May 12, 2009 issue
Five finalists interview for EMU provost

By Ron Podell

 

 

They came. They saw. They talked. They dined. And they talked a whole lot more.

Five finalists for Eastern Michigan University's provost and vice president for academic affairs position have visited campus in recent weeks for a battery of interviews with multiple constituent groups.

Over a three-day interview period, each candidate toured campus, had dinner with the search committee, breakfast with the Strategic Operations Council (SOC), lunch with the academic deans and a dinner with EMU President Susan Martin. Each candidate also received a driving tour of the community; hosted open forums with the faculty and public; and had meetings with the Regents, Provost Don Loppnow, provost's office staff, associate/assistant deans and department heads and student representatives.

The five finalists, in the order they came to campus, are:

Jack Kay is provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, acting vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement, and professor of communication at the University of Michigan-Flint. He served as interim chancellor at the University of Michigan-Flint from January 2007 to August 2008. Select accomplishments at the University of Michigan-Flint include general education reform, establishment of Genesee Early College High School, substantial undergraduate and graduate enrollment growth, implementation of academic program review, campus internationalization, and successful completion of a capital campaign.

PROVOST POSSIBILITY: Jack Kay is provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, acting vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement and professor of communication at the University of Michigan-Flint. He is one of five finalists for EMU provost and vice president for academic affairs.

"I feel this is an institution of opportunity. It has a great faculty and is destined for some interesting things in the next few years," Kay said. "I worked closely with President Martin when she was at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. I'm interested in coming here because I'm excited about the things she's doing."

Kay said he understood EMU places a strong emphasis on teaching and that teaching is rewarded. At the same time, he said he sees a "total linkage" between research and teaching. He also said he sees strong parallels between the university and surrounding community, specifically in terms of community engagement and EMU playing a strong role in the economy of southeastern Michigan.

"The role of the provost is to get out and let the community know what's going on," Kay said. "I think the provost and deans need to put on a 'roadshow' to become much better known in the community."

He also said an Academic Affairs budget should provide incentives for programs that are producing so that they can expand and do more.

"Programs that are growing need resources. Programs that are declining don't need more faculty," he said. You've got to have some ability to redirect and move things around. It can't be one person. You need a group of people that can provide a decision."

Prior to joining the University of Michigan-Flint in September 2005, Kay was associate provost for student services and professor of communication at Wayne State University. His first faculty position was at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he also was director of forensics.

Kay received his doctorate in communication from Wayne State University, his master's degree in speech communication from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, and his bachelor's degree in speech communication and political science from Wayne State University in 1974.

Kay is author of numerous articles and books, including "Argumentation: Inquiry and Advocacy." Kay's research specialty is the power of language. He has conducted extensive research on extremist groups, focusing on the communication strategies of groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan nations and Neo-Nazi Skinheads. In addition to publications in scholarly journals, Kay's research is cited in newspapers, radio and television.

He has testified before the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and has been a consultant to law enforcement. He has received numerous awards for research, teaching and service, including a 1999 Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award by the Wayne State University Graduate School. Kay has served as dissertation adviser to 44 doctoral graduates in the discipline of communication. His research activity includes a grant from the U.S. Department of State to work on democratization efforts with journalists and press secretaries in Siberia, Russia.

"In the next 10 years, a provost needs to be able to help deans generate revenues," Kay said. "We can't continue to put it on the backs of students with increases in tuition and fees."

Jeffery Elwell is professor and dean of East Carolina University's College of Fine Arts and Communication. Comprised of schools of art & design, communication, music, and theatre & dance, the college has grown to more than 2,200 students and 160 full-time faculty during his 4 ½ years as dean. In that same time frame, the college has received more than $4 million in internal support and $3 million in external support.

"I think it's (EMU) a university that is poised, and can and could make a leap to the next level. I think it can build its reputation and impact," Elwell said. "I have the skill set to make that happen."

