After nearly a year on the job as Metropolitan State University of Denver’s provost, Matt Makley, Ph.D., says the path forward is rooted in a single overarching priority: student success.
Since stepping into the role as interim provost last January and then accepting the permanent role in April, Makley has focused on strengthening MSU Denver’s academic enterprise through clearer structures, improved collaboration and a more strategic approach to resource management.
His goal: create a more transparent, solutions-oriented culture that empowers people to do their best work on behalf of students. That will lead to better student outcomes, including retention and completion rates, he said.
“Everything we do — academic excellence, supporting our faculty and staff, and building a collaborative culture that truly works — all of that feeds student success,” Makley said. “That has to remain the foundation.”
Building capacity
Makley said that shortly after his tenure began, it became clear that Academic Affairs needed more strategic capacity and a more integrated leadership structure to better steward the branch’s budget and strengthen the University’s long-term financial health.
The Academic Affairs budget constitutes half of the University’s operational budget.
To build the capacity needed for strategic planning, transparent resource allocation and unit support, Makley has refined leadership structure — largely by elevating existing roles or consolidating portfolios and more intentionally aligning responsibilities.
“We’re not creating a new range of positions,” Makley said. “We’re consolidating work that already existed so we can function more strategically and support our schools, colleges and students more effectively.”
Strengthening support for schools and colleges
Academic Affairs’ new leadership structure strengthens direct support for schools and colleges by providing clearer points of contact, more consistent communication, better alignment and a more collaborative approach to strategic planning and budgeting, said Terry Bower, who was recently named Academic Affairs’ chief strategy officer.
Bower, who previously served as associate vice president of Innovative and Lifelong Learning, will continue to oversee the I&LL portfolio, while leading the implementation of the University’s Academic Affairs priorities. That includes working closely with Kaycee Gerhart, vice president of Strategy and External Affairs, to ensure academic priorities align with and support the University’s strategic plan.
“The aim is to help Academic Affairs operate more strategically and position the University to be future-ready and responsive to emerging needs,” Bower said.
“By strengthening support for faculty, staff and students, reducing administrative barriers, and aligning expertise across the University, we can accelerate innovation and ensure long-term institutional success.”
In addition to Bower’s recent promotion, Makley named Shaun Schafer, Ph.D., vice provost for Academic Affairs last summer. Schafer previously served as associate vice president for Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development. Like Bower, Schafer will also oversee his previous portfolio while expanding his scope to include a broad range of responsibilities related to budget, instructional spaces, curriculum, personnel and key strategic initiatives.
“Academic Affairs is focused on a student-centered, forward-thinking academic culture that supports great teaching, meaningful learning and ultimately student success,” Schafer said.
Recent leadership changes in the Office of the Provost
Shaun Schafer, vice provost for Academic Affairs — summer 2025
Formerly associate vice president for Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development. Continues to lead that portfolio while providing high-level strategic leadership across academic operations. Principle among these operations are curriculum, personnel, budget and instructional facilities, along with retention and graduation initiatives.
Terry Bower, Academic Affairs chief strategy officer — fall 2025
Former associate vice president for Innovative and Lifelong Learning. Bower maintains the I&LL portfolio while co-leading major strategic initiatives in coordination with vice president of Strategy and External Affairs Kaycee Gerhart. Bower’s role will help orient Academic Affairs to meet the rapidly changing terrain of higher education, including management of new federal rules related to Workforce Pell Grant availability and increasing accountability requirements.
Amy Middleton, executive director of Academic Affairs Budget and Strategy — fall 2025
Previously served as assistant dean for Enrollment and Operations in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Middleton’s role will provide unified strategic guidance on resource allocation, forecasting and financial planning across all Academic Affairs units, improving clarity, reducing duplication and supporting transparent, data-informed decisions that strengthen long-term sustainability and student success.
Jill Lange, chief of staff to the provost — fall 2025
Transitioned from executive assistant to the provost. Now serves as a strategic partner overseeing project management and operational alignment ensuring efficiency and integration of Academic Affairs priorities. This role will ensure the timely advancement of strategic priorities by organizing ideas, projects, people, time and resources.
