NSU announces administrative changes

Mark Kinders, Vice President for University Relations at Northeastern State University for the past three years, will step down in December to join the University of Central Oklahoma administration as Vice President for Government Relations. He will begin his new position in January.

NSU Interim President Martin Tadlock has named Jerry Cook as Interim Executive Director for University Relations. Tadlock said a review of the position will be undertaken in early 2012 with the arrival of Dr. Steve Turner as NSUs 19th president.

We appreciate Marks service and passion for NSU. He set high expectations for NSUs engagement in developing regional partnerships, our visibility as the regional university of choice for eastern Oklahoma, our commitment to our veterans, and for our continued push for continuous quality improvement, said Tadlock. I am sure that he will continue those priorities in his new position, and we wish him and Linda well as they make the transition to a new community and a different career direction.

During his Northeastern tenure, Kinders guided the institution through an integrated branding and marketing campaign, Gather Here. Go Far. He also constructed a comprehensive state and federal relations program to complement grants activities and to pursue federal directed funding. Under his leadership, the Foundation raised more than $6 million, including its first $1 million gift, and achieved record alumni association membership. He also initiated and coordinated the institutional discussion that led to the creation of the Center for Regional and International Partnerships, which unifies institutional responses for NSU assistance or collaborations.

Kinders also serves on a regional planning group of more than 60 partners that recently completed its third annual summit to address economic development, environmental stewardship and social issues in a 14-county area. He chairs the Common Vision, Common Voice regional action team that is determining the regions organizational structure for implementing its comprehensive county plan, establishing a state and federal public policy agenda, and determining a regional branded identity.

Nationally, Kinders is actively engaged in the American Association of State Colleges & Universities (AASCU), which educates 3.5 million students at 410 institutions and systems. He has served the association as chair of its Advisory Council on Communications and Public Affairs and he represents AASCU institutions on the National Higher Education Government Relations Conference. He also is a member of the editorial board for AASCUs national magazine, Public Purpose.

Its been an honor and a privilege to work with the NSU family and our regional partners to help shape the future of our university and of Green Country. Every day has been challenging, fun and rewarding, Kinders said. During the past three years Linda and I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with the warm and generous people of Northeasterns service area. We will miss them, but we also know that NSU and UCO have enjoyed long-standing, close working relationships. I look forward to the many future opportunities to work collaboratively on our campuses and in our communities to create a better future for all of us.

Jerry Cook began his career in higher education in 2006 in the NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry as the Optometry Program Representative and was named NSU Director of Community and Government Relations in 2008. Cook also serves on the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Economic Development Council. In 2010, he served NSU as the Interim Director of Development and Executive Director of the NSU Foundation.

With his wife Barbra they have been involved in several Tahlequah area businesses including a previous ownership investment and general manager of the Tahlequah Ford, Lincoln Mercury dealership and the Clear Creek business properties. During his automotive career he also served as a commissioner to both the Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle and Parts Commission and the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission, where he later served as the Executive Director in the administration of Gov. George Nigh.

Cook has served as a member of the Tahlequah City Council both as a city councilor and as mayor. Other area public service has included serving as a trustee to the Tahlequah City Hospital board, the Tahlequah Public Works Authority, the Tahlequah Industrial Trust Authority and the Northeastern Oklahoma Public Facilities Authority.

Cook holds an Associate of Arts degree in Journalism from Bacone College and his bachelors degree of Business Administration and Communications from Northeastern, as well as an MBA from NSU. In addition to his degrees, he acquired Legal Assistant certification from the University of Tulsa.

"I am looking forward to this interim position in the continuing evolution of NSU University Relations. During Mark's tenure he has challenged all of us to raise the bar and attempt every day to exceed the expectations of our students, staff, faculty, alumni and partners throughout the region, said Cook.

We have a talented and dedicated team working within University Relations and I am very excited about our collective efforts as we prepare to move forward under President Turners leadership. I am very thankful for this opportunity that Dr. Tadlock has provided in this time of transition. We wish Mark the very best in his new position.