Life University president steps down, interim president named

On March 31, Rob Scott, DC, PhD, will end his term as president of Life University in Marietta, Georgia, with Brian McAulay, DC, PhD, set to take on the role of interim president April 1.

Scott announced his resignation on January 8 during a Faculty and Staff Development Program event, citing personal reasons. He will continue to work at Life U as associate vice president of institutional initiatives, a position in which he will support international initiatives, teach DC students in the classroom and represent Life U in other capacities.

“It has been an honor to serve the last eight years as the fifth president of Life U and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the university with our students, alumni, friends and staff,” Scott said in an email to the university community. “I want to thank all my colleagues and friends at Life U for their support over the past 20 years, and I look forward to working collaboratively alongside you as we move into Life University’s next 50 years.”

Interim president named

Life University’s Board of Trustees accepted Scott’s resignation and announced that McAulay, who has been serving as an accreditation consultant to the board since August, will step into the role of interim president. He is a well-known member of Life U’s community, having previously served on the board and as the university’s executive vice president and provost from 2004 to 2013.

McAulay’s leadership experience also includes serving as president of Parker University, Sherman College of Chiropractic and Argosy University Dallas. He has chaired 25 site teams for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS/COC), was a Fellow of the American Council on Education (ACE), has served on numerous boards and was president of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC). He also served as the chief academic officer for the Palmer Colleges, the South University System and Logan University.

“I, and the entire Board, believe Dr. McAulay possesses the ideal expertise, experience and temperament to partner with Life U’s stakeholders at this critical juncture. This will enable Dr. McAulay to shepherd the institution through the challenges we face today and position the university to move confidently into the future,” said Kevin Fogarty, DC, Chairman of Life U’s Board of Trustees, in an emailed announcement to the university community. “Being a proven higher education leader, he is especially well-versed in accreditation matters and is a strong collaborator and communicator who will help ensure the diverse talents within the Life U community are brought to bear in resolving current challenges and setting the stage for renewed growth and success.”

Fogarty also posted the announcement to Life University’s Facebook page and other social media channels.

McAulay, who holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce and finance from the University of Toronto, a doctor of chiropractic degree from Pennsylvania College of Chiropractic and a PhD in management from Temple University, also spent 12 years in private practice as a DC and is the author of numerous published research articles.

“I am excited to come home to the Life University community and to lead the institution during this period as we work together to create the future we know is possible,” said McAulay. “The fields of higher education and health care are both changing rapidly, and I believe that creates unique opportunities for Life University to grow and thrive.
“I very much look forward to working with the entire Life U community toward that end.”

For more information, visit life.edu.

About Life University

Life University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, associate, master’s and Doctor of Chiropractic degrees, and also has programmatic accreditation through the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The mission of Life University is to empower students with the education, skills and values necessary for career success and life fulfillment, based on a vitalistic philosophy.