Interviews Set for AVP Position

Oklahoma Panhandle State University has named four finalists for the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs position. This position was opened internally on June 22. Under the direction of the Provost, this position works in all aspects of Academic Support to improve faculty and student experiences. Interviews will begin on July 9.

The finalists for the position are:

Dr. Jared Bates, Department Head/Assistant Professor of Animal Science

Dr. Brad Duren, Dean of the College of Arts and Education, Professor of History

Ms. Charla Lewis, Director of Music Education, Director of Instrumental Music, Department Chair of Music, Assistant Professor

Dr. Patrick Maille, Department Chair for Behavior and Social Sciences, Professor of History

Dr. Jared Bates, Department Head/Assistant Professor of Animal Science

Dr. Jared Bates is originally from Tecumseh, Oklahoma, and has taught at Oklahoma Panhandle State University for one year. He is an Assistant Professor of Animal Science and currently serves as the Department Head.

Dr. Bates received a Bachelor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Oklahoma State University, a Masters, and a Doctorate in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska. He currently holds an Oklahoma Teacher Certification in Chemistry, Biology, Math, and an Administrator credential for Secondary Principal and Superintendent. He is currently working towards an MBA from Oklahoma State University.

Before coming to OPSU, Dr. Bates worked in Workforce Development. He worked for ten years in the CareerTech System. He was involved with the CareerTech Accreditation Process, overseeing the instructional framework, and supervising the implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, the Carl Perkins Act of 2006, and serving as the State Director of Adult Basic Education in Oklahoma.

Since joining the OPSU Agricultural Department, Dr. Bates has found that our people and way of life are what he likes best. “There is a spirit within employees and the community that embraces individuals from all walks of life, with staff ready to help and assist any individual. I’ve witnessed numerous individuals going above and beyond to help others, and there is a drive and determination from many individuals to continue to make the university better.”

“This position would allow me to use a wide array of education, experience, and knowledge that I possess in serving this institution. The Oklahoma Panhandle is our family’s home now, and I would love nothing more to assist the university and the communities that we serve in continuing to grow and thrive,” said Bates “I believe that I can be an integral asset and resource to this university as it continues to strengthen its strategic position. I have a broad range of experience in multiple fields that include agriculture, education, government, and other areas that provide me with a background to assist the university as it continues to move forward. One of my strengths has been building relationships with groups and other entities, and that is something that I can bring to the table. I am a firm believer in education as it benefits individuals to improve their livelihood and improves society as a whole.”

He is a fifth-generation Oklahoman that has deep roots in the agricultural industry. He and his wife, Liz, have been married for ten years and have a three-year-old daughter.

Dr. Brad Duren, Dean of the College of Arts and Education, Professor of History

A native of Duncan, Oklahoma, Dr. Brad Duren has served at Oklahoma Panhandle State University for 21 years. He currently serves as the Dean of the College of Arts and Education and a Professor of History.

Dr. Duren earned a Bachelor of Music from Oklahoma City University, a Bachelor of Applied Ministries from Oklahoma Missionary Baptist College, a Master of Arts from the University of Central Oklahoma, and a Doctorate of Philosophy from Oklahoma State University.

Before Panhandle State, he taught US History, Philosophy, and Humanities at Oklahoma Missionary Baptist College in the early 1990s before serving as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of History and Geography at the University of Central Oklahoma as a Master’s student. He taught three sections of freshman US History while serving as a Teaching Assistant during his Ph.D. work at Oklahoma State University from 1995 to 1999. He also served as an adjunct History professor at Redlands Community College, the University of Central Oklahoma, and Rose State College.

During his time at OPSU, Dr. Duren has set himself apart as one of our many distinguished faculty members. He stated, “I love our emphasis on personal attention to students. The ability to get to know my students, work with them to achieve their goals, and watch them become successes both in their professional and personal lives is what it is all about. The students have always been why I do what I do. It is all about them.”

