 2019, representing District 3, which includes portions of Brick Church, Goodlettsville, Madison and Whites Creek.

During her council tenure, she has chaired the Planning and Zoning Committee and served on the Budget and Finance Committee, Planning Commission and COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee.

She has also been involved with several civic and community organizations, including the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, National Urban League and Nashville Branch of the NAACP.

Fisk University President Dr. Agenia W. Clark said Gamble’s experience representing communities through periods of growth and change will be valuable as the university works to strengthen alumni relationships.

“Jennifer Gamble knows what it means to represent and advocate for a community, particularly one tasked with balancing growth and change with preservation—characteristics of her constituency as well as our storied institution,” Clark said.

Clark noted that the university conducted a nationwide search for the position, seeking a strategic leader capable of developing innovative alumni engagement initiatives while remaining committed to Fisk’s history and institutional identity.

A search committee composed of alumni and university leaders participated in the selection process.

For Gamble, the appointment represents a return to an institution that has remained central to her personal and professional life.

“As a Fiskite, I feel extraordinarily privileged to have been selected to lead Fisk’s Alumni Affairs,” Gamble said. “I first set foot on campus in 1987 and have felt a connection ever since.”

Gamble described Fisk as more than the university where she earned her degree, calling it a foundational part of her identity.

“When this opportunity was presented, I realized it was time to come home,” she said. “My interest in this role is rooted in gratitude and service.”

Gamble said she approaches the position with appreciation for the opportunity and a commitment to serving fellow alumni.

Her appointment comes as Fisk continues efforts to strengthen connections among generations of graduates and build on its legacy as one of the nation’s historically Black universities.