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Northwest Leadership Team
Matt Baker, Ed.D.
Vice President of Student Affairs
Dr. Matt Baker was named vice president of student affairs in July 2011. Baker joined the Northwest staff in 1993 as a residence hall director before leaving in 1996 to work on his master's in higher education administration at the University of Arkansas. He returned to Northwest in 1998 as residential life coordinator for student services and subsequently served as assistant director of residential life, associate director of residential life, director of residential life and dean of students. Baker earned his bachelor's in psychology from Kansas State University and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia. The Division of Student Affairs includes the offices of campus activities, residential life, Greek life, intercultural affairs, leadership development, student organizations, student government, judicial affairs and volunteer services as well as auxiliary services (dining services, bookstore, union operations, residential facility management) and wellness services (health clinic, personal development and counseling services, health education).
Wren Baker
Director of Athletics
Wren Baker was named director of athletics in February 2011. Before joining the Bearcats he spent the previous five years serving as the athletic director at Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla. Baker was the first athletic director in RSU history and led the development of one of Oklahoma's most successful collegiate athletic programs. At the time of his naming, Baker was the youngest athletic director in the country at a four-year university. Prior to joining Rogers State, Baker was the principal and athletic director at Valliant (Okla.) Public Schools. Before entering administration, Baker was an assistant for the Oklahoma State University basketball program from 2001 to 2005, under the direction of former head coach Eddie Sutton. From 1999 to 2001, Baker was an assistant men's basketball coach at his alma mater, Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Baker received his bachelor's in health and physical education from SOSU in 2001 before earning his master's in educational leadership from Oklahoma State University in 2003.
Stacy Carrick
Vice President of Finance
Stacy Carrick began her role as the vice president of finance in February 2010. A Certified Public Accountant, Carrick received a bachelor's from Northwest in 1988, and earned an MBA from Webster University. Carrick served in a variety of capacities for Heartland Health in St. Joseph, most recently as the director for Decision Support Services. Prior to her employment at Heartland, she was a senior auditor at KPMG Peat Marwick in Kansas City. Carrick has also served as an examiner, senior examiner and judge for the Excellence in Missouri Foundation's Missouri Quality Award program.
Douglas Dunham, Ph.D.
Provost
Named provost at Northwest in 2010, Dr. Doug Dunham came to Northwest in 1995 when he joined the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Counseling as an assistant professor. He advanced to the position of associate professor in 2002 and the rank of full professor in 2008. After serving as the department's chair from 2005-2007, Dunham was named interim director of the Office of Assessment, Information and Analysis and assistant to the provost in 2007. He became the associate provost in 2008 and served as interim provost for eight months prior to his formal appointment. As provost, he is the University's chief academic officer.
John Jasinski, Ph.D.
University President
Dr. John Jasinski began his presidency July 1, 2009. He returned to Northwest after serving the institution from 1986 to 2001 as a faculty member, department chair and associate provost.
Before being chosen as Northwest's president, Jasinski served Northwood University from 2007 to 2009 as executive vice president/chief academic and operating officer. He founded and served as president of Jasinski Consulting Services from 2001 to 2009. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Educational Leadership/Higher Education Administration) and master's and bachelor's degrees from Central Michigan University.
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Michael Johnson
Vice President of University Advancement
Mike Johnson became Northwest's vice president of university advancement in August 2011. He previously was assistant vice president of alumni relations at the University of Northern Colorado where he advanced alumni programs; prioritized outreach and engagement; elevated alumni engagement; and enhanced volunteer recruitment. He also served as the vice president for development at the University of Northern Colorado Foundation while directing the quiet phase of the Transforming Lives campaign. Prior to his work in Colorado, Johnson was director of alumni relations at Northwest from 1995 to 2004. He also was operations manager of Northwest's radio station and NPR affiliate, KXCV/KRNW, from 1985 to 1995. Johnson earned his bachelor's in mass communication from Northwest in 1985.
Mitzi Lutz
Interim Vice President of University Relations
Mitzi Lutz was named Northwest's interim vice president of university relations in April 2011. Lutz received a bachelor's in public relations and a master's in higher education leadership, both from Northwest. She joined the University staff in 1999 and since that time has served the Office of University Advancement and the Office of University Relations in a variety of positions, including director of advancement communications, director of information and marketing and chief public relations officer. Lutz also serves as the editor of the Northwest Alumni Magazine, a responsibility she's had since the publication's inception, and is an adjunct instructor in the Department of Communication, Theatre and Languages. Prior to Northwest, Lutz was employed at advertising agencies in Nebraska and Missouri, was a newspaper reporter and was a community development coordinator for a regional planning commission.
Kyra Mills
Interim Director of Information Systems
Kyra Mills was named interim director of information systems in November 2011. She joined Northwest as a PC technician in 2000 and also has served the University as a system administrator, data security analyst and director of networks and data centers. Previously, she taught high school math and science in Rock Port, Mo., for 20 years. In addition to teaching, she provided computer training and support for the faculty and installed and maintained the school district's computer network. Mills received a bachelor's in education from Peru State College.
Mary E. Throener
Vice President of Human Resources and
Organizational Effectiveness
Mary Throener, vice president of human resources and organizational effectiveness, has been with Northwest since 1988. She formerly worked in Human Resource Management's student employment department and was a faculty member in the Department of Marketing and Management. She also served as director of human resources management. Throener received her master's and bachelor's degrees from Northwest and holds certification as a senior professional in human resources from the Society for Human Resource Management. She is responsible for all facets of human resources at Northwest, including compensation and benefits, workplace and professional development initiatives, work and job design analysis and employee well-being and satisfaction. She is also charged with cultivating organizational improvement across operational areas and has oversight for the University Police Department.
