- Enjoy participating in fitness activities for overall physical and mental well-being
- Getting involved in local advocacy groups to promote positive change in the community
- Participating in fundraising events to support local charities, schools, or community projects
- Music
- Tech enthusiast, passionate about exploring the latest advancements and innovations
Open To Work
Fletcher Lamkin
Jefferson City,MO
Work Preference
Summary
Dynamic executive professional with a proven track record of driving organizational success through strategic planning and operational excellence. Expertise in fostering a collaborative work environment that enhances team performance and innovation. Recognized for reliability and adaptability in achieving business objectives while effectively leading diverse teams to exceed targets. Committed to leveraging extensive experience to deliver impactful results and propel organizational growth.
Overview
61
61
years of professional experience
Work History
President
Clarke University
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Chief Executive and Administrative Officer for the Board of Trustees. Executed directly or by delegation, all executive and administrative duties in connection with the operation of the College. Supervised 79 faculty, and 150 staff, with 34 majors, 34 minors, and a wide array of integrated experiential learning opportunities.
- Clarke University is a BVM Catholic institution that was founded in 1843 by the Blessed Sisters of the Virgin Mary, A small, private college of about 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the university provides a quality, liberal arts education to domestic and international students, which builds character and intellect for leadership in the 21st Century.
- Facilitated a session with the college leadership team, staff, and faculty to build trust and establish a high performing organization.
- Vastly improved communication throughout the university and its constituents.
- Led the formulation of a rightsizing plan to reduce the annual budget by $3 million.
- Worked with another university to pave the way for a merger to secure the University’s future.
- Raised over $6 million in the current FY through October.
Consultant
CampusWorks
01.2020 - 01.2023
- As a member of a CampusWorks team, provide research, data, strategic advice, and support to improve the strategic operation of a college, university, or higher education system.
- Since 1999, CampusWorks has been collaborating with colleges and universities to develop and implement insightful strategies that improve institutional effectiveness and enhance the student experience.
- Consulted with a college in Wyoming to improve their enrollments, academic delivery, financial management, and relevancy to the community.
- Recently worked with team of CampusWorks experts to improve the strategic operations of the North Carolina Community College System Office.
- Facilitated the development of the strategic plan for a college in New Mexico.
President
Westminster College
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Chief Executive and Administrative Officer for the Board of Trustees. Executed directly or by delegation, all executive and administrative duties in connection with the operation of the College. Supervised 45 faculty, and 120 staff, with 33 majors, 34 minors, 12 pre-professional programs, and a wide array of integrated experiential learning opportunities.
- A liberal arts college of about 1,000 students, which is internationally known for being the site of Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech in 1946. The College is located in Fulton, MO, a city of 12,000.
- Re-hired as president in 2017 to lead efforts to save the College from closing. After three years, mission accomplished! The College has corrected its deficiencies, recovered financially, and revived the support and confidence of its constituencies.
- Developed and implemented strategic plans to address shortcomings in fiscal management, academic programming, enrollment management, student retention, faculty and staff retention, endowment management, Alumni and Board relations, marketing and communications, and facilities maintenance and development.
- Successfully developed and led a two-year program of across-the-board reforms in the College such that the accreditation-threatening sanctions imposed by HLC were removed in 2019 after a successful Team visit, Commission interview, and executive review.
- Achieved three consecutive “squeaky-clean” audits after the previous administration had received four major deficiencies on its previous audit.
- Built hope and confidence in faculty, staff, and alumni where it had been completely devastated.
- Stabilized faculty retention after inheriting a situation with 1/3 of the faculty leaving, largely because they felt the institution would close.
- Total giving for 19-20 academic year exceeded $8 million, with about $1.5 million in unrestricted gifts.
- Restored the College to financial stability and health with prospects for a flourishing future.
- Improved student retention by six percent.
- Instituted technological improvements for data management, wireless communications, and classroom modification, to include initiation of the 1:1 program where faculty and students were all equipped with an iPad and the appropriate software and training to enhance in-class and online instruction. These improvements allowed us to seamlessly convert to remote, online instruction when the Coronavirus crisis necessitated it.
- Through good planning, effective communications, and wise, timely decision-making, the College weathered the Coronavirus crisis with just two reported cases on campus, delivered the last six weeks of the academic program online after sending students home, provided timely refunds for student room and board, implemented an in-person graduation ceremony in August, and developed effective plans for the provision of a rich student experience and the safe, secure reopening of the campus in the fall.
- Despite the Coronavirus crisis, our new enrollments improved by 25% while retention of existing students held steady.
- In short, planned and led a complete turnaround for a College that was about to close, paving the way for a bright and successful future.
President
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Chief Executive and Administrative Officer for the Board of Governors and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System. Execute directly or by delegation all executive and administrative duties in connection with the operation of the University. Supervise about 90 fulltime faculty, 180 adjunct professors, and 150 staff.
- West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a regional college of approximately 3,000 students providing a rich array of programs in humanities, health sciences, business, education, and science and technology to prepare students for the workforce and citizenship demands of the future. Engaging a seven-county region of approximately 200,000 people, the college offers a bachelor’s degree and an associate degrees and certificates. The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has national accreditation for business, education, and nursing programs.
- Complete reorganization and development of Strategic Plan and Master Plan for the institution.
- Successful accreditation of nursing program.
- Establishment of a “one-stop shop” for complete student services as well as a “hub” on the website at which students can get online information on all services available to aid their path to success.
- Complete restructuring of purchasing, fiscal management, and budgeting process. Quality and effectiveness verified by two “squeaky clean” annual audits.
- Dramatic improvement in Academic Program. Realignment and restructuring of General Education and major’s programs to provide efficient, obstacle-free pathways to graduation and easy transferability of credits to other universities. Institution of Blackboard Analytics and DegreeWorks to monitor, track, and manage student progress. Implementation of reformed faculty evaluation system and quality management system to ensure highest quality student experience.
- Full implementation of Guided Pathways for Success, providing students with structured programs that permit them to complete their degrees in less time, with less cost, and with fewer wasted credits.
- Operated with a surplus budget. Added over $1million to cash reserves in AY 15-16, despite 4% cut in state appropriations. AY 2017-2018 budget was on track with over $200,000 in contingency, despite having one of the lowest tuitions in West Virginia and a 2% mid-year cut in state appropriations.
- Represented the College and built strong relationships with legislators, community, local hospital, Board of Governors, West Virginia University, and State agencies.
Consultant in Strategic Management
CampusWorks
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Responsible for providing recommendations for improving the strategic effectiveness of colleges/universities who engage our company.
- CampusWorks’ mission is to improve society by making higher education accessible to everyone. We do this by helping our clients transform their organizations, leverage their resources, or step up their results. The Higher View Group and K-D Consultants are consulting firms that provide important strategic management services to colleges and universities that seek assistance in becoming excellently managed organizations. Services include staff training and education, enrollments and retention management, information management, and financial projection using a unique computer model.
- Consulted with St. Louis Community College to improve their strategic management.
- Built exceptionally effective, interactive model that accurately predicts trends and delivers graphic displays that depict important and insightful information.
- Developed and implemented marketing plan to engage over 100 potential clients.
- Built informative website with relevant content.
- Engaged first client with three successful simulation seminar implementations.
- Developed a highly informative dashboard for strategic management.
President
Kansas Wesleyan University
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Chief Executive and Administrative Officer for the Board of Trustees. Executed directly or by delegation all executive and administrative duties in connection with the operation of the University. Supervised about 40 faculty and 150 employees with twenty-five undergraduate majors and one graduate program, and 20 NAIA sports for men and women. Key programs at KWU include nursing, teacher education, athletic training and emergency management.
- Kansas Wesleyan University is a Methodist-affiliated, liberal arts university of about 900 students located in Salina, Ks, a city of about 50,000.
- Operated the university at a $140,000 surplus with clean audits.
- Grew enrollments by 7%.
- Dramatically improved campus appearance and efficiency of operations.
- Led the university through a period of dramatic improvement in policy, organization, and operations that focused on student success and satisfaction.
