Leadership moves

FACULTY & STAFF

LEADERSHIP MOVES 2022-23

As the academic year begins, there are new faces at TROY, along with familiar faces in new roles at the University.

DR. JOHN SCHMIDT returned to the University in late July to lead the Advancement and Economic Development Division as Interim Senior Vice Chancellor. He took the reins from Gen. Walter D. Givhan (USAF, ret.), who held the position since 2014. Dr. Schmidt, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel and combat veteran of the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm, retired after 20 years of service to TROY in 2014 before returning in 2019 to lead the Student Services and Administration Division, a role he had served previously. Dr. Schmidt also served as Senior Vice Chancellor for the Division of Advancement and External Relations at TROY.

DR. MICHAEL THRASHER was named Dean of TROY’s College of Communication and Fine Arts in July, filling the position left vacant by the retirement of Dr. Larry Blocher, who had served in the role since 2014. Dr. Thrasher comes to TROY from Florida State University, where he served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs & Director of Graduate Studies and Interim Dean of the College of Music.

DR. JOHN GARNER has been named Dean of the College of Health and Human Services after having served in the role on an interim basis since 2021. Prior to the interim role, Dr. Garner served as Associate Dean and Chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. He also previously served as the Interim Director of the School of Social Work and Human Services and is a tenured Professor of exercise science.

GREG KNEDLER took on the role of Associate Vice Chancellor for Development in February. Knedler came to TROY with more than 20 years of experience in development and higher education advancement, most recently as the Vice President for Class and Constituent Development at the Air Force Academy Foundation. In addition to his work with the Air Force Academy, Knedler also held positions at Georgia State University and Auburn University.

ALICIA BOOKOUT was named Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial Aid in June. Bookout is a veteran TROY administrator with experience in a variety of roles, most recently as Senior Director for Enrollment Services, Out-of-State Operations and Military and Veteran Affairs. She also held positions in Advancement and Athletics and has overseen recruitment and enrollment efforts of 11 recruiting and teaching support centers in the Southeast and Pacific region.

DR. ROBBYN TAYLOR (‘01, ‘13) was named Director of the Hall School of Journalism and Communication, filling the position left vacant by former Director Dr. Jeff Spurlock. Dr. Taylor, a two-time TROY alumna who also earned her Ph.D. in Communication at Regent University, previously served as Student Publications Adviser and lecturer in the strategic communication master’s program, the Ph.D. in Global Leadership program and various undergraduate courses.

VEDA Y. TAYLOR was recently named as the new Registrar at Troy University, filling the position left vacant by the retirement of Vickie Miles after 32 years of service to the University. Taylor brings to TROY nearly 20 years of experience in several areas of higher education administration, including registrar, admissions, financial aid and graduate school administration. She most recently served as Law Registrar for the University of Mississippi School of Law and previously served in positions at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis and the University of Memphis.

DR. CLIFFORD HUMPHREY began work in June as the Director of TROY’s Institute for Leadership Development. Dr. Humphrey filled the vacancy left by the retirement of Dr. John Kline. Originally from Warm Springs, Georgia, Dr. Humphrey earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He attended the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship at Hillsdale College. Most recently, he helped launch Thales College in Raleigh, North Carolina.

SCOT BRUMBELOE (‘17) was recently named as the Director of Military and Veterans Affairs, including oversight of the TROY for Troops Center. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Brumbeloe joined the Navy out of high school and served as Master-at-Arms, Petty Officer Third Class. A TROY alumnus, he was the founding president of the TROY Chapter of SALUTE National Honor Society. Brumbeloe served for three years as a Disaster Relief Mission Coordinator, helping victims of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Michael. He returned to TROY in 2021, working in Academic Services.

DR. JAVIER BOYAS was named as the new Director for the School of Social Work and Human Services. He most recently served as an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia’s School of Social Work, serving as the Director of the school’s Master of Social Work program. Dr. Boyas also previously held positions at the University of Mississippi and the University of Texas at Arlington.