Associate Provost of Academic Operations

The Associate Provost of Academic Operations provides mentorship to various constituents and is looked to as the “interpreter of all things academic.” In addition to numerous other responsibilities, the Associate Provost of Academic Operations serves as a faculty liaison, assists with Ferris Faculty Association contract maintenance while overseeing classroom usage, assignments and upgrades. In addition, the Associate Provost of Academic Operations ensures that the academic policies of the University are exercised appropriately and formulates recommended changes to existing policy.  The Associate Provost of Academic Operations demonstrates commitment and sensitivity to multicultural and international issues, aligns with the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fosters consensus and commitment to shared governance and participatory management.

 

 

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Don Flickinger 
Don Flickinger was appointed Associate Provost for Academic Affairs in 2007. He will serve in a mentorship role until his retirement in May 2012.

Associate Provost Flickinger joined Ferris State University in 1985 as a faculty member in the Humanities Department of the College of Arts and Sciences. He directed the concert band, orchestra, marching band, athletic band, and taught music classes. He also served as Coordinator of the Music Industry Management program from 1997-1999.

In 1997, he was appointed Acting Department Head for the College of Arts and Sciences’ Humanities Department. In 1999, following a national search, he was appointed Humanities Department Head and retired from that position in July of 2006. At the Ferris President’s request, Don rejoined Ferris’ family to serve as Associate Provost, a position he will retire from in 2012. In addition to his contributions to Ferris, Don has held a long tenure with the Blue Lakes Fine Arts Camp, a passion he will continue to pursue in his retirement.

 

 

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Paul Blake 
Dr. Paul Blake was appointed Associate Provost for Academic Affairs in 2012. Associate Provost Blake previously served as Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Services and a Professor of English at Ferris State University. Since his arrival at Ferris in 1989, Dr. Blake has served as an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Program Coordinator of English Education, Professor, Interim Associate Dean, and Associate Dean. During his tenure, he has also been involved in numerous committees and task forces including the University Assessment Committee, University Student Life Committee, Curriculum Committee, University Academic Policy and Standards Committee, Faculty Sponsor of The Non-Traditional Students Association, Athletic Advisory Board, Honors Advisory Committee, HLC Steering Committee, University Bargaining/Faculty Negotiations Team, President’s Task Force for Academic Advising, and President’s Strategic Planning Task Force: Distinctiveness Committee.

Dr. Blake has done valuable work at Ferris to forge a positive relationship between the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and Human Services to more effectively and efficiently serve the needs of education students in areas related to advising, curriculum, and state regulations and testing. Dr. Blake has also worked to significantly improve communication and collaboration with Ferris’ Big Rapids and satellite campus locations.

Associate Provost Blake earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Michigan State University, Master of Arts degree in English from Ball State University, and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in English from Michigan State University. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Management Development Program at Harvard University Graduate School of Education.