Michael “Mike” J. McKenzie is an accomplished academic leader with more than two decades of experience in higher education administration, teaching, and research. He currently serves as Vice Provost for Program Management and Strategic Initiatives at Appalachian State University. He recently served as Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Winston-Salem State University, a role in which he oversaw academic affairs, student affairs, IT, and research at the request of the UNC System. His responsibilities at Appalachian have included program development and offerings, academic space management, academic planning for the opening of the App State Hickory Campus, as well as overseeing Appalachian’s partnership with Project Kitty Hawk, a UNC System initiative designed to recruit online adult learners, among other responsibilities.
In addition to his academic and research contributions, Dr. McKenzie has held a wide range of senior leadership roles, including Dean of Graduate Studies, Department Chair, Chief Research Officer, and Director of Honors and Student Research, among others. His leadership is characterized by a commitment to student success, shared governance, and the development of innovative programs. He has also completed executive education programs at Harvard Business School, the Harvard Management Development Program, and the University of Houston’s Strategic Foresight program.
Dr. McKenzie earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University, his Master of Science degree from the University of Florida, and his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His scholarly expertise lies in exercise science, and he is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM). Throughout his career, he has published extensively, delivered professional presentations nationwide, and served as president of the Southeastern chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine.