dr. karla k. leeper executive vice president for operations … · 2020. 5. 1. · marketing and...
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DR. KARLA K. LEEPER
Executive Vice President for Operations
Augusta University/Augusta University Health System
(previously Georgia Regents University/Georgia Regents Health System)
EDUCATION
Ph.D., University of Kansas, Communication Studies M.B.A., Augusta University M.A., University of Kansas, Communication Studies
School of Law, University of Texas at Austin, academic years 1985-86 and 1986-87 (no degree obtained)
B.A., University of Iowa, Speech Communication and Political Science
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE
Executive Vice President for Operations, Augusta University/Augusta University Health, September 2018-present
Executive Leader for the Divisions of Marketing and Communication, Auxiliary Services, Facilities, and Human Resources for the Augusta University/AUHealth enterprise. I have 7 direct reports, oversight of a nearly $80 million budget and 750 total employees in my area.
AU is a highly matrixed organization and in this role I have a number of additional institutional leadership and governance roles
Member of the 6 person President’s Executive Cabinet Member of the 8 person External Relations Cabinet
Member of the 30 person Provost’s Cabinet
Member of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s Steering Committee
Member of the 25 person Emergency Preparedness Committee
Member of the AU and AUHealth capital and space committees
Chair of the Parking Leadership Committee
I am also AU’s representative in a number of community development efforts such as the CVB strategic planning project, the Richmond County TIA public advisory
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board, the CSRA 2050 transportation strategic planning advisory board. In addition I present regularly to local realtors, business organizations and community groups about the institution’s plans, projects and initiatives. Key Accomplishments
As part of the President’s Executive Cabinet I led my division through a system-wide Comprehensive Administrative Review designed to identify efficiencies and opportunities to reduce overhead and provide more funds to efforts that can directly impact students. To date our institution has redirected $21.2 million dollars.
In partnership with the VP of Facilities, the Associate VP of Auxiliary Services and the VP of Human Resources, reorganized those units to provide greater efficiency and better institutional service.
Created a new initiative to encourage more members of our local business community to participate in institutionally issued RFPs. Biannual programs help local business owners more fully understand our processes and how they can interface effectively with a state entity. After the first year we have seen an increase in the number of firms submitting qualifying bids and the greater competition has already had an impact on our contracting costs.
Instituted programs with the local school district, the local technical college and Ft. Gordon Army Base to actively recruit individuals with a background in the skilled trades into our workforce.
Oversaw a number of facilities projects in various stages of development: completion of the $125 million Georgia Cancer Center and the $100 million Georgia Cyber Center buildings, construction $75 million College of Science and Mathematics, design of a 1350 space PPV parking structure and a PPP project to build a 375 bed residence hall. We have also undertaken a number of deferred maintenance and significant energy infrastructure projects. We are in the very early stages of planning a new clinical/translational research building.
In partnership with the Medical College of Georgia Foundation master planned 15 acres near the campus to include a new institutional office building as well as housing and retail opportunities.
Established an institutional presence in downtown Augusta by successfully negotiating and executing a lease to locate 300 FTE’s in the heart of our city.
Migrated all HR functions to the new OneUSG peoplesoft system.
Created and began the implementation of a new strategic plan for the institution’s dormant Leadership Development program.
In FY19 AU/AUHealth received an ad value equivalency of $9.7 million in earned media.
AUHealth’s NRC and Healthgrades data indicate that the institution is receiving its highest levels of positive brand recognition in nearly two decades. That recognition is translating into revenue as the health system is poised to reach the $1 billion revenue mark this year. Our digital marketing campaign alone is currently generating nearly a 17:1 return on investment.
In partnership with academic leadership, the Division of Communication and Marketing created Augusta University’s first undergraduate recruitment campaign designed to raise the institution’s student quality
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scores to the level of Georgia’s other R1 institutions in Georgia. The Freshman index has risen from 2650 in 2014 to just over 2800 in the Fall of 2020.
In partnership with the Enrollment Management unit, the Division of Marketing and Communication redesigned all recruiting collaterals, digital outreach strategy, and cam pus visit experience. In the first year of our efforts we reversed a three year trend in declining enrollment and have experienced sustained growth, averaging 2.7% each year from 2015 to 2019.
