By Timothy A. Norton
Reinhardt University announces the selection of provost, Mark A. Roberts, Ph.D., to participate in a yearlong Presidential Vocation and Institutional Mission program for prospective college and university presidents by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC).
Dr. Roberts, together with 19 others chosen for the highly competitive program, will engage in two seminars, participate in consultations with experienced facilitators, and undertake a series of readings about the vocation of college presidents and the role of vision and mission in institutional leadership. The seminar-based program is designed to help individuals with the potential to serve as college and university presidents clarify the alignment between their personal and professional values and goals and the missions of institutions that they might lead in the future. The program aims to produce presidencies that are long lasting, highly effective, and satisfying to both the individual and the institution.
“Dr. Roberts’ tireless work as senior academic leader at Reinhardt has, among many other accomplishments, resulted in our successful reaccreditation process last year, development and launch of our nursing and MFA in creative writing programs and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Engaged Learning,” said university president Kina S. Mallard, Ph.D. “ We are extremely proud of Provost Roberts. This opportunity recognizes his skills as a leader and affirms that others recognize his potential for the future.”
Dr. Roberts came to Reinhardt University in 2013 as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty following a successful four years as provost at a prior institution in Virginia. He was named Reinhardt’s first provost, a role that integrates leadership in academics and student development in an effort to better serve students, in January 2017. Roberts earned his Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies in the humanities and the M.A. and B.A. in English language and literature. Roberts is editor of the “James Dickey Review.”
“Dr. Roberts is highly respected by our faculty and administrators, leaders in our community and, beyond Reinhardt, by colleagues around the country who have served with him in advancing private higher education for the public good,” said faculty senate chair Dana Hall, Ph.D.
This approach to the preparation of new presidents has proven highly successful in the period that the program has been operating. Since 2005, 53 program participants (33 percent) have been named to college presidencies—a very high rate of advancement among leadership development programs.
The program is directed by Frederik Ohles, Nebraska Wesleyan University president and CIC senior advisor. For more information about the Presidential Vocation and Institutional Mission program, which is generously funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., visit www.cic.edu/VocationMission.
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Founded in 1883, Reinhardt University is a private, comprehensive institution grounded in the liberal arts and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Reinhardt offers more than 40 graduate and undergraduate programs online and on campus, ranging from business and education to music and theatre. Reinhardt also offers programs in other centers in the North Georgia region. Reinhardt’s main 525-acre campus is ideally located in Waleska in the heart of Georgia’s high country and nearby the great international city of Atlanta. Named a College of Distinction, Reinhardt earned Georgia, Christian, Business and Education badges for 2018-19. For more information, please contact Reinhardt at (770) 720-5600 or see Reinhardt.edu.
The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) is an association of 770 nonprofit independent colleges and universities, state-based councils of independent colleges, and other higher education affiliates, that works to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of independent higher education’s contributions to society. For more information, visit www.cic.edu.