- With the consent of Board Leadership, implemented an extraordinary number of significant initiatives in a two-year period, including:
- Complete restructuring of University development office;
- Hired many new key personal, including the Provost, the Athletic Director, several Coaches, a director (Ph.D.) to lead our nursing program, and new VP’s in Advancement, Student Life, and Admissions;
- Vastly improved new student orientation;
- Initiated a first-year seminar and integrated first-year experience;
- Initiated an early warning system for struggling students;
- Led the development and implementation of a student success center;
- Led the development and implementation of a center for teaching and learning;
- Restructuring to a new student support office with major changes to financial aid administration;
- Established robust wireless communications throughout campus;
- Implemented major improvements to the maintenance and appearance of the campus, including: a refurbished performance auditorium, beautification of the grounds, design and raising 1/3 of the funds for new stadium project that had been languishing for years, and placing the director of facilities directly under the President to ensure better student support;
- New food service contract;
- Establishment of new partnerships in the community including a significant partnership with the Eisenhower Library to generate student internships and faculty research as well as to better serve the community;
- Restructuring of Homecoming to include student-oriented activities;
- Restructuring of alumni from a single chapter in Salina to a national organization with multiple chapters and 40% increase in numbers;
- Expanded distant/online learning offerings;
- Development of a new strategic plan.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Dominican University of CA
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Responsible for all aspects of university advancement, to include annual fund, capital campaigns, alumni relations, constituent development, corporate and foundations giving, planned giving, and all other activities related to building the financial strength and constituent support of the university.
- Dominican University of California is a Catholic-affiliated university of about 2200 graduate and undergraduate students in 50 graduate and undergraduate programs and 10 NCAA Div. II Sports, operating with campuses in San Rafael, San Francisco, and Ukiah.
- Despite the existing economic crisis, total annual giving exceeded the previous year’s total giving by more than 10%, raising more than $3 million in comprehensive giving and successfully concluding a $6 million campaign for a new chapel facility.
- Reorganized the Advancement Division, implemented new training and development programs for personnel, initiated innovative programs for alumni engagement, laid the foundation for sustainable success in implementing campaigns.
- Played a key role in University master planning and strategic budgetary management, and chaired search committee for athletic director.
President
Westminster College
01.2000 - 01.2007
- Chief Executive and Administrative Officer for the Board of Trustees. Executed directly or by delegation, all executive and administrative duties in connection with the operation of the University. Supervised 55 faculty, and 150 staff, with 36 majors, 34 minors, 12 pre-professional programs, and a wide array of integrated experiential learning opportunities.
- A liberal arts college of about 1,000 students, which is internationally known for being the site of Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech in 1946. The College is located in Fulton, MO, a city of 12,000.
- Developed and implemented a dramatically improved strategic vision and mission.
- Inspired the staunch support of Board, alumni, and the local community.
- Transformed college from one about to go under to one poised for enduring success.
- Always executed budget within Board of Trustee’s guidance.
- Provided exceptional resources and staffing for curricular and extracurricular programs.
- Received clean audit reports for seven consecutive years.
- Produced more than 40% growth in enrollments and five consecutive years of record enrollments during 2002-2007.
- Grew endowment from a low of $27 million to over $50 million.
- Successfully completed an $80 million capital campaign (at a college that had never raised more $10 million).
- Improved alumni giving from 17% to 37%.
- Oversaw $35 million in new construction for the campus, including classroom technology, wireless internet, new dormitory, new science building, new fraternity house, new student apartment complex, new dining hall, renovation and improvement of student living areas, lights for athletic fields, resurfaced tennis courts, irrigation system for campus, and more…
- Personally cultivated, solicited and received $30,250,000 from a single foundation.
- Received $1.5 million in federal support for a Center for Leadership and Service, which led to Westminster’s being named to the President’s Higher Education Service Award for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, civic engagement and community service.
- Combined federal and private funds to build a new $18 million science center.
- Raised $4 million to fund the renovation of the Churchill Memorial.
- Achieved marked improvement in the level of student support and satisfaction reflected by dramatic rise in freshman-to-sophomore retention from less than 70% to 83%.
- Improved six-year graduation rate from 47% to about 65%.
- Achieved top ten percent ratings in NSSE categories of student-faculty interaction, active and collaborative leaning, and enriching educational experiences.
- Presided over dramatic increases in student diversity and internationalization, more than doubling the percentages of students in both categories such that the current campus enrollments include about 10% domestic minority and 13% international students…from more than 60 countries.
