Liberty University announces Dr. Scott Hicks as interim provost

Liberty University has named Dr. Scott Hicks interim provost, effective July 1. Hicks has a long history with Liberty. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business, with concentrations in finance and management, at Liberty in 1997 and a Master of Business Administration in 2006. Dr. Hicks received the Ph.D. in Business Administration with concentrations in Financial Management and International Business from Northcentral University.

After spending several years working in the oil industry, eventually becoming director of Retail Operations at Mansfield Oil Company, Hicks joined Liberty’s staff. Starting as an assistant professor in the School of Business in 2007, Hicks was named dean of the School of Business in 2012. In 2017, he was named vice provost for Graduate Education.

Hicks becomes the first Liberty graduate to rise to this level of academic leadership. He said that he is looking forward to all of the challenges connected with taking this important step.

“I did my undergrad and my grad here,” Hicks said, “so this appointment means so much to me. It is very humbling. It truly is an honor to get to serve in this capacity at Liberty. Liberty is a phenomenal place with phenomenal people. It’s a huge calling, to use the vehicle of education to deliver the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are impacting the world, and to be here and have the opportunity to serve is amazing.”

Dr. Shawn Akers will be joining Hicks’ team in the position of a vice provost.

“Dr. Akers has done a superb job as Dean of the Helms School of Government, and I am excited to have Shawn as a member of the team,” Hicks said.

Ron Miller will move from associate dean of the Helms School of Government to become the interim dean.

As previously reported, Dr. Ron Hawkins will be leaving his provost role June 30, but he will be maintaining a role in the Provost’s Office as a vice provost, while also doing some teaching and other university service.

Hicks said he appreciates Hawkins’ support. “To have him here to mentor me in this transition is a great honor. I especially appreciate all of the institutional knowledge he has, his knowledge of SACSCOC (Liberty’s accrediting body), his ability to communicate, and most importantly, his heart for service.”