OBU Names DeWoody as Vice President for Academic Affairs

August 7, 2018

Oklahoma Baptist University has announced the promotion of Dr. Susan DeWoody to the position of vice president for academic affairs. DeWoody was serving as dean of the Graduate College and interim VP for academic affairs.

Dr. David W. Whitlock, OBU president, is excited for DeWoody’s promotion to permanently fill the role.

“Following an extensive national search to fill the position of vice president for academic affairs, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Susan DeWoody to the position,” he said. “Having received a unanimous recommendation from the search committee and excellent feedback from each of the interview teams, it was clear Dr. DeWoody had earned the support of both faculty and staff.

“That the committee, after a national search, and interviewing wonderful candidates, has unanimously recommended one of our own colleagues is not surprising, given the way Dr. DeWoody has led our Graduate College and served as the interim chief academic officer. She is a strong and winsome leader who will bring to her new role wisdom, open communication and a natural ability to build bridges and work collaboratively. I’m looking forward to working with her to serve our students as we carry out our mission.”

DeWoody came to OBU in May 2017 as the dean of the Graduate College. She previously served as vice president and dean of the School of Adult and Graduate Studies at Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina. She also served as associate vice president for academic operations and dean of degree completion and non-traditional programs at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Prior to working at JBU, she held the position of Flower Mound Campus director at North Central Texas College in Gainesville, Texas.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in education from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas. She then earned a Master of Science in college student personnel services from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. In 2016, she earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Dallas Baptist University.

DeWoody is blessed and humbled by the opportunity.

“After serving fifteen months on Bison Hill as dean of the Graduate College, I am thrilled to accept the opportunity to serve the broader university through the role of vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer. I find it quite energizing to work alongside the world-class faculty and academic administrators at OBU in pursuit of the mission of transforming lives for the cause of Christ.”

Whitlock also expressed his appreciation to all faculty and staff who worked diligently during the search to fill this position.

“I am very grateful for the work of the search committee over the last four months as they have screened and interviewed scores of excellent candidates. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Will Smallwood [senior vice president for advancement and university relations] who chaired the committee and has done a wonderful job of coordinating their work.”

Smallwood was grateful for the time spent chairing the search committee and for their unanimous recommendation for DeWoody’s selection to the post.

“It was my pleasure to serve alongside the faculty and staff on the search committee over the last four months. I am grateful for the time, effort and energy that the committee members put into this important task. As we conducted our work and reviewed dozens of applicants from around the world, God continued to lead us back to Susan. The committee was impressed with her diverse academic leadership experience and her dedication to the mission of OBU. I am excited to see how her leadership will positively impact our students and faculty and to serve with her on the executive leadership team.”