University names new president
By Staff Reports
Published in News on April 26, 2018 5:50 AM
Full SizeThe University of Mount Olive announced Wednesday that the board of trustees appointed a new president to replace Dr. Philip Kertsetter.
The UMO board of trustees appointed Dr. David L. Poole, who will begin his duties July 1, as its fifth president.
Kertsetter announced his retirement last August after serving as the university's fourth president for nearly a decade, launching a nationwide search that was "extensive and rigorous," according to a UMO press release.
According to a press release, Poole has a combination of academic expertise, innovation and a student-centered focus that are at the heart of supporting the UMO mission.
Poole has over 36 years of experience in the business and education environment with significant experience in academic and enrollment management, marketing administration, operations, customer relationship management, information technology services and program development, according to the release.
He currently serves as vice president for online and professional studies and as an associate professor of leadership and management at California Baptist University.
Over the past eight years, his focus has been the establishment and oversight of CBU's online, hybrid and education center programs, with a track record of growth.
During this time, the division has grown from 589 students to serving approximately 4,000 from 40 states. Under his leadership, CBU's academic programs increased from 12 majors and concentrations at the undergraduate level to 42 and now includes graduate and doctoral degrees.
Before his appointment at CBU, Poole also served as vice president for institutional advancement at Hope International University, associate dean for graduate and executive programs for the Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University, and vice president of marketing and product development at Virtual CEO, Inc.
Poole served 13 years as executive director for executive programs with Pepperdine University. In 1999, under his leadership, the Executive MBA program was recognized by Business Week as one of the "Leading Twenty" in the nation. In 2001, the program was ranked 11th globally, fourth in strategy, and first in ethics, according to the announcement.
From 1998-2000, Poole served as chairman of the board of trustees for the Executive MBA Council, which is a global organization representing 19 countries encompassing a membership of over 200 of the top business schools in the world.
In addition to his formal appointments, he has held board positions with a number of non-profit organizations.
He received both his master of science in administration and technology and his bachelor of arts in music in education from Pepperdine University. He completed his doctorate in higher education leadership at California State University Fullerton, and he is a graduate of the Harvard Institute for Educational Management.
Poole has been married to his wife, Mary, for 32 years. They have three adult daughters.