SHANE B. SMEED

President
(816) 584-6205
shane.smeed@park.edu
@ShaneSmeed

Shane B. Smeed has served as the 18th president of Park University since November 2020. As president, Smeed has championed transformative initiatives that have significantly enhanced the University’s trajectory, ensuring its growth, innovation and commitment to student success. His leadership has consistently emphasized excellence, integrity, inclusivity, global citizenship, civility and respect, core values central to Park University’s mission. 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

Interim Chief Financial Officer
(816) 584-6352
scott.fergerson@park.edu

Scott Fergerson was appointed interim chief financial officer in January 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 »

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 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 »

Yang Sun, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Management
(816) 584-6568
yang.sun@park.edu

Yang Sun was appointed as dean of the College of Management in August 2023. Sun is the chief administrative, fiscal and academic officer of the College, and is responsible for implementing the College of Management’s policies and procedures in concert with the University’s policies, as well as the strategic, programmatic, financial and management operations that support the mission of the College and its role within the University. The College of Management includes the Robert W. Plaster School of Business. 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 »