University Leadership
Kathrine Swanson, Ed.D.
Interim President
(816) 584-6205
kathrine.swanson@park.edu
Park University’s Board of Trustees appointed Kathrine Swanson, Ed.D., to serve as the University’s interim president, effective April 23, 2025.
A resident of Parkville, Swanson served as president of the Metropolitan Community College Longview Campus in Lee’s Summit, Mo., from August 2021 to August 2024. She also served MCC as its vice chancellor for student success and engagement from August 2015 to June 2023. Swanson joined MCC after having served as a higher education leader at Montgomery County (Pa.) Community College and Collin County (Texas) Community College (now known as Collin College). Prior to her work in community colleges, Swanson started her career in student services at Montana State University and Northern Arizona University. More »
Gayle Copeland, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Education and Health Professions
(816) 584-6244
gayle.copeland@park.edu
Gayle Copeland was appointed as dean of the College of Education and Health Professions in August 2023. Copeland is responsible for the curricular, personnel, budgetary and administrative affairs of the CEHP in alignment with the University’s mission and strategic priorities. More »
Scott Fergerson
Chief Financial Officer
(816) 584-6352
scott.fergerson@park.edu
Scott Fergerson was appointed chief financial officer in 2025. Fergerson oversees the financial, accounting and administrative operations of the University, including strategic delivery. He is responsible for all fiscal services, including financial systems, reporting and controls, as well as fiscal policies and regulations. In addition, Fergerson is responsible for ensuring the University has requisite financial resources, including cash management and borrowing agreements. Fergerson, who joined Park in November 2016 as controller, previously served as Park University’s associate vice president of finance and controller since July 2021.
Fergerson has a unique portfolio of nonprofit, corporate and athletic experience. Prior to joining Park, the majority of his career was spent in public accounting as an auditor at RSM US LLP and BKD LLP focusing on manufacturing, distribution and financial service companies. Before entering the public accounting field, Fergerson was a track and field coach and assistant football coach at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College. Fergerson earned a Master of Science degree in accounting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Bachelor of Arts degree in international business from Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo.
Melissa Ford Molloy
Vice President of Advancement, Marketing and Communications
(816) 584-2135
melissa.molloy@park.edu
Melissa Ford Molloy was appointed vice president of advancement, marketing and communications in August 2025, after having served as chief advancement officer since December 2023. In her role, Molloy is charged with developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies that support the University’s mission and goals. She is responsible for growing the advancement program through annual giving, alumni relations, corporate and foundation relations, capital campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, stewardship, advancement services and special events. Ford also works with the University’s Board of Trustees and the Park University International Center for Music Foundation Board to further strengthen philanthropic support in support of faculty and student endeavors with an established, successful advancement team. More »
Michelle Myers, Ed.D.
Provost
(816) 584-6445
michelle.myers@park.edu
Michelle (Shellie) Myers, Ed.D., was appointed provost of Park University in October 2018. She had served as dean of the University’s College of Education and Health Professions since joining Park in July 2010. Prior to joining Park, Myers served administrative stints as associate dean, assistant dean and acting assistant dean in the Division of Education at Queens College, the City University of New York, as well as interim associate dean of the College of Education and Human Services at the University of Central Missouri. More »
–>
James Nelson
Chief Information Officer
james.nelson@park.edu
James Nelson was appointed chief information officer at Park University in December 2024. In this role, he provides strategic leadership for the University’s technology portfolio, including infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, software development and project management. More »
Paul Orscheln, Ed.D.
Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services
(816) 584-6348
paul.orscheln@park.edu
Paul Orscheln, Ed.D., has been appointed to the role of vice president of enrollment and student services at Park University, effective March 3, 2025.
As VPESS, Orscheln will provide strategic and operational leadership to a department that includes enrollment and student services, international student admissions and services, student financial services, marketing, campus center operations and athletics. His main responsibilities will be directing recruitment efforts according to the University’s strategic direction and mission; working closely with colleagues on overarching University policies and procedures, including institutional financial strategy and the student educational cycle from enrollment through graduation; and addressing issues of access, affordability, college readiness and the K-16 pipeline, and student success. More »
Emily D. Sallee, Ph.D.
Acting Provost and Professor of English
(816) 584-6779
emily.sallee@park.edu
Emily D. Sallee, Ph.D., is acting provost and a professor of English at Park University. Sallee joined the University as a faculty member in 2005.
Sallee has held a variety of leadership positions at the University, including dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages, program coordinator for First-Year Writing and director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. She was appointed associate provost in 2016 and vice provost in 2022. More »
Jayme Uden, Ed.D.
Chief Human Resources Officer
(816) 584-6595
jayme.uden@park.edu
Jayme Uden was appointed as the chief human resources officer in March 2024. Uden, who has been with Park University since July 2011 in a variety of student life positions, oversees human resources strategies covering talent management, employee relations, training and development, performance improvement, compensation and benefits, organizational development, HR information systems and appropriate regulatory compliance. He also serves as the University’s Title IX officer. More »