University begins interviews for provost, vice president for academic affairs position

Four candidates are being considered for the new provost and vice president of academic affairs position at Emporia State. D’Ann Campbell, Tes Mehring, Ed Huckeby and Lemuel Berry will continue to visit the university through May for on-campus interviews.

The Provost/VPAA will serve as the head academic official and will lead ESU in all aspects of academic issues. The creation of the position was announced at the Spring General Assembly in January.

The new Provost/VPAA will serve as a leader in the development and fostering of new academic programs that reflect needs of the community as well as the state. Other duties include leading the deans from the various academic schools, managing the academic budget to effectively achieve the university’s goals, directing the hiring of new faculty and helping the university president develop academic policies.

The Provost/VPAA search committee is comprised of various department and school heads as well as students. The committee will conduct on-campus interviews with each candidate during their visit to ESU. Candidates must be able to actively seek student input and address concerns of students as well as faculty members and show a commitment to general academic excellence.

“The committee has been charged with bringing to campus candidates that demonstrate clear leadership in vision for academic excellence, ability to lead enrollment management efforts, engage with faculty, staff, students and the community, and share an interest in working with all facets of the institution to promote and enhance Emporia State University,” said James Williams, vice president for strategic partnerships and student life.

The selected candidates represent a wide variety of backgrounds, specialties and experience in various academic and professional fields.

D’Ann Campbell has received a doctorate in history from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and received post graduate training in military history, quantitative methods and legal contracts. She is the former dean of academics at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and most recently served as Director of Government and Foundation relations.

Campbell also served as interim president from 2001-2002 at White Plains College in New York and has experience in the field of academic affairs. She has served as vice president for academic affairs twice, once from 1997-1999 at Sage College in New York and again from 1999-2001 at New Hampshire College.

In her cover letter to the university, Campbell cited her experience in fundraising as one of her best skills.

“Why be shy about asking for money for as worthy a cause as higher education,” Campbell asks in her letter. “I have raised real money. I have knocked on the doors of local business, national corporations and international foundations from Boston to Chicago to Tokyo seeking money by selling my vision of the value of higher education to the community.”

Campbell was awarded the Goldberg Award for outstanding fundraising for the non-profit private sector in 1997.

Tes Mehring has received a bachelor of music in applied music, music education and psychology, a master of science in counseling psychology, and master’s of science education degree in special education and a doctorate in Special Education/Educational Psychology and Research. She has served as the interim VPAA at ESU and as Dean of the Teacher’s College for 13 years.

Mehring has been instrumental in developing numerous academic programs for ESU including the creation of the bachelor’s of science degrees in health promotion and athletic training and master’s degrees in clinical psychology, early childhood, instructional design and technology, mental health counseling and the new leadership minor. Mehring has served at ESU for nearly 30 years.

In her cover letter to the committee, Mehring cited her commitment to academic excellence as a strong point.

“The development of college-wide guidelines for promotion and tenure during my initial year as dean has resulted in significant scholarly achievements and productivity by all faculty within the college,” Mehring said in her letter.

Ed Huckeby has received a bachelor of arts and a doctor of education in education and a master’s of arts in music education. He is the associate vice president of academic affairs and chief academic/operating officer for Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow, Okla. The position has required him to serve as a liaison for NSU to the general community.

In addition to academic duties, Huckeby served as chairman of the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2007 and as a member of several political and economic councils for the region.

In his letter to the search committee, Huckeby cited his ability to network as a strong point in his abilities.

“Extensive administrative experience, professional contacts and an international reputation can be significant assets in garnering faculty, alumni and community support for the continued growth and development of Emporia State University,” Huckeby said in the letter.

Lemuel Barry Jr. has received a bachelor of arts, master of arts and doctorate in music education and has served as Provost/VPAA at Huston-Tillotson University in Texas from 2006-2007. He also served as a consultant for numerous universities. From 1995-2001 he served as Dean of the Caudill College of Humanities for Morehead State University in Kentucky. He is also the author of numerous books on the topic of Afro-American music.

In his letter to the search committee, Barry cited his ability to create opportunities for the university as a personal asset.

“I am a visionary thinker who takes advantage of available opportunities and one who also creates opportunities for institutional organizations where I have served,” Barry said.

An official decision is expected in mid-May after the committee has compiled all of the feedback information and submitted it to ESU President Michael Lane.