St. Joseph, Mo. —Dec. 15, 2014—A longtime professor and administrator at Truman State University has accepted the position of associate provost of research, planning and institutional effectiveness at Missouri Western State University. Dr. Douglas Davenport will begin his duties Jan. 5.

“I am excited about the many strengths and the enthusiasm Dr. Davenport will bring to this position,” said Dr. Jeanne Daffron, provost and vice-president for academic affairs. “He has provided institutional leadership for strategic planning and assessment, for institutional regional accreditation and for the development of internal and external collaborative relationships, experiences that will be a tremendous asset for Missouri Western.”

“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to join the Missouri Western community,” Dr. Davenport said. “This university has a strong track record for innovation and effective advancement of Missouri public higher education and I look forward to serving Missouri Western in the days ahead.”

The associate provost assists the Division of Academic Affairs and the university in the areas of accreditation, strategic planning, applied learning, research, grant management and strategic partnerships.

Dr. Davenport is currently chair of the Department of Justice Systems at Truman State. He previously served as dean of the School of Social and Cultural Studies and interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the Division of Social Science. He chaired Truman’s Higher Learning Commission Leadership Team, co-chaired a Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, and led several other accreditation and assessment efforts.

Dr. Davenport earned a Bachelor of Arts from Central Bible College (now Evangel University) in Springfield, Mo., and a Master of Public Administration and Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from Texas Tech University.