Successfully managed a number of crisis communication situations ranging from prison health care to one of the largest data security breaches in American health care.
Redesigned the suite of alumni communications, improving alumni engagement during a very difficult period following consolidation and two name changes. Alumni fundraising participation rate has grown by an average of 2% each year since 2016.
Supporting institutional advancement’s IGIVE annual fundraising campaign, increasing the campaign’s result by an average of 3% each year since 2017.
Redesigned fundraising stewardship material and leading the process of creating material for upcoming comprehensive campaign which will include scholarships, endowed faculty positions and a new tower for the Children’s Hospital of Georgia.
We are in the final stage of an RFP for Dining Services, and will begin an RFP for our bookstore in the coming year.
Executive Vice President for Strategic Communication and Chief Marketing Officer, Augusta University/Augusta University Health System, July 2015-September 2018
During consolidation our institution combined a number of functions into one unit. Post- consolidation this arrangement did not meet strategic institutional needs. A new president created a stand-alone Division of Communication and Marketing, a stand-alone Division of Advancement, and retained Government Relations and Strategic Initiatives within the President’s office. I was tasked to lead the new Division of Communication and Marketing. In this role I had oversight of a $6.1 million budget and 50 employees.
In our matrixed organization I served in several other leadership and governance roles:
Member of the 6 person President’s Executive Cabinet governing Augusta University and AUHealth
Member of the 8 person Governance Committee for the AUHealth system’s fiscal revenue cycle transformation project, and change management executive leader
Member of the 6 person Strategic Planning Leadership Advisory Team for
Augusta University’s strategic planning project
Member of the 8 person External Relations Cabinet
Member of the 30 person Provost’s Cabinet
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Member of the 25 person Emergency Preparedness Committee
Institutional representative on Augusta CVB Strategic Planning Task Force
Key Accomplishments
Managed Presidential transition communication
Lead Executive in Enterprise-Wide Name Change from Georgia Regents University/GRHealth to Augusta University/AUHealth. New brand standards earned CASE Gold award.
Initiated an institutional Identity Management Business Intelligence plan
Develop, implement and assess marketing plans for each of the 10 colleges at the University, as well as a few identified centers of excellence.
All 5 institutional magazines have won awards from national higher education communication organizations.
In FY17 product licensees increased by 20%, and licensee sales i ncreased by 52.8% in the year following the name change.
Executive Vice President for University Relations and Chief of Staff to the President and CEO, Georgia Regents University/Georgia Regents Health System, June 2014-July 2015
Operational Oversight of President/CEO’s office
• Managed 8 employees and budget of $1 million Manage presidential transition (the President resigned in January of 2015) • Supervise a full time staff of four, along with two work-study positions. • Coordinate agendas for weekly Executive Cabinet meetings • Responsible for management of Twin Gables, the President’s residence. • Responsible for compliance with University document retention policy • Responsible for strategic management of the calendars for
the President/CEO and First Lady • Oversee the preparation of briefing materials for the President/CEO
as appropriate
Responsible for the preparation of speeches, presentations and talking points for the President
Coordinate President/CEO oversight of University Athletics, Enterprise Audit, Enterprise Compliance, and the Office of Legal Affairs
Enterprise-wide executive responsibility for
Marketing and Communication with a budget of $2 million and 50 employees.
University Advancement with a budget of $1 million and 40 employees. This unit also included event services, alumni relations and relationship management of four independent foundations.
Government Relations with a budget of $500,000 and 7 employees. This unit included federal, state, community and system office relations. In addition it supervised a student internship program.
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Student Internship program Strategic Initiatives with a budget of $750,000 and 8 employees. This unit is responsible for managing corporate affiliations with Cerner, Phillips and several smaller health care operations
Vice President of Board and Executive Affairs and Chief Compliance Officer, Baylor
University, November 2013-June 2014
Asked by the Baylor Board of Regents to create new office to serve the growing needs of the Baylor Board of Regents and to advise the Board on strategic direction for compliance following a review by two outside consultants. My position reported directly to the Chair of the Board of Regents and the Chair of the Board’s Audit and Compliance Committee.