- In 2007, Forbes rated Westminster College in the top 50 of its best colleges and university ratings (#39), the only institution in Missouri to receive this honor.
Dean of the Academic Board
U.S. Military Academy, West Point
01.1995 - 01.2000
- Overall responsibility for West Point’s Academic program, including administration of approximately 550 faculty, 200 staff, 14 departments, and 40 academic majors. Oversaw accreditation with Middle States, curriculum development, library, master planning, NCAA Division I Athletic Program, academic strategic planning, academic research, management of $20 million budget (not including military payroll), resource development, and personnel management. Was assistant coach and officer representative of women’s and men’s tennis teams.
- A residential, higher educational institution of 4200 students, West Point provides a superb four-year, liberal arts education in a multifaceted, seamless experience that focuses on the leader development of students in the academic, military, and physical domains, all underwritten by adherence to a code of honor. Recent accolades include Forbes.com pronouncing West Point as the Best Public College or University in America for undergraduate education, U.S. News and World Report calling it the Best Public Liberal Arts College in the country, and the Princeton Review designating the Academy as one of the nation’s best undergraduate liberal arts education.
- Designed and implemented a flexible but structured academic program, wherein the goals and processes were clearly defined and connected to curricular and co-curricular activities, permitting assessment at all levels.
- Achieved productive and successful institutional accreditation by Middle States and six engineering programs by ABET.
- Received approval for preliminary design and construction of $50 million library.
- Led the nation in Rhodes Scholars in 2000.
- Worked with Department of the Army (DA) and the Dean’s Staff to develop the policy and structure for military faculty that allowed their academic schooling and subsequent assignment to West Point, while still retaining opportunity for military schooling and promotion. System was highly effective, achieved our goals, and became a model for the Army in managing specialty fields.
- Organized research under a Director of Research on the Dean’s Staff. Placed added emphasis on research and contribution to the Army’s mission. Successfully led an effort to connect each academic department with one or more DoD or DA agencies.
- Quadrupled quantity of research and improved relationships with the Army Community. These efforts have continued since my departure, creating a strong and vibrant assemblage of research centers and endowed chairs at West Point.
- Through the collaborative efforts of the faculty and our constituencies, we developed a program for “Educating Army Leaders for the 21st Century,” which laid out our academic goals, their meaning, what it meant to our graduates, and what curricular and extracurricular experiences our students should have to achieve our goals. Once this concept was created, we developed metrics to assess the academic program at every level to identify strengths and areas of improvement. Our assessment even included surveys of recent graduates and their bosses. Results of the assessment were used to constantly improve our programs.
- Significant leader and spokesperson in fund-raising activities for the Association of Graduates’ capital campaign that raised a record $220 million; for planning and execution of the 200th anniversary bicentennial celebration; and for communication with alumni, trustees, members of the Board of Visitors, and the Secretary of the Army.
- As Dean at West Point, I was ultimately responsible for the implementation of Department of the Army policy requiring a transition from a faculty structure that was 5% civilian and 95% military to one that was 22% civilian and 78% military. As part of the civilianization process at West Point, I oversaw the hiring process of civilian professors and authored the faculty manual, which articulated the principles of shared governance under which we would operate. It also clearly addressed the cherished value of academic freedom. The result was:
- A smooth transition to 22% civilian faculty through the development of appropriate policies, exceptionally good recruiting, and a lot of arduous work.
- The governance structure we put on place is still effective today.
- We resourced a Center for Enhanced Performance, which provided reading and study skills, military skill development, motivational coaching, and physical skill enhancement. Through the efforts of this center, we boosted the performance of hundreds of students, enabling them not only to meet standards but also to achieve excellence in academic, military, and physical endeavors.
- As Athletic Committee Chairman, oversaw successful NCAA Division I athletic program, which operated with balanced budget and spotless compliance record.
- As Chair of the Master Planning Committee, oversaw the development of many new improvements to West Point Campus, including refurbishment of buildings, major addition to Michie Stadium Complex, improved roads and housing, and improvement of athletic fields and facilities.
- Oversaw activities of Advanced Technology Classroom Laboratory, which developed and implemented major technological advances to classroom learning.
