Affectionately known by the TULI Team as “Mr. Tulane,” meet Robert “Rob” Hailey, a dedicated and passionate leader who has been making a difference at Tulane University for over thirty years. With his warm personality and unwavering commitment, Rob has touched the lives of countless individuals, both as the Executive Director of the Tulane University Leadership Institute (TULI) and in his previous roles.
Since 2021, Rob has been serving as the Executive Director of TULI, where he plays a pivotal role in identifying and nurturing future university leaders. His primary focus is on enhancing the skills, insights, and vision of current leaders, ensuring functional excellence and performance. Working closely with the Vice President of Human Resources & Institutional Equity, Rob provides executive leadership, strategic planning and development, and supports the implementation of various programs offered by the institute.
Prior to his current role, Rob served as the Senior Associate Vice President of University Services from 1999 to 2021. During this time, he was responsible for a wide range of areas at Tulane, including Campus Recreation, the management of the LBC, university card operations, Shuttles & Transportation, Parking Services, Print, Copy, and Mail Services, the campus computer store, Dining Services, PJ's Cafes, Vending Services, university bookstores, leases in the LBC (including banking, shipping, retail, hair salon, and barber shop), childcare centers, cell tower leases, and campus contract management for Coca-Cola, Xerox, and FedEx. Over the course of 20+ years, Rob successfully led a team of over 100 Tulane employees and over 300 contract employees, handling a budget responsibility of approximately $22,000,000 in sales/revenue and $5,682,000 in salaries and expenses.
From 1992 to 1998, Rob served as the Assistant Dean and Director of the Stewart Center for Executive Education in the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane. In this role, he not only developed and managed executive programs in Louisiana but also expanded Tulane’s impact globally, reaching participants in Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Taiwan, and China.
Rob's commitment to education extends beyond administrative roles. As an adjunct professor of marketing at Tulane's AB Freeman School of Business, he shared his knowledge and expertise with students. He taught a senior-level marketing course titled "Relationship Marketing" and a freshman seminar course on management and leadership, inspiring and shaping the minds of future leaders.
With an impressive educational background, Rob brings a wealth of knowledge to his work. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University, a Master of Science in Sports Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Baylor University. In 2007, he further honed his skills by completing the Management and Leadership in Education program at the prestigious Harvard School of Education.
Beyond his professional achievements, Rob finds joy and fulfillment in his personal life. He resides in the Lakeview area of New Orleans with his wife, Joan. Together, they have built a loving home and raised two wonderful children, Ellen and Benjamin. Both Ellen and Benjamin have followed in their parents’ footsteps are proud graduates of Tulane University, a testament to their family’s love for the Tulane community and the lasting impact of Rob's dedication to education and leadership.
Rob is not just an accomplished professional; he is a warmhearted individual who values personal connections and making a difference in the lives of others. Through his work at Tulane University and his contributions to the community, Rob has created a lasting legacy of leadership, mentorship, collaboration, and academic excellence.
