Northwest names Skinner as next vice president of student affairs

Northwest names Skinner as next vice president of student affairs

Northwest Missouri State University has named Dr. Bruce W. Skinner, who currently serves as associate vice president of student life at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), as its next vice president of student affairs after the Board of Regents' approval of the hire today.

Skinner will begin his work at Northwest on June 29. He assumes responsibilities held since March by an interim vice president, Dr. Charlie Fey, and before that Dr. Matt Baker, who resigned from the University to become president at Emporia State University.

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Bruce Skinner to Northwest Missouri State University as our new vice president of student affairs," Northwest President Dr. Lance Tatum said. "Dr. Skinner brings a distinguished career in student affairs leadership with decades of experience dedicated to advancing student success, engagement and well-being. I look forward to the leadership, energy and perspective he will bring to our campus community and executive team."

At SEMO, Skinner provides leadership for a range of programs and services that shape the campus experience for its students. Since joining SEMO in 1999 as a graduate student and hall director, Skinner has advanced to senior roles in residence life and student affairs, including director of residence life, and served as interim vice president for enrollment management and student success.

Skinner said he is excited to join Northwest and considers himself fortunate to join "such a well-respected university."

"I am very excited about the opportunity to join Northwest Missouri State University," Skinner said. "I don't know if I've ever been to a college town where everyone I spoke to had only positive things to say about the University. The University and Maryville connection is special."

He added, "Student Affairs has a powerful impact on the collegiate experience. The programs and opportunities that student affairs provides are what allow a student to put the leadership and teamwork lessons from the classroom into practice."

Skinner brings to Northwest extensive experience in administration, planning and program development. As director of residence life, he managed housing for more than 3,000 students, oversaw multimillion-dollar budgets and led major capital projects, including the planning and construction of six new residence halls.

After transitioning into senior leadership roles, he guided campus-wide initiatives, including the expansion of fraternity and sorority life, creation of a student involvement ambassador program, development of an orientation experience, and planning for the launch of a comprehensive transition program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As interim vice president for enrollment management and student success, he had responsibility for 17 offices spanning admissions, financial services, registrar operations and student success initiatives.

Additionally, Skinner has been an active peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). In that role, he evaluates institutional effectiveness, academic quality, governance and resource allocation against HLC criteria, often serving as a lead or contributing author on accreditation reports focused on areas such as mission alignment, integrity and strategic planning. His work has included both in-person and virtual visits to public and private institutions, providing detailed feedback that supports institutional improvement and reinforces accountability in higher education.

Skinner has an Ed.D. in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He earned his Master of Science degree in public administration and Bachelor of Science in political science from SEMO.