This position provided executive leadership for Board Relations, Governmental Relations, University Event Services, and Chief Diversity Officer, Enterprise Risk Management.
Vice President of Executive Affairs and Chief of Staff to the President, Baylor University, February 2013-November 2013
Maintained all Chief of Staff duties and added: Governmental Relations with a budget of $500,000 and 3 employees in addition to a federal consulting contract. .
Developed and implemented legislative agenda at the state level
Collaborated with Vice Provost for Research on state and federal grant opportunities
Oversaw campus compliance with state and federal law relating to lobbying and political activity
Maintained relationships with local and state delegations
University Events Services with a budget of $600,000 and 12 employees.
Conducted a strategic turnaround of the unit responsible for planning and executing all University special events
Chief of Staff to the President, Baylor University, 2006-November 2013
Operational Oversight
• Managed three presidential transitions
• Supervised a full time staff of 5, along with 3 work-study positions
• Coordinated agendas for weekly Executive Council meetings
• Responsible for management of Allbritton House, the
President’s residence
• Responsible for compliance with University document retention policy
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• Responsible for strategic management of the calendars for
the President and First Lady Responsible for the preparation of speeches, presentations and
talking points for the President • Chair of the Campus Crisis Management Team
Board Relations
• Principal liaison to the Board of Regents
• Responsible for construction of quarterly board meeting agenda in collaboration with the President, Executive Council and Board Chair
• Responsible for coordinating the logistics of quarterly board
meetings
• Responsible for oversight of the content and logistics of fundraising events held in conjunction with quarterly board meetings
• Responsible for recurring communication with members of the Board of Regents
Communications
• Directed all communications from the President’s Office
• Conducted research as necessary on relevant issues to prepare significant speeches, opinion/editorial pieces for publication, and reports to external entities
• In collaboration with the Vice President of Marketing and Communication, developed strategic messages for the University
• Managed strategic campus events that are sponsored by the President’s Office
Finance/Budgeting
• Responsible for the Office of the President and Board of Regents’ budgets
• Supervised efforts to meet our audit and tax compliance obligations
• Represented the President on the University Long Term Financial Modeling Working Group
• Represented the President on the Quarterly University Budget Allocation Team
• Represented the President on the Personnel Matters Working Group
• Convened working group to revise the University’s grant management infrastructure. Result was a substantial investment in software and a revision in University’s accounting procedures to enhance the competitiveness of our researchers in the grant application process.
Fundraising
Managed the President’s fundraising portfolio.
In collaboration with the Provost provided leadership to the Division of University Development during two separate interim leadership periods
• Created and managed strategic messaging for on and off
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campus Presidential development related events
• Reviewed all gift agreements requiring the President’s signature.
• Developed and implemented plans to resolve sensitive or difficult donor-related issues
o Renegotiated gift agreement which contained provisions that were not in the best interests of the University, and which resulted in a new agreement, additional commitment of University funds, and improved relationship with donor family
• Member of 7 person team creating and implementing successful campaign to raise $250 million for an on-campus football stadium. Over $100 million raised during the first six months of the campaign
• Authored 300 page report on best practices in collegiate Alumni Relations. In collaboration with the Vice President of Marketing and Communication, created and implemented a plan to reorganize the University’s alumni relations program
• Represented the President and the Executive Council at athletic events, donor events, student events community events and alumni events
Strategic Relationships
• Primary liaison to Baylor’s independent Baylor Alumni Association
• Represented Baylor University and the President in a number of community organizations including:
o Waco Mammoth Foundation Board
o Brazos Valley Communication Foundation Board
o Waco Education Alliance
o Greater Waco Advanced Health Care Academy
o Waco Leadership Forum-Education Subcommittee
o Waco Chamber Public Policy Alliance
o Waco Foundation Today’s Action/Tomorrow’s Leaders
Diversity
Designated Chief Diversity Officer in 2010
Represented the University at the Big 12 Chief Diversity Officers Consortium
Authored a report on best practices in diversity programs at private universities.
