Morehead State University Executive and Leadership Team

Mary Fister, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Morehead State University, manages the fiscal health and long-term economic sustainability of the institution. Fister oversees the allocation of university resources, ensuring alignment with strategic academic goals and regional engagement initiatives. By directing budget planning and financial reporting, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer maintains transparency and accountability across all departments. Mary Fister evaluates investment opportunities and capital projects to strengthen the physical and intellectual infrastructure of the campus. This leadership role requires close coordination with the Board of Regents to secure funding and optimize revenue streams. Through rigorous financial analysis, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer identifies cost-saving measures that support student affordability and program expansion. Fister monitors economic trends to navigate the complex financial landscape of public higher education. Ultimately, the Vice President & Chief Financial Officer secures the necessary capital to advance the mission of the university.

Jacob Porter, the President at Morehead State University, defines the overarching strategic vision and academic mission of the institution. Porter directs the executive leadership team to ensure the university remains a cornerstone of regional development and educational opportunity. By fostering partnerships with local industries and government entities, the President expands the reach of undergraduate and graduate programs throughout the Commonwealth. Jacob Porter represents the university in public forums, advocating for policies that support higher education funding and student success. This leadership role involves guiding the development of new doctoral programs to meet evolving workforce demands. Through the promotion of a culture of excellence, the President inspires faculty and staff to achieve high standards in research and teaching. Porter oversees the implementation of long-term institutional goals, ensuring that every initiative aligns with the core values of the university. Ultimately, the President drives the growth and reputation of the institution.

Darrell Smith, the Chief Information Officer at Morehead State University, directs the digital transformation of campus-wide academic systems. Smith architects secure network environments to support the diverse research and instructional needs of the university community. By managing enterprise software deployments, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless connectivity for students and faculty across the Kentucky region. This leadership role involves constant evaluation of emerging educational technologies to maintain competitive standards in higher education. Darrell Smith optimizes data governance protocols to protect sensitive institutional information while facilitating efficient administrative workflows. Through the implementation of robust cybersecurity frameworks, the Chief Information Officer mitigates digital risks and maintains operational continuity. Smith collaborates with academic departments to integrate advanced digital tools into the curriculum, thereby enhancing the overall learning experience. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer drives the technological evolution necessary for sustained institutional growth and academic excellence.

Steve Richmond, the Assistant VP, Technology & Chief Information Officer at Morehead State University, manages the operational deployment of hardware and campus-wide technical support services. Richmond architects scalable cloud infrastructure to facilitate remote learning and collaborative research efforts. By overseeing the technical help desk and hardware procurement, the Assistant VP, Technology & Chief Information Officer ensures that students and staff possess the tools required for academic success. Steve Richmond coordinates with external vendors to maintain high-performance computing clusters that serve the university's emerging doctoral programs. This leadership role involves streamlining technical support workflows to reduce downtime and improve user satisfaction across the Kentucky campus. Through the modernization of classroom technology, the Assistant VP, Technology & Chief Information Officer enhances the delivery of instruction. Richmond prioritizes the maintenance of critical systems to support the university's commitment to regional engagement and technological accessibility for all learners.