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Following a national search, �鶹����AV President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., announces the appointment of Brian K. Payne, Ph.D., as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.  

“Provost Payne is the chief academic affairs officer that �鶹����AV requires at this critical time in our storied history and promising future in order to advance our collective, forward-focused vision,” said President Hemphill. “His collaborative approach to important areas, such as student success, academic excellence, faculty recruitment and retention and fiscal management, has proven he is the right person for �鶹����AV.” 

Throughout Provost Payne’s 32-year career, he has served in a variety of teaching and leadership capacities within academia. Beginning as an Assistant Professor at Troy State University and rising to positions of Department Chair at Georgia State University and then Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Dean of Interdisciplinary Schools and most recently Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at �鶹����AV, Dr. Payne’s vast experience encompasses supporting and leading faculty colleagues with a specialized focus on innovative approaches and transformative initiatives throughout his professional career.  

As Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Payne has reallocated funds and reorganized academic advising to reduce the administrative workload on faculty, streamlined processes enabling deans to prioritize funding requests and initiated the faculty-led general education reform. Through the appointment of Provost Fellows, Dr. Payne has worked to improve student retention, progression and graduation, as well as advance artificial intelligence coursework in key areas of education, ethics, healthcare, supply chain management and policy.  

With the Mobility Mindset Initiative, Provost Payne has led �鶹����AV to reduce barriers and build seamless pathways to degree attainment through accelerated courses, badges and stackable certificates leading to master's degrees. Under Provost Payne’s leadership, �鶹����AV received a very positive and highly favorable review from SACSCOC, the accreditors responsible for authorizing the ongoing operation of �鶹����AV, as well as reviewing the integration of Eastern Virginia Medical School into �鶹����AV. 

President Hemphill expressed his gratitude to the Search Committee led by Professor and Chair of Sociology and Criminal Justice Ruth Triplett, Ph.D., and Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President for Strategic Operations Ashley Schumaker. Comprised of a majority of faculty representatives, additional Search Committee members included: Ivan Ash, Ph.D.; Evelyn Ashley, Ph.D.; Ann Bruhn, BSDH, MS, RDH; Don Combs, Ph.D.; Tammi Dice, Ph.D.; John Ford, Ph.D.; Nina Rodriguez Gonser, MBA; Oscar Gonzalez, Ph.D.; Dennis Gregory, Ed.D.; Holly Handley, Ph.D.; Wayne Hynes, Ph.D.; Stephanie Jennelle, MBA, CPA; Shannon Robinson, Ed.D.; September Sanderlin, SPHR, SHRM-SCP; and Brett Cook-Snell, Ph.D. 

Dr. Ford, Professor of Marketing and International Business, Eminent Scholar and Haislip Rohrer Fellow, added, “In my 40 years at �鶹����AV, I have interacted with many individuals, including current and past administrators. For me, Dr. Payne embodies Monarch values that ensure our students are first and our community is connected. He is the best individual to lead the University’s academic enterprise given his direct experience, significant knowledge and existing network both inside and outside of the University. I was honored to be asked to serve on the committee by President Hemphill and appreciated the manner in which my colleagues jointly carried out our charge and work.”  

Dr. Gregory, Associate Professor of Higher Education, also expressed his gratitude to his fellow committee members by saying, “It has been a real pleasure to be a part of the search committee for the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. The committee was a great mix of faculty, department chairs, deans and other administrators. Everyone actively participated in the process, shared their ideas and perceptions and did not hesitate to express both positive and negative views of the candidates to enhance our efforts to move the best candidates forward. I think we all felt ‘heard’ during the process. Thanks to President Hemphill and our co-chairs for the experience.”  

Dr. Triplett shared, “As Co-Chair of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Search Committee, I was impressed by the collaborative spirit and dedication with which the members of the committee worked. From the beginning of the Spring semester, where we finalized the Leadership Profile, to April, and the selection of candidates to submit to President Hemphill for campus interviews, the committee’s commitment to �鶹����AV and the search shone through. It was expressed in the amount of thought and time each member gave to the process, including the numerous hours spent reviewing materials and engaging in discussions. All were intent on bringing to the campus candidates who could best position �鶹����AV for future success. Congratulations to Dr. Brian Payne on his selection as the new Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.” 

In being selected as �鶹����AV’s Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Payne said, “Serving �鶹����AV has been the hallmark of my professional career. I am beyond honored to be chosen by President Hemphill to serve in this permanent role. In the interim role over the past year and throughout my tenure as a Monarch, I have been continuously reminded of what makes �鶹����AV so very special. It is the people – our talented students, world-class faculty, dedicated staff, passionate alumni and strong supporters – that make our campus community second to none. I pledge to dedicate my effort and expertise to continue �鶹����AV’s legacy of academic excellence and student success in addition to our critical role as a high-quality provider of opportunity and impact in the areas of teaching, learning, research and service. I look forward to advancing President Hemphill’s bold vision and joining together with my fellow senior leaders, the faculty and staff in Academic Affairs and Monarchs all across campus and beyond on our continued journey.” 

A Professor of Criminal Justice, Provost Payne continues to publish and receive honors and recognitions for his work in the field. In 2024, Provost Payne received the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Founders Award. His alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s College of Health and Human Services, named him to the Hall of Distinction in 2019.  

Following the outstanding work of the Search Committee and direct engagement from the broader campus community, Provost Payne begins his permanent role on May 10, 2025.