New Executive Vice President For Strategic Initiatives
Posted: August 26, 2010
Craig Phelps, D.O., ’84
This new position will fill a growing void in the university’s structure and will allow ATSU to take advantage of opportunities for expanding its role beyond two campuses. President Magruder established this position in order to extend the president’s strategic leadership in Arizona and Missouri, as well as nationwide and globally.
What he brings to the position: Dr. Phelps has served as provost of the Arizona campus since 1998. In this post, he led the establishment and development of the Mesa campus from its inception into three schools and seven programs and an expanding health and technology park. He is also a national presence in sports medicine, including the NBA and WNBA. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University and his D.O. degree from ATSU-KCOM.
What’s new: The first provost of the Arizona campus, Dr. Phelps will assist the president in maintaining and improving presidential-level involvement in such matters as fund-raising opportunities, regular and important community visibility, and special attention to the growing prospect of opening additional campuses and overseeing other new initiatives. In short, Dr. Phelps will represent the university and the president, to whom he will report directly.
Goals for his first year and long term: Dr. Phelps will work closely with President Magruder and senior leadership on the development and implementation of ATSU’s Strategic Plan and strategic initiatives; reach out to the university’s many constituencies to better understand their needs and grow support for ATSU’s students, alumni, faculty, staff, and schools; and stay in touch with students, faculty, and graduates, who can help the university understand what it is doing right and how it can become a pre-eminent health sciences university.
Most memorable ATSU moment: “Arriving in Kirksville, Mo., to begin school and meeting wonderful students, faculty, staff, and community members, many of whom I continue to keep in touch with.”