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Embattled MVSU president announces major administrative overhaul
By Andy Kanengiser
andy.kanengiser@clarionledger.com
Embattled Mississippi Valley State University President Lester Newman today announced a major administrative overhaul at the Itta Bena school, the first in more than five years.
As part of the retooling, Newman said the school will eliminate the position of provost and reassigned Cassie Osborne to become a senior research fellow.
Other changes include:
# a new job for longtime administrator Roy Hudson, who's worked at the school since 1973. He will give up his post of vice president for university relations to become senior vice president and chief of staff.
# a new post for chief of staff Tonjanita Johnson, who will become vice president for university relations.
# Newman also announced the hiring of Johnson Akinleye as vice president for academic affairs effective July 1. He has served as vice president for academic affairs and chief operating office at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Fla.
The changes require the state College Board's OK and would go into effect Aug. 1 if the board approves.
The elimination of the provost job and reassignment of duties "will steamline our administrative structure,'' Newman said.
Asked how much the plan will save, MVSU public relations director Debbie Montgomery said it's "premature to discuss it'' until the board approves in July.
In recent months, Newman has drawn fire from faculty leaders who slammed his "micromanagement'' leadership style and pressed for his dismissal.
Newman's reorganization plan relied on advice from school consultants, Montgomery said.
Other top staff staying include: athletics director Lonza Hardy, vice for student affairs Gerald Peoples and Andre Curry, vice president for fiscal and administrative affairs.
Newman said the changes are the first steps to develop a more effective MVSU.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070614/NEWS/70614051
By Andy Kanengiser
andy.kanengiser@clarionledger.com
Embattled Mississippi Valley State University President Lester Newman today announced a major administrative overhaul at the Itta Bena school, the first in more than five years.
As part of the retooling, Newman said the school will eliminate the position of provost and reassigned Cassie Osborne to become a senior research fellow.
Other changes include:
# a new job for longtime administrator Roy Hudson, who's worked at the school since 1973. He will give up his post of vice president for university relations to become senior vice president and chief of staff.
# a new post for chief of staff Tonjanita Johnson, who will become vice president for university relations.
# Newman also announced the hiring of Johnson Akinleye as vice president for academic affairs effective July 1. He has served as vice president for academic affairs and chief operating office at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Fla.
The changes require the state College Board's OK and would go into effect Aug. 1 if the board approves.
The elimination of the provost job and reassignment of duties "will steamline our administrative structure,'' Newman said.
Asked how much the plan will save, MVSU public relations director Debbie Montgomery said it's "premature to discuss it'' until the board approves in July.
In recent months, Newman has drawn fire from faculty leaders who slammed his "micromanagement'' leadership style and pressed for his dismissal.
Newman's reorganization plan relied on advice from school consultants, Montgomery said.
Other top staff staying include: athletics director Lonza Hardy, vice for student affairs Gerald Peoples and Andre Curry, vice president for fiscal and administrative affairs.
Newman said the changes are the first steps to develop a more effective MVSU.
http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070614/NEWS/70614051
