Officers of the University

Officers of the University

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Robert L. Simpson, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, began his tenure as the chief academic officer at Kettering University in September 2010.  He previously had served as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Kettering University during the 2006-2007 academic year.  Dr. Simpson earned a doctorate degree in Limnology at Cornell University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees at Fresno State College.

Vice President for University Advancement and External Relations Ms. Susan L. Davies, Vice President for University Advancement and External Relations, joined Kettering in March 2012.  She is head of all activities involving alumni relations, development including corporate and foundation giving, annual giving, estate and planned giving, and prospect management.  Ms. Davies has over 20 years of fund-raising and management experience.  She is a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (C.F.R.E.) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from CMU.

Vice President for Marketing, Communications and Enrollment Mr. Cornelius (Kip) Darcy, Vice President for Marketing, Communications and Enrollment, joined Kettering in April 2012.  He is head of all activities involving marketing, public relations, communications, admissions, financial aid and enrollment services.  Mr. Darcy previously directed admissions for both the Washington University School of Law and the University of California Hastings College of Law.  Most recently, he managed field enablement and communications for Blue Coat Systems, Inc.  Mr. Darcy holds both an MBA and a Master’s of Art degree in International Affairs from Washington University in St. Louis.

Vice President for Administration & Finance Mr. Tomas W. Ayers, Vice President for Administration & Finance, joined Kettering in July 2012.  He serves as Treasurer to the Board of Trustees and is head of all activities involving university finance including accounting, cashier’s office, payroll, purchasing and student accounts; Human Resources; and all areas of facility management including business operations, planning and construction management, campus maintenance and central receiving.  Mr. Ayers came to Kettering University having most recently served as the Executive Vice President for Operations & Treasurer at Huntington University.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Taylor University and later received both a master’s degree in Student Personnel Administration and a master’s of Business Administration from Ball State University.

Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Ms. J. Betsy Homsher assumed the position of Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students in October 2011.  Her responsibilities include all co-curricular programs and activities; Campus Safety; health, counseling, and insurance services; residence life, recreation services, multi-cultural student initiatives, and K-12 outreach.

Vice President for Instructional, Administrative & Information Technology Ms. Viola M. Sprague came to Kettering in November 2008 as Executive Director of Information Technology.  She is the Chief Information Technology Officer for the University.  Ms. Sprague’s role is leading the Kettering IT department in maintaining existing technologies, as well as focus on strategic technology solutions.  She came to campus from Spectrum Health Systems in Grand Rapids, Mich., where she served as the Applications Manager/Project Manager for the Technology and Information Solutions department.