The theme this year seems to continue to be that of growth and advancing personnel is another way Avila is expanding and growing. We are very pleased to announce two advancements that will help catapult the goals of Avila into 2024-25 academic year and beyond. Effective April 1st, Dr. Andy Jett has been appointed as the Chief Growth Officer at Avila University while continuing to maintain his current role as Dean of the College of Innovative Professional and Graduate Studies. This new role combines the responsibilities of the Dean with a strategic focus on expanding and developing innovative academic programs for adult undergraduate, graduate, and workforce development students both domestically and internationally.
As the Chief Growth Officer and Dean, Dr. Jett will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to significantly grow our offerings that support our mission of being a university of access both here in the US and abroad. He will be responsible for working with our marketing and recruiting partners to conduct market analyses, streamline operational processes and develop internal capacities to allow growth to occur while still assuring rigor and quality of our academic programs. His role will also be responsible for establishing and maintain partnerships with industry and community organizations, and developing alternative delivery models such as online, hybrid, accelerated, stackable credential programs.
Dr. Jett brings a wealth of experience in higher education leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a strong commitment to serving students and the workforce community. He’s served in a variety of roles, including as Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Vice President of Strategic Planning, Academic Resources, and Chief Information Officer at Baker University. Dr. Jett will work closely with the CIPGS faculty and staff, as well as the rest of the campus community, to ensure instructional and program quality. He will collaborate with other members of the University Leadership Cabinet to support strategic initiatives related to student recruitment, admissions, career services, and student support.
With his appointment, we reaffirm our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our students domestically and worldwide. We could not be more pleased at this appointment.
We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Bryan DePoy as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Avila University, effective immediately. Dr. DePoy has been serving as the Interim Chief Academic Affairs Officer since this past January. Dr. DePoy brings a wealth of relevant experience to his new role. He joined Avila University as the Associate Vice President for Assessment and Accreditation at Avila University and will continue to be the point person for these responsibilities under his new role.
Dr. DePoy is a leader in the areas of assessment and accreditation, including presenting at conferences such as the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE) and the Indiana University Purdue University (IUPUI) Assessment Institute. Dr. DePoy also serves in leadership roles on Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reviews and visits and is also as an evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Dr. DePoy served on the music faculties of Delta State University and Southeastern Louisiana University. Additionally, Dr. DePoy’s administrative experience includes serving as a Dean of Fine and Performing Arts at Youngstown State University, where he also served as interim Associate Provost for Research and Dean of Graduate Studies. He also served as the Chief Academic Officer and Provost for eight years at Lake Erie College, and Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives at Russell Sage College (NY).
As Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. DePoy will continue to lead with his experienced, collaborative, and strategic approach.
Both Jett and DePoy are great assets to the staff of Avila University and will continue to drive growth and help us provide Education Without Limits domestically and internationally.