Dr. Melik Peter Khoury has been named executive vice president and chief academic officer for Unity College.

The appointment by college President Dr. Stephen Mulkey, effective May 16, gives Khoury academic and operational responsibility for the college, which Mulkey said “is at a crucial point in the realization of our strategic initiatives.”

“Times like these require focused and consistent leadership,” Mulkey said. “That’s why Dr. Khoury will add chief academic officer to his portfolio.

“Between his storehouse of talent and energy as executive vice president, and this staff and faculty’s commitment to our college and community, I am certain we will manage this transition successfully,” Mulkey said.

Mulkey said Khoury’s appointment “allows us to continue creating a new model for higher education, in which academic, operational and financial controls are more tightly integrated.”

“He brings a strong international perspective to Unity, with a focus on diversity and financial management, as well as academic acumen, within higher education,” Mulkey said.

“Having taught college-level courses for five years, I understand the workload well,” Khoury said. “I respect, value and seek out faculty input and have worked closely with faculty both as an academic body and as individuals on curriculum development, assessment, retention and other initiatives ranging from first-year-experience to launching an innovative academic program.”

Khoury, a first-generation American, holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maine and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Maine at Fort Kent.

“This new model President Mulkey created is going to allow me to focus on integrating the operational aspects of the institution within the academic fabric, to increase the value proposition of Unity College as we step out on the national stage,” Khoury said. “I’m very excited about having this unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Khoury has served in a number of senior management roles in educational institutions undergoing change, including Upper Iowa University, Culver Stockton College, Paul Smith’s College and several University of Maine postings. For more about Khoury’s background, click here.

“I am humbled by the encouragement and support I have received from members of the faculty and staff, and I’m looking forward to stewarding the continued focus on being student-centered, graduating tomorrow’s environmental leaders,” Khoury said.

“I’m confident in Dr. Khoury’s abilities as Unity maintains its trajectory toward academic excellence, unparalleled service to students and society, and a fiscally sound future,” Mulkey said. “Bringing the academic side and the operations side of the house under the purview of a single executive is a model that institutions of higher education are turning to increasingly, as they seek flexibility in funding for academic programs and more effectiveness in terms of operational support.”

Khoury brings direct experience in college-wide and program-specific accreditation teams including the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, The Higher Learning Commission, Academic Quality Improvement Program Steering Committee, and New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and has led and participated in numerous leadership committees at Unity, including academic review, academic counseling, faculty assembly, curriculum, academic affairs, first-year student experience, registration and advising.

“Dr. Khoury’s gifts as coach and mentor have enabled him to guide colleges and universities through complex restructuring, international expansion, strategic planning, master planning, and capital campaigns,” Mulkey said. “He also has streamlined operations to drive growth, implemented system-wide technology, and addressed issues relating to student enrollment, university-wide marketing, and business processes redesign.  This unique mix of skills and abilities make Unity’s new organizational design possible and effective.

“It’s his versatility and strong change management skills that make this move an obvious one,” Mulkey said.