Created first campus organizations outside of the Division of Student Life to focus on the improvement of a campus climate for diversity: President’s Diversity Council, Diversity Advisory Committee, Bias Motivated Incident Support Team.
In partnership with student leadership and alumni, designed, funded and constructed the NPHC garden in the Traditions Square area of campus.
Initiated and created training program for Discerning Dialogues project.
Informed Engagement in the Community Initiative Led a group of 40 faculty, staff and students to create the 10 year strategic plan for the University’s community engagement work as a
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subset of the University’s broader strategic plan; recommendations presented to President and Executive Council in May of 2013
Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Faculty Initiative
Led a group of faculty to develop a strategic plan to recruit and retain diverse faculty. This group assessed best practices,
evaluated current practices in hiring, mentoring, tenure and
evaluation. Recommendations sent to the Provost Baylor in Washington Initiative
Led a campus-wide effort to increase the University’s profile in Washington, D.C.
o Managing a strategic partnership with Georgetown University
o Managing an academic partnership with Gallup, Inc.
o Developing a program of monthly faculty research presentations in Washington, D.C.
o Negotiating a partnership with American University to double the number of Baylor students participating in the AU Washington Semester program
o Creating a fundraising campaign with a goal of $10 million o Manage a current budget of $150,000 per year
Chair, Department of Communication Studies, 2004-2006
Responsible for operating a department of 40 faculty and staff and 600 majors. Departmental budget was approximately $2 million. Curriculum included concentrations in rhetoric, organizational communication, interpersonal communication, film and digital media and broadcasting.
Director, Glenn R. Capp Debate Forum, 1992-2006
Responsible for coaching and travel for a squad of 15 to 20 teams involved in audience debates, Cross Examination Debate Association format debate, a n d N a t i o n a l Debate Tournament format debate; recordkeeping, budgeting and administration; and the hosting of two tournaments each year
Director, Baylor Debaters’ Workshop, 1992-2005.
Responsible for advertising, curriculum development, staff supervision financial planning and management of two sessions of the Baylor Summer Debate Workshop for 300 high school students and 20 high school
teachers with a budget of $300,000
Project Director, Department of Education GEAR UP Grant (1999-2010)
Served as the project director for a portion of two $6 million GEAR UP grants received by Baylor University. Project Democracy was designed to develop speech and debate activities in the six Waco middle schools. As project director I oversaw $150,000 a year in funding. I served on the advisory board for the grant’s project directors, as part of the advisory board for public relations, and
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as part of the advisory board for evaluation
Chair, National Debate Tournament Committee, 2004- 2006
The National Debate Tournament Committee oversees all aspects of intercollegiate debate’s national championship tournament. The Chair is responsible for overseeing the national tournament qualification process, assessing and reviewing tournament procedures, handling media coverage of the tournament and participating in fundraising for the NDT foundation
American Forensics Association President 2000-2002
The American Forensics Association is the national organization within the National Communication Association that oversees all competitive intercollegiate speech and debate programs. The AFA creates professional development programs, ensures compliance with academic and ethical standards for competition, regulates tournament practice, operates the premier argumentation journal in our field, Argumentation and Advocacy, and coordinates the content and logistics for the national conference
SCHOLARSHIP
Faculty Appointments
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Communication, Augusta University Faculty, Department of Communication Studies, Baylor University Assistant Professor (1992-1999), Associate Professor (1999-2009), Professor (2010-2014)
Representative publication and
presentation
Administration and Leadership
Leeper, Karla. (2018, May) Crucial Conversations. Presentation to the Columbia County, Georgia, Women on the Way Leadership program.
Leeper, Karla. (2018, March) The Role of Communication and Marketing in
Institutional Consolidation. Presentation at the AASCU Conference for Senior Professionals, Washington, D.C.
Leeper, Karla. (2018, Jan./Feb.) How Augusta University Got Its ‘A’ Back. Currents.
Leeper, Karla. (2017, Oct.) Crucial Conversations. Presentation at Columbia County Women on the Way in Evans, Georgia.
Leeper, Karla. (2017, Oct.) Communication Skills in Medical Practice. Presentation to
Medical College of Georgia Residency Program.
