Keshia Jackson Gilliam
Dr. Keshia Jackson Gilliam serves as Associate Vice President and Director of Human Resources at Converse University. In this role, she provides strategic leadership in employee relations, organizational development, benefits administration, compliance, talent management, and human resources policy.
Dr. Gilliam brings more than 30 years of human resources, leadership, and management experience across higher education, K–12 education, hospitality, nonprofit organizations, retail, and corporate sales. Throughout her tenure at Converse, she has served in a range of leadership capacities, including Human Resources Director, Title IX Coordinator, HIPAA Compliance Officer, Benefits Administrator, Retirement Plan Sponsor, Employee Relations Manager, Unity in Diversity Coordinator, Risk Management Representative, and member of the President’s Cabinet.
She previously served as Director and faculty member of Converse University’s online Master in Management (MiM) Professional Leadership Program (PLP), as well as a faculty member in the Doctorate in Professional Leadership Program. As an educator, Dr. Gilliam emphasized authentic leadership, employee relations, motivation, personal and professional development, team collaboration, and organizational partnerships. Her teaching centered on meaningful dialogue and applying leadership principles to real-world challenges.
A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Gilliam began her educational journey at Spartanburg Technical College before transferring to Converse University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations. She later earned a master’s degree in Human Resource Development and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership. A proud Converse II alumna, she remains committed to advancing the University’s mission by investing in its people and strengthening connections across campus and the greater Spartanburg community.
Dr. Gilliam is serving her second term as a committee member of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) South Carolina Chapter. She is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), CUPA-HR, the Spartanburg Human Resources Association (SHRA), and the Greenville Human Resource Association (GHRA).
Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Dr. Gilliam considers Spartanburg home and is a proud graduate of Spartanburg High School. She is married to Steven Gilliam, owner of SLG Trucking LLC, and is the proud mother of Lindsay and bonus sons Stephan and Steven—not to mention Miss KoKo, the family’s Yorkie–terrier mix. Family remains central to her life and values.
Dr. Gilliam is passionate about developing people, strengthening organizations, and creating workplace cultures grounded in fairness, accountability, belonging, authentic leadership, and grace. She believes every opportunity is an assignment from God and approaches each one with gratitude. Inspired by the transformation of a butterfly, she reminds others that every stage of growth prepares us to reach our full potential—we simply must learn to extend ourselves grace throughout the journey.