EMPLOYEE PROFILE:

Name: Mike North

Title: Interim Vice President, Student Success and Enrollment Management

Major responsibilities: I’m responsible for a newly formed division that encompasses many of our College’s services (Student Success), enrollment and the site campuses. The office in which I serve is also charged with handling judicial affairs and our Commencement ceremonies. I continue to serve as an assistant dean at our Division Street Campus, too.

Length of service at the College: 15 years

Place of birth: Morehead, Kentucky

Family members: My wife of 15 years (Cindy); my father, who recently retired as vice president for Finance and Administration at Ohio University; my mother, who recently retired as dean for Career Services with Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering; and a brother who’s doing stand-up comedy and some acting and lives in Hollywood, California.

Something no one knows about you: I have the most comprehensive reggae collection in Knoxville.

Greatest achievement or proudest moment: It’s coming up—I’ll be watching my wife graduate from UT with honors this May (master’s degree in social work). I’ve learned a lot from her about what our own adult students experience; it will be great to see her finish. She’ll start doctoral work this fall. She never thought she’d go this far.

Favorite things outside work: Golf, cooking, home repair.

Most rewarding part of your job: Conveying to people in Student Success and the entire College that I am available to them and am here to serve. I learn more from listening and helping people do their work at all of the campuses. Ultimately, I think that helps our students—it’s the reason we’re all here.

Most influential person in your life and why: My parents. They both came from humble backgrounds. My father was a first-generation college student and coal miner’s son from Kentucky who rose to a high level of responsibility. I think highly of his work ethic and the values they each took to their careers about valuing people at all levels and never giving up on worthy goals you set for yourself.

Favorite quote: “Do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do.”