Recent Program Features
We are proud to celebrate the success of our faculty, students and programs. We welcome you to learn more about our college through reading our recent features!
Dr. David Hood serves as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Hood reports directly to President Edward Inch, serves on the President’s Cabinet, participates with the Vice Presidents in overall management of the University, and acts on behalf of the President. Dr. Hood oversees the work of Academic Affairs, including five academic colleges, library and learning, graduate education, research, global education and online education.
Strategic Focus
Throughout his 14-year administrative career in higher education he has focused on student learning and key performance indicators centered on student success outcomes. Dr. Hood’s diverse experience equips him to provide critical insight into some of the most challenging problems facing higher education through data-driven solutions.
Dr. Hood has focused his team and the Division of Academic Affairs’ efforts on:
- creating a student transfer-friendly campus and solidifying transfer pathways with area 2-year colleges,
- establishing ONLINE minimum teaching standards to provide our students with high-quality and consistent online experiences,
- crafting research-proven plans and setting benchmarks for the Minnesota State System Equity 2030 initiatives related to faculty and staff hiring and student learning opportunity gaps,
- implementing an online faculty success application called Watermark,
- completing the 2-year College of Humanities & Social Sciences merger process, and
- building a campus presence and relationships with students, faculty, and staff.
Education
Dr. Hood earned his EdD and MS in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University and his BS in Secondary Education, Biology and History from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Joseph J. Kmiech III is an innovative technology leader with over two decades of experience developing and executing strategic technology initiatives in university environments. He has a proven history of leading and managing IT departments, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and aligning technology solutions with organizational objectives. Kmiech works cooperatively with campus constituents to establish priorities and achieve institutional goals. His areas of expertise include management, organizational development, IT service management, project management, budget administration, and information security.
Background
Previously, Kmiech was the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where he provided strategic leadership for all campus technology services. He was responsible for overall planning, budgeting, development, integration, maintenance, security, and support of information and instructional technology. Additionally, he served a one-year term as UW CIO Council Chair and two terms as Vice Chair.
Before his tenure at UW-River Falls, Kmiech served as the interim CIO and Director of Technology Support Services at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He also previously held roles as Help Desk Manager and Help Desk staff member at Superior.
Kmiech has taught management and computer science courses as an adjunct instructor at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at his alma mater, The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. His experience includes online, hybrid, and in-person instructional formats. Currently, he is a faculty member in the EDUCAUSE Institutes, where he helps develop the next generation of higher education IT leaders through their Executive Leaders Academy and Managers Institute.
His military service includes time in the United States Army and Minnesota Army National Guard as an enlisted member in the Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery.
Kmiech is actively involved in various volunteer and service activities. At UW-River Falls, he served as the Falcons-to-Falcons representative for the UW-River Falls women’s basketball team and the esports team advised the UW-River Falls Veterans Club. He is a member of the American Legion, demonstrating strong advocacy for Veterans and Veterans-related issues.
Kmiech holds an M.A. in Management with a specialization in Organization Development and a B.A. in Management with a Computer Information Systems minor from The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN.
Amy Cooney is a seasoned executive with more than two decades of expertise in advancement, brand marketing, and product development. A dynamic and values-driven leader, she brings a powerful combination of strategic acumen, cross-sector experience, and a deep commitment to mission-driven work. As the Vice President of University Advancement, Amy provides strategic leadership and oversight of advancement initiatives, fundraising efforts, and capital campaigns. Her focus on donor engagement, major gifts, and portfolio strategy has led to year-over-year fundraising growth and increased institutional visibility.
Amy’s passion for operational excellence has been a catalyst for growth using data-driven strategies to enhance philanthropic support. Her collaborative leadership extends across departments and organizations, including serving on the President’s Cabinet and mentoring students.
Before her role in higher education, Amy built a robust career at AgStar Financial Services (now Compeer Financial), where she held multiple leadership roles. As Vice President of Brand Marketing and Communications, she led a team of professionals, overseeing strategic marketing, corporate communications, market research, and product development. Her visionary leadership contributed to significant impact on key market strategies and financial results through integrated marketing efforts. Amy pioneered AgStar’s CRM and digital marketing strategies and played a key role in branding, client insights, and cross-functional initiatives. She also led enterprise-level projects, such as CRM implementation, online banking systems, and strategic client service model development.
Amy holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota and is pursuing her MBA at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Her professional development includes training from elite institutions like the Kellogg School of Management and the American Management Association, with a strong emphasis on strategic marketing, fundraising, and leadership.
Amy and her husband have four children. She actively supports community youth programs, including 4-H, adaptive skiing and riding programs, and other sports organizations.
