The Alderson Broaddus University (AB) and Interim President Andrea J. Bucklew announce several strategic promotions as part of her new administration. Carrie Bodkins has been promoted to Vice President for Enrollment Management and will continue as Director of Athletics, Title IX Deputy Coordinator, and Title IX Investigator. Dr. James M. Owston, EdD., has been promoted to Interim Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, and starting July 1, Dr. Michael Boehke will take on the duties of Assistant Provost and remain Dean of the College of Health, Science, Technology, and Mathematics.
Carrie Bodkins earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from AB in 1999. She earned a BA in Elementary Education from Fairmont State University and a master’s in Sports Management from WVU. Bodkins has served in several roles during her tenure at AB, starting as Head Volleyball Coach and sport management and physical education faculty member. Her roles have included NCAA Compliance Director, Sports Information Director, Assistant Athletic Director, Associate Athletic Director, and Senior Associate Athletic Director. She became the first female Director of Athletics at AB in 2019.
As a student-athlete, Bodkins played volleyball and basketball as a Battler. She was named Atlantic All-Region in volleyball and Player of the Year. She holds the All-Time Kill and Clock Leader distinction at AB in volleyball and is a 1,000-point scorer in basketball. She earned Coach of the Year honors in the WVIAC and G-MAC while coaching volleyball at AB and compiled a .718 winning percentage in conference play.
Bodkins’ NCAA committee work includes Division II Management Council (2013-2018), Division II National SAAC Committee (2013-2018), Division II Identity Subcommittee (2013-2018), Division II National Women’s Soccer Committee (2022-present), Division II Implementation Committee (2021-2022), and the National Women’s Volleyball Rules Committee (2011-2014).
“I’d like to thank President Bucklew and the Board of Trustees for this opportunity to serve the Alderson Broaddus community as the Vice President for Enrollment Management,” states Bodkins. “AB has been a huge part of my life for nearly twenty-two years. I’m excited to continue to help my alma mater navigate the enrollment challenges that colleges nationwide are facing in this post-COVID world. Alderson Broaddus is an institution with a rich history and a strong family and community foundation. We have a talented, committed team of individuals who will continue to move the University forward.”
With nine years of service to AB, Owston joined the faculty in 2014 as an associate professor of mass communication and was tenured as a full professor in 2017. In addition, Owston served AB as the Associate Provost (2021-2023), Assistant Provost for extended learning (2018-2021), and Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (2016-2019).
Owston brings 34 years of higher education teaching and administrative experience, which includes the following roles: Dean of distance education at Kentucky Christian University (KCU) and a plethora of positions at Mountain State University (MSU), where he served as Dean of Distance Learning, Assistant Vice President for University Relations, Director of Media Services, Executive Assistant, and Assistant Professor of Communication and Media.
In addition to AB and MSU, Owston has taught at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Concordia University-Portland, West Virginia State University, Marshall University, and WV Rocks. Prior to and contiguous with his educational experiences, Owston was an award-winning broadcast programmer for 20 years.
He holds a doctorate and an education specialist degree from Marshall, master’s degrees from WVU and the West Virginia Graduate College, a graduate certificate from SNHU, and bachelor’s degrees from KCU and MSU.
Dr. Owston was the 2022 Dr. Hal Shaver Public Relations Educator of the Year from the Public Relations Society of America’s West Virginia chapter (PRSA-WV). His doctoral dissertation on educational branding garnered two outstanding research awards: the 2008 Goodman-Malamuth Award from the American Association of the University Administrators (AAUA) for research in higher education administration and the 2009 Alice L. Beeman International Award for Marketing and Communication in Education from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
Since 2016, he and his students have earned over 60 public relations awards, including 2018 Best in West Virginia award and the 2019 Best in Show for the six-state region of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania.
Owston serves as secretary and executive board member with the PRSA-WV and as a board member and publications committee member of the AAUA. Additionally, he has been a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission since 2009 and previously served as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Marketing for Higher Education. Dr. Owston divides his time between Philippi and Beckley, where he shares a home with his wife, Pam; daughters Lora and Kristen: and grandson Jasper.
“I am honored to be asked to be the interim provost and vice president for academic affairs,” explains Owston. “It will be difficult to fill Dr. Bucklew’s shoes, as she has been an excellent role model as Provost. I look forward to working with her as she sets the course of AB.”
Dr. Michael Boehke earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training in 1997 from Waynesburg College in Waynesburg, PA, and a Master of Science in Athletic Training from California University of Pennsylvania in 1999. Boehke’s thesis topic was the use of creatine supplementation in high school athletics. Michael came to Alderson Broaddus in August 1999 as an Athletic Trainer and Assistant Professor of Athletic Training. In 2002, he played a key role in gaining initial accreditation of the Athletic Training Education Program and was promoted to Head Athletic Trainer, Clinical Instructor Educator, and Clinical Coordinator. In 2009, Boehke earned the rank of Associate Professor of Athletic Training.
Boehke was promoted to Director of the Athletic Training Education Program in 2012. Michael completed a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Administration at West Virginia University in 2014. His dissertation topic was barriers, facilitators, and frequency of evidence-based practice use in Athletic Training. Also, in 2014, Dr. Boehke began developing the Exercise Science curriculum; the program was approved in 2015 with Boehke serving as Director. In August 2016, Michael was asked to co-represent the College of Health Sciences on Deans’ Council. In 2017 he was promoted to Professor of Exercise Science and Athletic Training. In 2018 the College of Health Science and the College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics merged, with Dr. Boehke serving as the Dean of the newly formed College of Health, Science, Technology, and Mathematics.
During his 24 years at AB, Dr. Boehke has served on many committees, including the Deans’ Council, Chairing the Institution Review Board, Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees, Financial Aid Committee, Athletic Advisory Board, Budget Finance Committee, Deans’ Council Representative to the President’s Cabinet, and Tenure, Promotion, and Sabbatical Leave Committee. Michael lives in Clarksburg, WV, with his wife Brandy and son Simon.
“I’m deeply honored and excited to serve as the Interim Assistant Provost at Alderson Broaddus University,” states Boehke. “I have a long history at AB and have served in many roles. I hope that the lessons I’ve learned and the experiences I’ve gained along the way can be used to further the mission and vision of our university. I’m excited to collaborate with faculty, staff, and students in shaping the future of our institution.”