Professor
U.S. Military Academy, West Point
01.1987 - 01.1995
- Academic career at West Point included academic rank progressing to full professor, with responsibilities as instructor, course director, program director, and Head of Civil and Mechanical Engineering Department (responsible for about 10 staff and 50 faculty in designing, resourcing and directing programs in Civil, Mechanical, and Aero engineering and Computer Aided Design). Taught and directed courses in Solid Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Experimentation in Fluid Mechanics, Strength of Materials, Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Design, and Computer-aided Design.
- Same as above
- Chaired Committee for Successful Middle States accreditation
- Oversaw 3 successful ABET accreditations (Aero, Mechanical, Civil Engineering).
- Co-authored in-house textbook in Mechanical Engineering Design.
- Restructured engineering curriculum to a much greater design and group project content.
- Established relationships with agencies to secure funding support for Baja Vehicle, Sunracer, concrete canoe, and many other student design projects. West Point was a perennial, top performer in these events.
- As Curriculum Committee Chair, implemented efficiencies and improvements to academic program.
Career Army Officer
U.S. Army
01.1964 - 01.2000
- Served on continuous active duty from West Point graduation until retirement as a Brigadier General in 2000. Commissioned in the Field Artillery, troop assignments included battery command in Vietnam; company command at Fort Gordon, Georgia; battalion operations officer in Korea; battalion executive officer and Division operations officer for the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, WA; Inspector General for U.S. Army in Europe; and command of an artillery battalion in Germany. Military Schooling included graduation from U.S. Naval War College, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Field Artillery Advanced Course, Aerial Observer Course, Airborne School, and Ranger School.
- Promoted below the zone to Major and Colonel (top 2%).
- Promoted to Brigadier General, a rank achieved by less than 1/10th of a percent of Army personnel.
- Educated in organizational behavior and management, strategic planning and global perspective at the U.S. Naval War College, the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College and the Field Artillery Advanced Course. Implemented these important skills as a battery commander in combat, battalion commander in Germany, battalion operations officer in Korea, and brigade operations officer and division operations officer in a rapid deployment force in the United States.
- Awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (Army’s highest peacetime award), Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (6 awards), Air Medal (5 awards), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, numerous service awards, and Airborne and Ranger qualification.
- Earned the honor of Distinguished Graduate and winner of the J.W. Mittendorf Award for Best Student Research at the U.S. Naval War College, where work included a highly innovative and creative war game for nuclear arms reduction that became a part of the Naval War College curriculum.
Education
Master's Degree - National Security
Salve Regina College
Doctor of Philosophy - undefined
University of Washington
01.1986
undefined
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
01.1975
Master of Science - undefined
University of California, Berkeley
01.1971
Bachelor of Science - undefined
U.S. Military Academy at West Point
01.1964
Skills
- Organizational Leadership
- Strategic Planning and Implementation
- Student Success and Retention
- Financial Management
- Enrollment Management
- Collaboration
- Partnership Development and Community Building
- Political savvy/respect
- Communication with Diverse Audiences
- Fundraising and Resource Generation
Accomplishments
- Supervised a team of staff, faculty, and trustees to achieved a pathway to long term success through effectively building relationships with like institutions and developing detailed plans for an effective merger.
- .Dramatically improved operational efficiency and budget reduction of over $3million.
- Righted te ship of a university about to fold.
Interests
Work Availability
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Timeline
President
Clarke University
01.2023 - 01.2025
Consultant
CampusWorks
01.2020 - 01.2023
President
Westminster College
01.2017 - 01.2020
President
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
01.2014 - 01.2017
Consultant in Strategic Management
CampusWorks
01.2012 - 01.2014
President
Kansas Wesleyan University
01.2010 - 01.2012
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Dominican University of CA
01.2008 - 01.2009
President
Westminster College
01.2000 - 01.2007
Dean of the Academic Board
U.S. Military Academy, West Point
01.1995 - 01.2000
Professor
U.S. Military Academy, West Point
01.1987 - 01.1995
Doctor of Philosophy - undefined
University of Washington
undefined
U.S. Army Command and General Staff College
Master of Science - undefined
University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor of Science - undefined
U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Master's Degree - National Security
Salve Regina College
Career Army Officer
U.S. Army
01.1964 - 01.2000