A CANDIDATE'S CONVERSATION: Jeffery Elwell, professor and dean of East Carolina University's College of Fine Arts and Communication, makes a point during his forum with faculty. Elwell was the second finalist to interview for EMU provost. Photo by Anthony Gattine

His awareness of EMU's strong theatre program since the 1980s and the fact that his grandparents reside in Garden City were other reasons Elwell cited for his interest in the post.

When asked how he would assist faculty in balancing the demands on teaching and conducting research, Elwell said, "Research is on equal footing with teaching. I think they're both important. As a faculty member, I thought my research informed my teaching ... You have to find balance, both as an institution and individual faculty."

When asked what the three biggest challenges Eastern faces academically are, Elwell said enrollment, retention and operating budgets are challenges most universities are struggling with. He said declining enrollment corresponds to a decline in high school graduation rates, which means the way EMU recruits students will have to be addressed.

With regard to operating budgets, Elwell said "I would like to see more resources come to Academic Affairs to handle students. I just know that if you keep getting smaller freshman classes, that's something that lasts five or six years."

Elwell is currently co-chair of the diversity committee and a member of the bylaws committee for the International Council of Fine Arts Deans. For the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, he has served as the conference planner (1999, Toronto); on conference planning committees; and as chair, vice-chair and conference planner of the Playwrights Program.

Elwell has received more than $700,000 in grants and fellowships. Professional theatres in Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, New Orleans and New York, as well as Australia, Canada, Poland and Sweden have produced his plays.

He was a member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) Board of Directors and served on that organization's   nominations committee. He served as Region IV Playwriting Awards Committee Chair, vice chair and on the executive committee for the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. In addition, he served as chair and vice-chair of the Southeastern Theatre Conference's Playwriting Committee and the group's New Play Project; and as a member of the editorial board of SOUTHERN THEATRE.

Elwell received his doctorate in speech communication/theatre from Southern Illinois University, his master's degree in communication/theatre from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and his bachelor's degree in English from California State University-Bakersfield.

"Why do I want to be a provost? It's a sickness I have," Elwell said, with a laugh. "...I think being a chief academic officer is a noble and high enough aspiration."

Robert Neely has served in EMU's Division of Academic Affairs since January 2005, initially as the senior associate vice president and currently as the associate provost and associate vice president for research.

Neely's responsibilities include divisional oversight of the Faculty Development Center, Halle Library, Office of Institutional Research and Information Management, Academic Human Resources, Office of Research Development, the directors of Institutional Assessment and Academic Assessment, as well as divisional budget and facilities. Similarly, he currently serves on EMU's Institutional Strategic Planning Council, Educational Environment and Policies Committee, Information Technology Steering Committee, University Budget Council, and Strategic Operations Council, among other responsibilities.

INSIDE ACADEMIA: Bob Neely, associate provost and associate vice president for research at EMU, answers a question during his forum with faculty May 7. Neely has worked at EMU since 1984 and said he understands the University's academic culture. Neely was the third finalist interviewed for EMU provost.

Because of his familiarity with EMU's academic culture, Neely perhaps provided the most pointed and detailed answers of any of the candidates, even saying a reorganization was possible if he were named provost.

"There's no point beating around the bush. I think the division needs to entertain a reorganization," Neely said when asked how he would address the needs of EMU's five colleges. "We need to look at our number of colleges and see whether there is duplication of programs or program overlap. There are too many walls and silos to programs working here."

On EMU moving forward in the development of its education, Neely said, "I would like to foster more interdisciplinary activities. A big hurdle to that is administrative and contractual hurdles," Neely said. "I think we're trying to do too much at Eastern. We will have to ask tough questions and have critical conversations. We'll have to look at the breadth of our programs and have to decide where we want to go."

Neely also touched on a desire to increase general fund funding for research, start collaborations with faculty well before contract negotiations and tackle retention issues in a number of ways, including improve attitudes on campus so that goodwill trickles down to the student body.

"The provost has to be a morale booster. I want people to think of Eastern in a positive way," he said. "Basically, I want to get to the point where we are proud of what we can do."

