Poole Strives to Move FAMU Forward

Angela Poole
Courtesy of FAMU

Out of everything she’s done, Florida A&M University’s Acting Vice president for Finance and Administration Angela Poole is most proud to be working for her alma mater where she has one main goal: moving FAMU forward.

Hand-picked by FAMU President Elmira Mangum, Poole replaced former CFO Dale Cassidy March 14.

She’s now oversees human resources, information technology, facilities, budget, controller’s office, administration services and business auxiliary services.

“I’m figuring out what needs to be done and where I start,” Poole said.

Poole said she wants to use her new position to “stretch the limited dollars” FAMU receives from the state and make the best use of it.

“My goal is to do things that are for students’ success and things that can make the campus run more efficiently and effectively, so that we can perform better on our performance metrics,” Poole said.

Poole said, so far, the position has been a “whirlwind.” Since being hired, she has met with Florida’s Board of Governors, worked on performance metrics, strategic planning and the financial audit.

“People say FAMU has all of these issues but we don’t,” she said.

Besides her degree in business administration from FAMU and a master’s degree from Florida State University, Poole believes she has gained the experience needed.

She served as an audit staff senior for Arthur Anderson in Miami before coming to Tallahassee to start her own business.  It was there that she learned how to interact with executives.

“I learned a lot, like how to deal with executives at a young age,” she said. “Right out of school, I’m 20 years old telling CFO’s and CEO’s adjustments they need to make on their financials. These are major conglomerates.” 

Poole has worked for the state in internal audit and she’s been the city manager/finance director for about eight years.

“This (acting CFO role) is almost like running a city. This was a natural progression,” Poole said, regarding her new position.

Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness Jacqueline Dowdy partnered with Poole on many projects at FAMU.

“Getting to know her (Poole) on a professional level, Angela is very diligent in what she does,” Dowdy said. “She’s a very conscientious person and very smart.”

Poole credits her success to her professor, Sybil Mobley, who has left a significant impression on Poole. She said she carries her teachings throughout all of her jobs, after being one of the last students Mobley taught.

“It’s because of her (Mobley) that I can walk into these corporate settings,” Poole said. “She would tell us ‘they put their pants on one leg at a time just like you, they’re no better than you are.’”

Poole’s son, Michael Poole, followed in his mother’s footsteps, currently attending FAMU’s School of Business and Industry. Michael Poole says his mom is his super hero.

“She’s the coolest mother you will ever find,” Michael Poole said. “She’s the type that would jam out your college boy playlist then ask to get the aux cord.”