Steps down after decade of leadership
on adult learner programs
MURFREESBORO — Mike Boyle has enjoyed his 10 years of
leading MTSU’s University College and its push to reach out to adult learners,
but for a while now he’s known that it was time to begin that next career
chapter in higher education.
“You know when it’s time,” said
Boyle, who decided to step down as dean of University College. “You can just
feel it.”
To celebrate Boyle’s leadership as
dean as he prepares a transition back to the classroom as an MTSU faculty member,
University Provost Brad Bartel hosted a recent reception at the Tom H. Jackson
Building attended by Boyle’s wife, Connie, MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and
a host of colleagues and friends.
Boyle's official last day as dean
was Monday, Aug. 31.
“Mike has served this university
with great administrative skill over the last decade,” said Bartel, noting that
Boyle was the senior dean among the top college administrators. “One of the
major accomplishments has been placing MTSU as the state leader in adult
learning. He has also presided over our expansion of distance education,
the establishment of the campus center in Shelbyville, and the success of our
University Studies department.”
When Boyle came to MTSU from the
University of Louisville a decade ago, he took over a department that had been
led by Rosemary Owens, who is now a coordinator in the Office of Community
Engagement and Support. Boyle led the department’s transition to a college
focused on supporting and attracting older students through flexible courses,
online offerings and customized degree programs.
McPhee praised Boyle for elevating
University College’s profile across the Tennessee Board of Regents, the state
of Tennessee and even nationally. The Adult Degree Completion Program at MTSU
is the largest in the state.
“MTSU is the unquestioned leader
in addressing the areas of nontraditional students,” McPhee said. “We will
certainly continue to benefit from the great work you’ve done.”
Boyle recalled a leadership course
while completing his master’s degree where his instructor boiled down
leadership theories to two things: “If you’ve got a good idea and you take care
of your people, you will be successful.”
“I think we’ve done that. … It
wasn’t me, it was all of these people,” Boyle said, glancing around Cantrell
Hall at those he’s worked with over the years. “I hope that I have left as good
of a foundation as Rosemary left me.”
Bartel has appointed University
College Associate Dean David Gotcher as the interim dean. A national search will
be for a permanent dean this academic year.
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