Leeper, Karla. (2017, Sept.) Brand Management in Higher Education. Presentation at Elevate Georgia Strategic Communications Symposium in Athens, Georgia.
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Leeper, Karla. (2017, March) Personal Branding. Presentation at Columbia County Women on the Way in Evans, Georgia.
Leeper, Karla and Lee Merchen. (2017, Feb.) Leadership and Personal Branding.
Presentation to the Augusta University/AUHealth Women Leaders Pipeline Program.
Leeper, Karla. (2016, June) Executive Media Training. Presentation to Augusta
University/AUHealth leadership team.
Leeper, Karla (2016, April) Media Skills for Medical Professionals. Grand Rounds presentation to Medical College of Georgia.
Forensic Pedagogy
Leeper, Karla. (2008, Nov.) The Importance of Mentoring: Increasing the
Number of Women Directors of Forensics. Presentation to National Communication Association annual meeting in San Diego
Leeper, Karla and John Cleavelin. Learning Debate: An Interactive Educational DVD. 2006. Submitted to Department of Education as part of the GEAR UP Waco federal grant
Leeper, Karla. (2006, July 23) Engaging At Risk Students With Technology.
Presented at the July NCCEP/GEAR UP Conference in Washington, D.C.
Leeper, Karla and Matt Williams. (2005, Spring). Howdy Partner! Sites of Resistance in
University/Public School Grant Projects. Presented to GEAR UP Texas meeting
at Texas A&M University
Leeper, Karla. (1997, July) Professional Requirements of the Debate Director in the
21st Century. Proceedings of the Tenth NCA/AFA Conference on Argumentation. Annandale, VA: National Communication Association
Fritch, John and Karla Leeper. Forensic Quarterly, Summer issue from 1992-1998
Herbeck, Dale A. and Karla Leeper. (1991/92) Policy Debate as a Laboratory
for Teaching Argumentation Skills. The Forensic Educator, 6, (1) 23-
28
Fritch, John, Karla Leeper and Robert Rowland. (1990/91) Summer Workshop
Accreditation: Some Preliminary Thoughts. The Forensic Educator, 5,
(1) 20-22
Rhetorical Studies
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Leeper, Karla. (2004, March). The Presidency and Democratic Deliberation.
Presented to the Texas A&M Conference on the Presidency. Bush
Presidential Library, College Station, TX
Leeper, Karla. (2002). The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Debate. Proceedings
of the Twelfth NCA/AFA Conference on Argumentation. Annandale, VA: National Communication Association
Leeper, Karla and Jon Bruschke. (1995, December) The Prevalence of the Abuse
Excuse: Media Hype or Cause for Concern? Communications and the Law, 17(4)
Fritch, John and Karla Leeper. (1993, Spring) Poetic Logic: The Metaphoric Form as a Foundation for a Theory of Tropological Argument. Argumentation and Advocacy, 29, (4) 186-194
Herbeck, Dale A., and Karla Leeper. (1985) In the Matter of Snyder: Do
Attorneys Have First Amendment Rights? Free Speech Yearbook,
24, 105-113
Argumentation and Public Policy Analyses
Leeper, Karla. (2003). Mental Health and Civil Liberties. Houston: Communican.
Leeper, Karla. (2001). Arms Control. Houston: Communican.
Leeper, Karla. (2000) Constitutional Rights and Privacy. Houston: Communican.
Leeper, Karla. (1999) School Choice. Houston: Communican.
Leeper, Karla. (1998) Loose Nukes. Houston: Communican.
Leeper, Karla. (1997) Global Warming: Fact or Fiction. Houston:
Communican.
Leeper, Karla. (1996) Guns, Gangs and Drugs. Houston: Communican.
Leeper, Karla. Human Rights and U.S. China Policy. Houston: Communican.
Leeper, Karla. (1994) Refugees and Human Rights. Houston: Communican.
