Vice Provost of Academic Affairs

The Office of the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs is dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all members of the university community. Through fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, our team aims to empower faculty and staff to excel in their roles and contribute to the overall success of our students. We prioritize providing students with a transformative learning experience by offering engaging and cutting-edge educational opportunities. Our dedication to student success is reflected in our ongoing efforts to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all students can thrive. We strive to foster a sense of community and belonging, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported throughout their academic journey. By promoting diversity and inclusion, we aim to empower students from all backgrounds to succeed and make a positive impact in the world.

Below are the departments that work collaboratively to provide a comprehensive range of services and resources to both faculty and students. Through their collective efforts, they contribute to creating a vibrant and inclusive learning environment for all members of the university community.

Academic Engagement and Support

The Office of Academic Engagement and Support’s (AES) mission is to provide an inclusive and exceptional student experience by providing meaningful academic support and engagement for the entire NU Community. AES seeks to foster a culture of scholarly growth through the collaborative development of personalized and scaffolded support for the entire NU community.

Academic Training Academy

The Academic Training Academy supports all members of the National University academic community with training, resources, and support for world-class teaching and student success.

Inclusive Excellence

The Office of Inclusive Excellence is deeply relational and collaborative working with members across the university to facilitate accessible, inclusive, and meaningful working and learning experiences.

Faculty Operations

The faculty operations team is an administrative department supporting the Office of the Provost in operations related to both full-time and part-time faculty.

Learning Experience

The Learning Experience (LeX) team assists NU stakeholders in providing world-class learning for all levels and types of learners through the creation of shared meaning, the deployment of development opportunities for stakeholders, support for practitioners, and the delivery of scientific, artistic, and flexible learning experiences.

Office of Graduate Studies

Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) Team is dedicated to creating innovative multimodal learning experiences that empower all NU Students. Our mission is to support and promote the personal and academic development of all graduate students with a commitment to partnering with and supporting our schools and departments across NU.

Vice Provost of Academic Affairs

Dr. James C. Billings is the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs at National University.  Dr. Billings is also a licensed mental health therapist. He believes that by fostering a culture of empathy and support within educational institutions, students can receive the necessary resources to thrive mentally and academically. Through his work, Billings aims to create a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond the classroom.

Currently, he oversees the six departments listed above and provides critical consultation and support to the university’s six academic deans and the provost. He is a liaison with leaders across the university, working with multiple institution-wide steering committees. Ever empathetic, his hard-working nature and intellectual curiosity have contributed to his success in previous university roles including professor, academic program director, department chair, associate dean, Dean, and Interim University President. His strong leadership skills and dedication to fostering collaboration have been instrumental in driving positive change and innovation within the academic community. Dr. Billings’ commitment to student success and academic excellence is evident in his track record of implementing successful initiatives and programs.

As a pioneer in online mental health education, he led the team that launched the first-ever programmatically accredited online Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) in 2012, and the first-ever programmatically accredited online MFT doctorate in 2016. While serving as dean at Northcentral University (NCU), Billings established his school’s first Diversity Committee and later asked to establish and co-chair NCU’s inaugural university-wide DEI committee. In 2019, he was awarded the NCU Dean of Deans award by his peers, and in 2022 an honorary Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership.

Dr. Billings has spoken and presented at more than 30 regional and national conferences, served on multiple association boards, and written and received more than $17 million in grants. He earned his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Loma Linda University, an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Lutheran University, and a BS in Psychology from Brigham Young University.