Associate Provost of Academic Operations

Dr. Jason Bentley
Interim Associate Provost of Academic Operations

The Interim Associate Provost of Academic Operations provides leadership and support for the day-to-day operations of Academic Affairs, working closely with the provost, deans, associate deans, the Academic Senate, faculty, staff, and our many university partners. In this role, Dr. Bentley helps support academic policy development and implementation, academic planning, enrollment initiatives, student and faculty concerns, budget and personnel matters, collective bargaining and contract maintenance, faculty review processes, operational questions from academic leadership, and continuity for Graduate Studies and the broader work of the Provost’s Office.

Dr. Bentley brings substantial experience to this interim appointment. Since joining Ferris in 2017, he has provided leadership for a broad portfolio that includes academic advising, interdisciplinary programs, student success initiatives, accessibility and disability services, honors, tutoring and structured learning assistance, the faculty center, library operations, academic service learning, first-generation student support, Navigate360, and the Ferris Equity Initiative. He also helped support significant institutional initiatives, including the work of Reimagining West Michigan.

Before joining Ferris, Dr. Bentley served as Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success at Morehead State University and held multiple leadership roles at Central Michigan University. Across these roles, his work centered on academic operations, student success, strategic enrollment planning, athletics, educational governance, cross-divisional collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and the development of systems and practices supporting students, faculty, and staff.