Faculty and Staff Profiles

William Akey
,
Email: wakey@memphis.edu
Office Location:
Profile

Dr. William Akey has over 30 years of higher education experience serving in professional roles including over 20 years of experience in administrative positions.  Dr. Akey started his higher education career as an academic counselor working with incoming freshmen, undecided majors, and transfer students.  From counseling students, he moved into administration serving in a variety of roles including Associate Director of Admissions, Director of Recruitment and Orientation Services, Assistant Vice Provost for Enrollment Services, Assistant Professor, Associate Dean for the University College, Special Assistant to the Provost, and Interim Vice Provost for Enrollment Services and Vice Provost for Enrollment Services. 

While an Assistant Professor in the Department of Leadership, Dr. Akey taught graduate courses in the area of leadership and student personnel services.  While serving as the Associate Dean for the University College, Dr. Akey was the Director of Graduate Studies.  In 2016, Dr. Akey was selected to serve as the Special Assistant to the Provost working with the Enrollment Services Division, and in January 2017 was named the Interim Vice Provost for Enrollment Services.  On July 1, 2017, Dr. Akey became the Vice Provost for Enrollment Services.     


    

Additional Information

     

Education
  • Doctor of Education Higher and Adult Education - The University of Memphis - 2006
  • Education Specialist Student Personnel Services - Memphis State University - 1987
  • Master of Science Counseling - Memphis State University - 1982
  • Bachelor of Arts Psychology - Memphis State University - 1981

Work Experience

  • Clinical Professor College of Education , Department of Leadership - Higher & Adult Education - University of Memphis - August 2020 to Present
  • Vice Provost for Enrollment Services, Academic Affairs - The University of Memphis - July 2017 to August 2020
  • Interim Vice Provost for Enrollment Services, Academic Affairs - The University of Memphis - January 2017 to July 2017
  • Special Assistant to the Provost, Academic Affairs - The University of Memphis - July 2016 to December 2016
  • Associate Dean , University College - The University of Memphis - October 1, 2014 to June 2016
  • Interim Associate Dean/Director Dual Enrollment, University College - The University of Memphis - July 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014
  • Assistant Professor & Director of Dual Enrollment, Department of Leadership, Higher & Adult Education - The University of Memphis - October 1, 2009 to June 30, 2014
  • Interim Director, Center for the Study of Higher Education, College of Education Health & Human Sciences - The University of Memphis - October 2011 to June 30, 2014
  • Assistant Vice Provost for Enrollment Services, Enrollment Services - The University of Memphis - January 8, 2001 to September 30, 2009
  • Director of Recruitment & Orientation Services, Enrollment Services - The University of Memphis - January 1, 1996 to January 7, 2001
  • Associate Director of Admissions - Recruitment, Enrollment Services - Memphis State University - December 1, 1993 to December 31, 1995
  • Academic Counselor, Center for Student Development - Memphis State University - April 25, 1985 to November 30, 1993
Honors/Awards
  • Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society - The University of Memphis - 2006
  • Distinguished Administrator of The Year - University of Memphis - 1998
  • The Pyramid Award - University of Memphis - Student Affairs Division - 1997

Teaching Experience

  • LEAD 7000 Introduction to Leadership - The University of Memphis
  • HIAD 7415/8415 IT Trends & Issues - The University of Memphis
  • HIAD 7440/8440 Student Personnel Services - The University of Memphis
  • HIAD 7452 Developmental Education - The University of Memphis
  • LEAD 7500/8500 Adult Learning & Leadership - The University of Memphis
  • HIAD 7060/8060 Internship - The University of Memphis
  • HIAD 7443/8443 College Environments - The University of Memphis
  • HIAD 7411/8411 Community Colleges - The University of Memphis
  • PRST 7500 Foundations of Leadership - The University of Memphis
  • HIAD 7410/8410 Overview of Higher Education - University of Memphis

Outreach

  • TBR Ad-Hoc Committee on Dual Enrollment -   - July 2013 to August 2017 -  
  • Tennessee ACT Policy Council -   - 2008 - 2011 -  
  • Tennessee ACT Policy Council -   - Fall 2016 - Summer 2017 -  
Service
  • The University of Memphis - Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Faculty Advisor - 2011 - 2017
Presentations
  • The Math Academy: A Successful Pre-Enrollment Summer Program Focused on Algebra Instruction and College Life (Akey, Anderson, & Boyd). Presented at the 2012 Tennessee Board of Regents Diversity Conference, March 2012.

       
  • The Math Academy: A Successful Pre-Enrollment Summer Program Focused on Algebra Instruction and College Life (Akey, Anderson, & Boyd). Presented at the 2011 Tennessee College Access and Success Conference held at Vanderbilt University, November 1, 2011. 
  • College Student Financial Literacy.  Presented at the May Student Affairs Conference at the University of Memphis, May 2006.