As associate provost, Neely was responsible for the implementation and oversight of a revised program review process, enhancing faculty support on various fronts, including the creation of additional Distinguished Faculty Awards; streamlined the approach for one-year sabbaticals; provided benefits for Fulbright awardees and support of SOTL activities. In addition, Neely strategically redefined EMU's approach to seeking federal earmark awards, and assumed additional administrative responsibilities to enable the division to cope with budget reduction during a time of financial constraint in the Michigan economy. Neely also has helped EMU in the area of fundraising by assuming important roles in acquiring major donations.

With his colleagues and collaborators, he has contributed to successful research grants of more than $1 million, as well as contributed 26 scholarly publications. He has been recognized with a State of Michigan Teaching Excellence Award (1991) and with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service John A. Moffit Award for Outstanding Publication (1993). In addition, he has mentored 19 master's students in biology at EMU.

While a faculty member (1984-1995), Neely also served as the district director for Beta Beta Beta - The Honorary Biological Society, was newsletter editor for the Society of Wetland Scientists and graduate coordinator in the Department of Biology.

Neely received his doctorate in botany from Iowa State University, his master's degree in biology from Baylor University and his bachelor's degree in biology from Southwest Baptist College.

"I operate openly. I'm not afraid to make mistakes. I want to be collaborative, flexible and responsive," Neely said. "Usually, when I say I'm going to do something, I do it."

Joan Ficke serves as vice provost for Academic Affairs and professor of community health at Montclair State University. In this capacity, she exercises a wide range of administrative responsibility for the Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of the Provost, and oversight for all faculty personnel processes, including faculty recruitment, hiring, reappointment, tenure and promotion.

Ficke also provides primary leadership for faculty development and enhancement activities such as the New Faculty Program and the Chairs Council, as well as resource collaboration across the entire spectrum of the university. In addition, Ficke supervises resource planning in the Division of Academic Affairs through various direct report offices, including the offices of the registrar, graduate admissions and support services, summer sessions and special programs. She also supervised the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs/IRB and the University Honors Program.

LOOKING TO ADVANCE: Joan Ficke, who is vice provost for academic affairs at Montclair State University, has 11 years experience in the provost's office there. Ficke wants to become a provost and sees many similarities between Montclair State and EMU. Ficke was the fourth finalist interviewed for EMU provost. Photo by Anthony Gattine

After working 21 years at Montclair State, including in some capacity in the provost's office since 1998, Ficke said, somewhat jokingly, that she "had been in provost school long enough."

"Montclair State is an institution of opportunity. I believe EMU is an institution of opportunity. If I move somewhere to be a provost, I want to move somewhere where the work does that for me," she said, adding Montclair State had its origins as a Normal school much like EMU.

To succeed, Ficke said "EMU has to make its mission very clear, its value very clear. It has to value the effectiveness of faculty and have a transparent administration. Stay on message. Stay on message. Stay on message."

She added EMU should parlay its strengths — such as teaching and nursing — into additional strengths and get current students to act as school ambassadors to help bolster enrollment. She said EMU should focus on enrolling students who want to stay in Michigan and focus on how EMU matches up with the state of Michigan's employment needs.

At the same time, Ficke said she was not comfortable admitting students without having adequate resources in place that will help them succeed. She said Montclair State's retention rate is currently 63 percent, well above its previous rate that was somewhere "in the 40s."

Prior to her time as vice provost, Ficke served as associate vice president for Academic Affairs for Personnel and Resource Planning, assistant vice president for personnel, interim dean of students, and as director of the Women's Center. In the latter, she initiated a close collaboration with the Women's Studies Program, resulting in recognition as an honoree at the Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, N.Y.  Ficke holds her primary appointment in the Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, with collaborative responsibility in the Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education. Her work as a faculty member centered primarily on career preparation in community health services and women's health issues for undergraduates. At the graduate level, she taught courses in health policy, the organization and administration of health care, and health counseling.

Ficke has published in venues ranging from journals to contracted reports to health articles in the daily press. Her presentations have ranged from academic conferences in both public health and higher education, to hospital in-service training, and presentations to government agencies and community groups.