“Serving in this capacity will afford me the chance to play a greater role in the future of OPSU, its mission, and its service to students and our communities,” said Duren “With the many challenges facing higher education in general and smaller institutions specifically, I can bring to this position knowledge I have gained from my years of experience as an instructor, a department chair, and dean.”

He continued, “What is best for the students, faculty, and staff of OPSU must remain front and center whenever decisions are made. We have a great campus community, rife with talent at every level, and I want to help unleash that talent to help face the future. I have no doubt we can meet any challenge we face. Our people demonstrate it every day!”

He and his wife, Melissa, have four sons. They are the proud grandparents of one grandson and a granddaughter on the way.

Ms. Charla Lewis, Director of Music Education, Director of Instrumental Music, Department Chair of Music, Assistant Professor

Originally from Hugoton, Kansas, Charla Lewis has taught at Oklahoma Panhandle State University since 2013. She is the Department Chair of Music, Director of Instrumental Music, Director of Music Education, and an Assistant Professor.

Charla Lewis received a Bachelor of Music Education with a vocal emphasis and an instrumental endorsement from OPSU, a Master of Music Education from Emporia State University, and is currently working towards a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Bradley University.

Charla’s career after undergraduate school started at Forgan Public Schools, where she taught band. After this, she accepted the position at Goodwell Public Schools in the same capacity. Before teaching at Panhandle State, Charla taught band, choir, and other music and drama versions at Liberal Public Schools in Kansas.

Charla has always been excited to be a Panhandle State Aggie. “Everyone works hard to serve the students and be that support that they need while they are here. We watch out for each other and help the students stay on track. Even the students look out for one another! It’s a special place!”

Charla stated, “While I love my current position and working with music students, I would like to expand my horizons to serve a larger population and give back to the university that has served me well over the years.”

She continued, “Progress Through Knowledge” isn’t just our Mission Statement, but a way of life. I believe that one can see evidence of my long-term commitment to the university, and I don’t expect that to change no matter what role I fill. The values of Integrity, Inclusion, Excellence, Service, and Sustainability that OPSU instilled in me during my undergraduate years have stayed with me all of my life, and I’d like to practice them as Associate Vice President for Academics. These are long-term values that benefit society, and that’s what I love about OPSU.”

She is married to Lance Ferry, and they recently celebrated their 1st anniversary. Charla has a daughter as well as three granddaughters.

Dr. Patrick Maille, Professor of History, Department Chair for Behavior and Social Sciences

Born and raised in upstate New York, Dr. Patrick Maille has worked at Oklahoma Panhandle State University for 15 years. He is a Professor of History, Department Chair for Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the Faculty Athletics Representative.

Prior to OPSU, he worked as a Pharmacy Technician in Lubbock, Texas. While being a Pharmacy Technician, he decided to start his college career. After deciding to pursue major in history, Dr. Maille set his sights on earning his Bachelor’s and to continue to graduate school.

Dr. Maille earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, a Master of Arts in History, and a Doctorate of History all from Texas Tech University. He was the first to graduate college in his family.

Since working at Panhandle State, Dr. Maille has seen many students grow and succeed in their professional fields. He stated, “After all, the success of the faculty and staff at OPSU is directly connected to the success of our graduates. It’s amazing to look at our seniors and then think back about how they were as freshmen. It’s even more amazing to see them take a place in the world where, like me, they can experience the luxury of getting to enter a profession you love while simultaneously helping others to better themselves, contributing something good to society, and continuing to grow.”

Dr. Maille stated, “I want to make sure that I am contributing to the well-being of my university. This will allow me to contribute more than I ever could from the closed comfort of the classroom.”

He continued, “I see my contribution in strengthening existing efforts that have proven successful over the last three or four years and helping to turn some of the more recent ideas into realities. There is much to build on and OPSU already has been laying the foundation for this sort of work. I believe my personal goals for this position align quite well with those currently being implemented. As those objectives come to fruition, I would begin to offer new ideas to keep the ball rolling in the same direction.”

Dr. Maille is a published author of a book that will appear on the shelves next Spring. It’s called The Cards: The Evolution and Power of Tarot. He and his wife, Bonnie, have two children.