Dr. Kathrine Swanson
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 »
Yira Brimage
Park Gilbert, Vice President
(480) 923-0029
yira.brimage@park.edu
Yira Brimage was appointed vice president of Park University’s Gilbert Campus in November 2021. In her role as vice president, Brimage holds the top leadership position for the University’s Gilbert Campus and is responsible for leading the strategic growth and operations of the campus. Most recently, Brimage has been the principal and owner of Brimage Consulting in Tucson, Ariz., which specializes in working with educational, health care and small businesses to prepare their workforces with competency-based skill development. More »
LAURE A. CHRISTENSEN
Chief of Staff
(816) 584-6810
laure.christensen@park.edu
Laure Christensen serves Park University as chief of staff. In this capacity, she works closely with the president in a variety of ways, serving as an advisor and manager of administrative, operational and financial affairs. Christensen oversees reporting needs, organizes communications, coordinates special events with other departments and serves as the main administrative liaison between the Office of the President and multiple areas, including Executive Staff and Park’s Board of Trustees. Christensen also guides administrative professionals university-wide through the Park Pirate Professionals. 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
Chief Advancement Officer
(816) 584-2135
melissa.ford@park.edu
Melissa Ford was appointed as Park University’s chief advancement officer in December 2023. In her role as CAO, Ford 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 »
Adrian James
Interim Dean, College of Management
(816) 584-6213
adrian.james@park.edu
Adrian James was appointed as Park University’s interim dean for College of Management, effective May 1, 2025. Dr. James has been a Park faculty member since 2018. For the last several years she has served as Associate Dean for the College of Management. Dr. James will lead COM through discussions of academic reorganization and oversee two searches for open faculty lines currently in progress. 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 »
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 »
James Pasley, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
(816) 584-6480
james.pasley@park.edu
James Pasley was appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in May 2017 after having served in an interim role since August 2016. In this position, Pasley oversees innovative programs in the fine arts, the humanities, and the natural, applied and social sciences. Schools within CLAS include the Hauptmann School of Public Affairs, the School of Humanities and the School of Natural and Applied Sciences. More »
Emily D. Sallee, Ph.D.
Vice Provost and Professor of English
(816) 584-6779
emily.sallee@park.edu
Emily D. Sallee, Ph.D., is vice 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 »
Andrew Shoffner, Ph.D.
Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
(816) 584-2190
andrew.shoffner@park.edu
Andrew Shoffner, Ph.D., was appointed vice president for strategic initiatives in February 2023. As VPSI, Dr. Shoffner synchronizes and coordinates efforts across University departments and the administration. He oversees and guides critical strategic initiatives, ensuring they align with the University’s goals and contribute to its overall success. 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 »