Myers McRae Seeks Provost for Middle Georgia State University
September 29, 2020 – Macon, GA-based Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting has been enlisted by Middle Georgia State University to lead in its search for a provost and vice president of academic affairs. Emily Parker Myers, CEO, and Kenny Daugherty, president, are leading the assignment along with senior vice president Jennifer Barfield.
As the chief academic officer, the provost provides strategic vision and academic leadership to advance the institution’s mission and goals, while being dedicated to the success of faculty and students of Middle Georgia State University. This executive officer promotes the goals of an affordable access university with a blended function and is committed to fostering a culture of academic teaching and learning excellence across the university.
The provost is charged with new academic program development as well as continual improvement of existing academic programs. This executive officer has the primary responsibility of shaping and guiding the university as it expands services both academically and within the communities.
Myers McRae said that candidates must have an earned doctorate from a regionally accredited institution and evidence of successive academic administrative and supervisory experiences with qualifications meriting appointment at the rank of full professor in a discipline offered by the university. The search firm is looking for candidates with extensive expertise in program and curriculum development, program review and enhancement, continuous quality improvement processes, and budget and fiscal management is required. Candidates should have a broad knowledge of the accreditation process. Administrative experience within a mid-sized multi-campus institution is preferred.
Located in Macon, GA, Middle Georgia State University is a multi-campus, baccalaureate and graduate degree-granting public institution enrolling more than 8,300 students in fall 2020. Enrollment is largely comprised of students from most of Georgia’s 159 counties – with students from many U.S. states and also internationally. The university has five campuses – Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman and Warner Robins, all located in central Georgia – and unlimited outreach through MGA Direct, a fully-online campus.
Resourceful Recruiters
Myers McRae serves colleges, universities, independent schools and other not-for-profit institutions. Nearly all of its search professionals have a minimum of 20 years of experience in higher education. The majority of the firm’s searches have been for presidents, chancellors, provosts, vice presidents, deans and other senior academic and administrative leaders. Myers McRae recently placed the president of Judson College, provost and dean at the Citadel and director of development at Piedmont College, among other roles.
Related: Academic Search Recruits Provost for Gonzaga University
Ms. Myers has led Myers McRae since 2008. As the firm’s executive officer, she has broadened the firm’s scope and modernized processes, emphasizing responsiveness, timeliness, effectiveness and affordability. While utilizing new technology in the executive search process, Ms. Myers said she remains committed to the firm having person-to-person connections with candidates and that clients stay at the center of every search.
Myers McRae Recruits Provost for Methodist College
Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting placed Suzanne Blum Malley as the new provost for Methodist University. “Dr. Blum Malley brings to us a strong track record of academic and scholarly success, and she is a seasoned and highly capable academic leader,” said Stanley T. Wearden, president of Methodist University.
Known for her leadership expertise and commitment to excellence, Ms. Myers brings to the firm’s searches her extensive firsthand knowledge and experience in higher education administration. For most of her career, she served as senior vice president of university advancement and external affairs at Mercer University.
Mr. Daugherty has an extensive background in higher education administration, having served 28 years in public and independent institutions. Throughout his career in higher education, he had personnel responsibilities and served on numerous search committees for professional staff and administrators for the institution. Mr. Daugherty has conducted hundreds of searches for schools across the nation, including presidential searches for the University of Montana Western, Northwest Missouri State University, McDaniel College, Oakwood University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, Pasco-Hernando State College, Pierpont Community and Technical College, Wichita Area Technical College and the Georgia Independent College Association.
Ms. Barfield works directly with colleges and universities on the recruitment and evaluation of candidates to fulfill their search needs. She brings more than 20 years of experience in education in fundraising, public relations, program development, strategic planning, and alumni and donor relations to our clients. Her career ranges from a private college-preparatory school, First Presbyterian School; a private university, Mercer University; and a state university, Middle Georgia State University.
Related: Spencer Stuart Recruits Provost for American University
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
