R. Keith Iddings, PhD

Nicholasville, KY  40356

Career Summary

Executive-level educational administrator with over 26 years of experience in higher education.   Managed professional staff, budgets, operations, and strategic growth initiatives relating to academic programs, student life, marketing, curriculum, regulatory compliance, athletics, library services, records, instructional technology, remote campus locations, and student retention. Promoted multiple times due to significant improvements in academic quality, student recruitment, retention, net revenue, and cost containment. Viewed as a leader, particularly in developing innovative programs to serve underserved populations.

Major Strengths & Accomplishments

• Organizational Development. Instrumental in the design and implementation of major organizational redesign and alignment of two universities. Navigated the complexities of significant change improving missional effectiveness, operations, and net revenue.
• Innovation. Drawing on data analysis and systems thinking, designed and implemented multiple new programs and methods of educational delivery to better serve non-traditional students and to better promote student success.
• Leadership. Consistently pursued a philosophy of hiring for “fit,” servanthood, and systematic delegation to empower staff under my supervision to innovate, excel, and thrive.

Career History

Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs   2014-2017    Eastern University (St Davids, PA)

Reported to the president. On the president’s leadership team.   Oversaw all budgets and programming related to the core mission of the university including academic programs through the PhD (traditional, adult, and online), deans, and faculty, student development, athletics, library, Center for Teaching & Learning, Center for Student Success, Evangelicals for Social Action, Esperanza College and Palmer Seminary. Played a lead role in the development of a clear university strategy (including its urban strategy in Philadelphia), reorganization of the entire academic program, program prioritization and reconfiguration resulting in significant staffing reductions and cost savings, and development of new systems to support retention.

Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs  2005-2014  Southern Wesleyan University (Central, SC)

Reported to the president. On the president’s cabinet. Oversaw deans, registrar, library, IE, academic support. Gave oversight to all academic programs at SWU including both traditional campus programs and non-traditional adult programs. Instrumental in the reorganization of the institution, revision of the university mission, development of university learning outcomes, revision of the general education, redesign of the adult undergraduate program, development of community expectations, redesign of the freshman retention program for the campus, revision of the academic class schedule, design and implementation of online degree programs, and many other quality improvement initiatives. Also oversaw the reaffirmation of SACS accreditation and the acquisition of NCATE and NASM accreditation for the institution.

Dean, Division of Open Studies      1995-2004  Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL)

Reported to the Provost. On the president’s strategic cabinet. Peer of other deans and VPs. Marketing & admissions, academics, and student services all reported to me for non-traditional programs. Responsible for budgets, planning and oversight of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s eight extension sites, distance learning courses, and the non-traditional, undergraduate programs of the College of Arts and Sciences (REACH). Responsibilities include oversight and growth of all non-traditional undergraduate and graduate programs. Collective programs grew markedly. During the last year, also gave oversight to Miami campus and developed the Miami strategy. Saw major increases particularly in teacher education programs and in the urban programs in Chicago. Began on-line distance education program.

Director of Curriculum and Research Services   1991-1995  Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion, IN)

Reported to the VP for Adult & Professional Studies. Supervised a coordinator and three administrative assistants. Was a peer of other directors and three deans.   Oversaw the development of curriculum for graduate and undergraduate courses in several decentralized, innovative, adult degree programs. Completely overhauled MBA and MSM programs. Instituted collaborative approach to course writing. Revised guidelines to course writers to more overtly integrate faith into coursework. Developed learning outcomes across the curriculum.

Missionary   1982-1991  OMS International (Manila, Philippines)

Participated in a multi-national team in starting a thriving evangelical church in Manila. Primarily responsible for youth and leadership development. Served as field treasurer and then as field leader.

Associate Pastor   1979-1982  Bethel Baptist Church (Bethel, OH)

Served primarily as youth pastor and director of the Christian education program.

Education

1991 Ph.D. in Continuing & Vocational Education, University of Wisconsin – Madison.

1983 M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky.

1979 AB in Biology / Chemistry Secondary Education, Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky.

Skills

Strategic planning; project management; curriculum and instruction; organizational design; collaborative leadership; systems development; statistics and data analysis; evaluation research; writing and public speaking. Also proficient in MS Office software and conversant with a variety of technologies, databases, and learning management systems.

What Former Colleagues Have Said

• “I have appreciated [Keith’s] thoughtful and methodical leadership, which brought many policy-related issues into shape. [He] has done what many administrators have been afraid of doing and has shaken our complacency.”
• “I am struck by the openness, humility, and graciousness he demonstrated in the midst of unsettling, even uncertain times.”
• “[I have appreciated] the kindness and integrity [Keith] always demonstrated in his leadership.”
• “There’s no doubt that [Keith] brought considerable perspective and wisdom to the academic operation here.”
• “[Keith is] one of the few people that came to the university and I believe that ‘saw me.’”
• “I hope that he knows that the difference that he made at [the university] is one that has set things in motion that we will be living the fruits out for many, many years to come.”
• “I think he has done a wonderful job here under very difficult circumstances.”