Dr. Michael T. West has accepted an appointment by EWU President & CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., as the university’s new Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Operations, Systems Management and Process Optimization (VP-IEOSPO) effective July 1, 2022. As an integral member of the President’s Executive Cabinet and the University’s senior administrative team Dr. West will maintain direct leadership and operational oversight towards assuring the comprehensive development, implementation, and advancement of the University’s strategic and operational plans to include but not limited to institutional planning, research, effectiveness, process and systems optimization, academic program development support, as well as project and change management practices. 

“As EWU continues to expand the breadth, depth, and overall competitiveness of its academic and institutional profile it is imperative that we continue to position ourselves to achieve our goals through data driven objectives that are under girded by focused operational and strategic planning,” said President Faison.

More particularly, and in collaboration with the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. West will serve in tandem as one of the university’s primary administrators responsible for coordinating cooperative cross divisional efforts in leading attendant activities in preparation for the institution’s SACSCOC decennial reaffirmation of accreditation process and visit slated for Fall 2025. Additionally, Dr. West will also provide direct leadership and management for the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of the University’s administrative services programs, operational systems, and activities while maintaining responsibility for sharing in the management and oversight of the University’s facilities management, campus master planning, and strategic management of campus capital and construction projects.  

“I am ecstatic to welcome Dr. West to EWU and am confident that he brings precisely the level of experience and acumen needed as a seasoned institutional planning, research, and effectiveness administrator to further augment and focus our progressive growth while simultaneously leading in preparation for our 2025 decennial reaffirmation of accreditation effort” President Faison said.       

As an accomplished senior administrator with an impressive higher education career spanning nearly 20 years, Dr. West has served in senior leadership capacities in strategic planning and institutional effectiveness, enrollment management, accreditation, and accelerated online and adult learning at a number of colleges and universities from throughout the country. He most recently served as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Shaw University (NC) where he also formerly served as Director of the University’s Office of Strategic Planning, Institutional Research and Effectiveness. Dr. West also priorly served as Associate Vice President for Adult, Graduate, and Professional Studies at Carthage College (WI) before later serving as Executive Director for Enrollment Management at Georgetown University’s (D.C.) School of Continuing Studies.   

“I am awestruck by President Faison’s incredible vision for the future of Edward Waters University and am further inspired by EWU’s recent remarkable growth and progress towards achieving that vision under his exemplary leadership,” said Dr. West. “I look forward with great anticipation to have the opportunity to serve in partnership with such a distinguished and thriving community of Edward Waters’ administrators, faculty, staff, and alumni in support of the outstanding students at EWU,” West said.

Dr. West earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Human Services from Ottawa University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Loyola University Chicago; a Master of Science in Education (MSc.Ed) from the University of Pennsylvania; and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Administration from the University of Georgia. He is a Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP) and a U.S. Navy veteran. 

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Edward Waters University (EWU), is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and is also a member institution of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The university is a Christian, Historically Black, urban liberal arts institution that offers quality academic programs. The University strives to prepare students holistically to advance in a global society through the provision of intellectually stimulating programs, and an environment that emphasizes high moral and spiritual values in keeping with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Edward Waters University seeks to develop excellence in scholarship, research and service for the betterment of humanity. Founded in 1866, it is the first private and independent institution of higher education and first historically black college or university in the State of Florida.