SERVICE
Council on the Advancement and Support of Education Circle of
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Excellence Awards Judge Coordinator, 2019 and 2020
Augusta CVB Destination Development Advisory Group Strategic Planning Task Force 2017-2020
Augusta CVB All In Augusta Campaign Leadership Council, 2018-2019
Leadership Augusta Executive Forum Planning Committee, 2017-2020
Finance Committee, American Forensics Association, 2017- 2019
Board of Trustees, National Debate Tournament, 2017-2020
Chair, Board of Directors of the Augusta Players, 2015-2020 Chair of Finance Committee 2020 Chair of Governance Committee 2016-2019
Chair, Board of Directors of the Augusta History Museum, 2016-2019
Columbia County Women on the Way mentoring program, 2015-2018
Rotary International, Scholarship Committee, 2012-2014
Brazos Valley Broadcast Foundation Board Member, 2006-2014
Waco Mammoth Foundation Board Member, 2007-2014
Waco Education Alliance Board Member, 2007-2014
Waco Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee, 2013-2014
Waco League of Women Voters
• Vice President for Programs (2010-2014)
• Facilitator for annual municipal candidate forums
• Facilitator for three community meetings organized by the Superintendent and Board of the Waco Independent School District to discuss four school closings. (Spring 2012)
• Volunteer facilitator for Cooper Foundation leadership seminars and Region XII
Academic Leadership summit
SELECTED HONORS AND AWARDS
Hull College of Business, Top Student Award, 2019
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Beta Gamma Sigma Business Academic Honor Society, 2019-present
Augusta University Employee Advisory Council Teamwork Award, 2017
Given by the Employee Advisory Council to the Division of Communication and Marketing to recognize a high performing team who models open communication, trust, cooperation and respect for differences by building effective and collaborative relationships to accomplish organizational goals
Russ Sullivan Leadership Award, 2014
Given by the Division of Government Relations to a person who exemplifies leadership in public advocacy on behalf of the institution
Campus Diversity Award, 2015 Given by the Baylor Diversity Committee for contributions to the campus climate for diversity
Baylor Student Advocate Award, 2008
Given by the Division of Student Life to a person outside that Division who has contributed significantly to the life of Baylor’s students
George Ziegelmueller Award for Excellence in Directing Forensics, 2001
National Federation of Interscholastic Speech and Debate Associations Service
Award Winner, 1999
Donn W. Parson Outstanding Young Forensics Educator Award, 1997
E.C. Buehler Outstanding Teaching Award, Department of Communication
Studies, University of Kansas, 1991
International Communication Association Outstanding Teacher in the
Department Award, University of Kansas, 1991
Second Place, National Debate Tournament, 1985
Dionicio Flores
Regent and Search Committee Chair
Texas State University System
March 26, 2020
Dear Mr. Flores,
Please accept this letter and my materials as an expression of great interest in the presidency of Sul Ross State University. Sul Ross plays a very important role in Texas’ 60x30 strategic plan for education. I am enthusiastic about the mission of Sul Ross and I am even more excited about the potential that I see in your institution.
Sul Ross has a number of assets that position it well in the landscape of higher education. The West Texas location of Alpine is a real asset, and are very appealing for a number of young people looking for an inspirational location in which to pursue their studies. The multiple campuses of Sul Ross are also offer a strategic opportunity to offer the opportunity to provide marketable skills that will enrich the lives and communities of West Texas.
I spent over twenty years in private higher education in Texas gaining important experience in areas such as government relations, fundraising, higher education finance, operations and strategic planning. Six years ago I made the decision to take the lessons I learned and use them to serve students in public higher education at a unique and very innovative institution in Georgia. My experience at Augusta University has given me the opportunity to learn about working within a state system structure, handling budgets within the public funding model, planning bond funded and PPV funded capital projects, leading at an institution with a multi-city campus, and building a community alongside our university.
On a personal note, my husband is a native Texan and he and I have spent some wonderful days in the Alpine and Big Bend area. We love the outdoors and the area has been one of our very favorites. The landscape is one of Texas’ best and the people are warm and the culture of the communities is rich. I would love the opportunity to be an advocate for the area’s higher education institution.
Thank you for considering my application. If I can provide additional information or answer any questions, I would be happy to do so.
Warm Regards,
Karla Leeper