Gerald Hubbard Smalls
Dr. Gerald Hubbard Smalls is vice president of finance and operations/chief financial officer (CFO) at South Carolina State University.
Smalls is the senior executive officer responsible for the university’s financial management and operations. The CFO works closely with the president and the senior leadership team on all matters pertaining to the management and operation of the University including, but not limited to:
- Facilities
- Capital projects
- Endowments
- Financial accounting
- Accounts receivable and accounts payable
- Budget preparation, management and control
- Student aid disbursement
- Financial information systems
- Credit management
- Collections
- Fiscal planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Investment management
Smalls provides leadership in the management and operation of the institution and serves as the fiduciary face to both the board of trustees, state legislature, and the entire university community. He serves as an essential strategic partner to the president, working collaboratively with the board of trustees, the senior leadership team, faculty, staff, alumni and student leaders to assure a successful and stable financial future for the institution.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering from SC State in 1988
- Master of Business Administration in finance from Atlanta University.
- Juris Doctorate in law from Howard University Law School.
- Master of Laws in taxation from Georgetown University.
- Doctorate in business administration from Temple University.
- Post-doctoral studies in higher education management at Harvard University.
Background
Prior to joining SC State, Smalls was the chair of the accounting, economics and finance department and associate professor of law and accounting for the Johnson College of Business and Economics at the University of South Carolina Upstate.
He received his bachelor’s degree in engineering from SC State in 1988 and Master of Business Administration in finance from Atlanta University.
After working for General Electric, General Motors and the Celanese Corporation he was placed on active duty as an officer with a top-secret special operations unit during the Gulf War. While serving his country during various military conflicts, he was appointed to the position of Assistant to the Deputy Chief Finance Officer for the United States Army Military Intelligence Command.
Smalls went on to receive his Juris Doctorate in law from Howard University Law School and subsequently worked with Lockheed Martin, IBM and Morgan Stanley and as an associate with the law firm of Nelson Mullins.
He was later appointed the chief of staff and general counsel for the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Service, where he oversaw day-to-day operations and all compliance, diversity and inclusion programs and legal matters for the agency’s statewide operation.
He received his Master of Laws in taxation from Georgetown University and doctorate in business administration from Temple University. He completed additional post-doctoral studies in higher education management at Harvard University.
He has served as the executive consultant and senior adviser to the senior vice president of strategic alliances and outreach at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He has published various articles in peer-reviewed journals and other peer-reviewed editorial publications such as the Journal of Economic Integration-Center for International Economics, International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics and the South Carolina Bar Lawyer.
Smalls has served on several governing boards, including membership on the SC State Board of Trustees from 2018-2020, the Sisters of Charity Foundation board (currently treasure and former chairman) and the University of South Carolina Upstate Foundation Board.
Smalls is married to attorney Shella Smalls, and they are the proud parents of Madison London Smalls.