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As provost, Spaulding will serve under the direction of President Dr. Dan Martin, leading institutional efforts in pursuit of academic excellence and the University’s mission. The provost serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and, in the absence of the president, assumes the responsibilities of chief executive officer.

"The nature and demands of the University Plan detailing MVNU’s guiding philosophy and holistic focus of its academic and student experience, necessitate the role of provost,” explained President Dr. Dan Martin. “Given this, the provost, beyond leading academic planning, programming and operations, will serve as the operational leader and provide oversight and coordination of Campus Ministries, Student Development and Enrollment Management. Spaulding is a gifted professor, highly respected scholar and experienced administrator, which makes him perfect for this critical position.”

Other activities for which the provost is responsible include providing a vision for leadership, operational and strategic planning for the academic enterprise; all undergraduate and graduate operations related to curriculum, faculty, instructional programs, educational policy, and development of innovative and effective pedagogical methods and skills; and academic resourcing.

"Assuming the role of provost is a great privilege which I take with upmost seriousness. The combination of academic leadership in partnership with spiritual/student development and enrollment management presents a real opportunity for me to practice theology,” Spaulding commented. “Mount Vernon Nazarene University is an exciting place to be, especially in light of the privilege of working with President Martin to fashion a vision for Christian excellence.”

Serving as the vice president for Academic Affairs at MVNU since May 2009, Spaulding previously served as director of the Master of Divinity program and professor of philosophical theology and Christian ethics at Nazarene Theological Seminary (Mo.). He has also taught at Trevecca Nazarene University (Tenn.) and Eastern Nazarene College (Mass.)

Spaulding holds a B.A. in religion and history from Trevecca in 1974, a M.Div. from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1977 and a Ph.D. in religion studies/humanities from Florida State University in 1982. He is married to Sharon, a second-grade teacher. They have three children: Shelly (32), Megan (24) and Hank (22).

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students and working adults. U.S. News & World Report ranks MVNU in the top 50 Best in the Midwest (Baccalaureate) institutions for the sixth year in a row. With a 400-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and eight additional satellite Adult and Graduate Studies sites throughout the state, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education to more than 2,600 students from 25 states and eight countries/U.S. territories.