Ficke served as executive director of the New Jersey Business Group on Health, a 55-member consortium of Fortune 200 and 300 companies; and as the president and executive vice president for the Montclair chapter of the American Federation of Teachers.

She received both her doctorate in community health and her master's degree in school health education at New York University. Ficke received her bachelor's degree in physical education and health at Montclair State College. In addition, she is a certified health education specialist.

Ficke has completed study at the Wellesley College of Management Training for Women, Clinical Training in Behavioral Medicine (Mind/Body) at Harvard Medical School, and was a Visiting Faculty Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson School for Public Policy at Princeton University.

"There has to be someone looking at the big picture to evaluate resource needs of the university as a whole," Ficke said. "That's the provost's responsibility. It should be based on data and the mission of the university."

Jack Maynard is provost and vice president for academic affairs and a professor of educational leadership at Indiana State University. He has been interim or permanent provost there since 2003. While at Indiana State, Maynard also was dean of the School of Education from 2001-2003.

As provost, he spearheaded a new strategic plan focused on three core initiatives: community engagement, experiential education and programs of excellence. He secured grant funding to move those initiatives forward.

INDIANA EDUCATOR: Jack Maynard, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Indiana State University, said he is seeking a new professional challenge during his open forum with faculty May 14. Maynard was the fifth and final candidate interviewed for EMU provost. Photo by Anthony Gattine

Some of his other initiatives included developing a Center for Public Service and Community Engagement to coordinate the university's outreach efforts; initiated a task force with the Faculty Senate to redesign general education; created a Center for Instruction, Research and Technology to support faculty growth and institutional priorities; and reorganized admissions operations from one of access mission to recruiting higher ability students.

Maynard said he is happy with the work he's done at Indiana State, but is looking for a new challenge at age 61, saying he feels better than he has in a while after having two knees replaced during Christmas.

"In all sincerity, I've always respected this institution," he said, mentioning he got to know about EMU as he formerly worked at the nearby University of Toledo. "And I need a challenge."

Economics, image and recruiting were challenges he said EMU is currently facing. To combat that, Maynard said, "Don't run away from who you are. Embrace what you do and promote your other areas."

Maynard said there will never be enough money for Academic Affairs to do everything faculty wants it to do. But he said what money does exist needs to be prioritized by looking at the effectiveness of programming.

"I'm a firm believer you don't solve problems just by cutting. Universities need to invest in new programs, even in budget shortfalls," he said. "You have to make a decision. Are things as important as they once were? Or, do you reevaluate and reallocate that money for something else."

He added he expects faculty to not only embrace teaching and research, but to be "good citizens" and participate in departmental activities and committees. He also is a proponent of giving faculty release time for research, but said "I expect a product that is produced that is relevant to your department."

During his career, Maynard also has served as dean of the School of Education and Human Services and a professor of education at the University of Michigan-Flint from 2001-2003; director of the Northwest Ohio Urban Partnership/University Initiative at the University of Toledo; associate dean/assistant dean of the College of Education and Allied Professions at the University of Toledo; and acting, associate and assistant dean of the College of Education at Marshall University.

He has been an NCATE Board of Examiner member since 1983; has served as chairperson of Teacher Education Councils for both West Virginia and Ohio; and is a founding member of the Council of Great City Colleges of Administration.

Maynard received his doctorate in educational administration and higher education from West Virginia University and both his master's degree in educational administration and his bachelor's degree in secondary mathematics from Marshall University.

"I like this institution," he said of EMU. "I'm not putting out resumes everywhere."

Don Loppnow, EMU's provost since September 2004, stepped down May 1. He is currently serving a year as EMU's vice president of advancement.

Tom Venner, dean of EMU's College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Provost Search Committee, said that the committee has completed its on-campus interviews of provost candidates.

"The committee's next meeting is on Monday, May 18, at which time they will determine which candidates to recommend to President Martin," Venner said. "President Martin plans to move quickly to make a decision and complete the search."

For more information on the provost search, go to http://www.emich.edu/provostsearch/