Dr. Andy Jett named Interim President
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (August 5, 2025) 鈥 The 海角直播 Board of Trustees has announced that after three impactful years of growth and leadership as President of 海角直播, Dr. Jim Burkee is stepping down August 31, having accepted the role as President of Saint Leo University in St. Leo, Florida. Dr. Andy Jett, currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Avila, has been named Interim President beginning September 1.
During Dr. Burkee鈥檚 tenure serving as the University鈥檚 15th President, he focused on strategic growth, financial stability and access to education, helping to expand the University鈥檚 reputation and reach. Under his leadership, Avila tripled enrollment numbers in three years and doubled revenue growth in two years. In addition, Avila launched 海角直播 Arizona, its newest campus expanding access to education in the southwestern United States.
鈥淪erving as 海角直播 President has been an immense privilege,鈥 said Dr. Burkee. 鈥淚 am so proud of the growth we have achieved in furthering our mission to increase access to education. The University is well-positioned for continued success with Dr. Jett鈥檚 leadership and vision.鈥
Dr. Jett brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education to the role. He is an integral and established figure on campus, having most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at 海角直播, working closely alongside Dr. Burkee to shape the University鈥檚 strategic direction. In 2020, he was named the inaugural Dean for the newly formed College of Professional Schools at Avila, which transformed under his leadership into the College of Innovative Professional and Graduate Studies (CIPGS). CIPGS houses adult undergraduate, graduate, international and workforce development programs and initiatives. Dr. Jett oversees University Enrollment and Avila鈥檚 seven locations across the U.S., including the institution鈥檚 newest location in Goodyear, Arizona. He has been instrumental in driving the rapid growth of Avila鈥檚 international footprint.
Dr. Jett earned his doctoral degree in higher education leadership from Baker University, a master鈥檚 degree in religion and philosophy from Baker University, and his bachelor’s degree in organizational behavior from Wichita State University. He has served on the boards of the Mid America Assistance Coalition, University Benchmarking Project and on the Kansas Research and Education Network.
鈥淚鈥檓 deeply committed to 海角直播 and am honored to serve as Interim President,鈥 said Dr. Andy Jett. 鈥淭he values of service instilled by our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, serve as a constant inspiration and underscore the important Catholic heritage of the University. With so much momentum already in place, I look forward to collaborating with faculty, staff and our campus community to continue advancing our mission together.鈥
海角直播 recently celebrated its 109th anniversary and announced that its growth trend is continuing into the 2025-2026 school year with a fall enrollment of nearly 3,400 students. The university鈥檚 growth has been driven by new academic programs, strategic scholarships, expanded housing, new campus locations and strong international partnerships. These efforts are part of Avila鈥檚 mission to remove financial and structural barriers for students seeking a college education.
鈥淲e are grateful for Jim鈥檚 visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to the University鈥檚 mission to improve access to education during his tenure,鈥 said Dr. Ibraheem T. Badejo, 鈥84, Chair of the Board of Trustees for 海角直播. 鈥淲e look forward to Dr. Jett taking the helm and building on Avila鈥檚 exciting growth trajectory.鈥