DR. KARLA K. LEEPER Executive Vice President for ... · KARLA K. LEEPER Executive Vice President...

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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 UniversityM.A., University of Kansas, Communication StudiesSchool of Law, University of Texas at Austin, academic years 1985-86 and 1986-87 (nodegree 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 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

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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.

• In partnership with the VP of Facilities, the Associate VP of Auxiliary Services, reorganized those units to provide greater efficiency and better institutional service.

• 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.

• 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, planning for 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 planning 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.

• New strategic plan for the institution’s 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 developed Augusta University’s undergraduate recruitment campaign designed to increase enrollment and raise the institution’s student quality scores to the level of Georgia’s other R1 institutions in Georgia.

• In partnership with the Enrollment Management unit, the Division of Marketing and Communication redesigned all recruiting collaterals, digital outreach strategy, and cam pus pageantry. In the first year of our efforts AU reversed a three year trend in declining enrollment and has experienced sustained growth, averaging 2.7% each year from 2015 to 2019.

• Successfully managed a number of high profile crisis communication situations. • Redesigned the suite of alumni communications, improving alumni engagement

during a very difficult period following consolidation and two name changes. • Supporting institutional advancement’s IGIVE annual fundraising

campaign, increasing the campaign’s result by an average of 3% each


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year since 2017. • Creating stewardship material and leading the process of creating material

for upcoming comprehensive campaign which will include scholarships, endowed faculty positions and additional resources for the MCG 3+ program.

• Completed an RFP for Dining Services.

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 • 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


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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.

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 to the President and Chancellor, 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.


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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 • 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


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• 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

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


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• 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 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


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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 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


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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 (2020, June) Accountability in the Workplace. Training for Augusta University Office of Leadership Development

Leeper, Karla (2020, May) Crucial Conversations. Presentation to the Augusta Young

Professionals. Leeper, Karla. (2020, May) Personal Branding. Training for Augusta University Office

of Leadership Development. 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.

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.


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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

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


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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 American Heart Association Board Member, 2020-2022 Council on the Advancement and Support of Education Circle of 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


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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

Phi Kappa Phi, Academic Honor Society, 2020-present Hull College of Business, Top Student Award, 2019 Beta Gamma Sigma Business Academic Honor Society, 2019-present


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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


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DR. KARLA K. LEEPER Executive Vice President for ... · KARLA K. LEEPER Executive Vice President...

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