Lynn A. Akey, Ph.D.

Vice President for Student Success, Analytics and Integrated Planning

Minnesota State University, Mankato

Lynn D. Akey, Ph.D. serves as the Vice President for Student Success, Analytics and Integrated Planning at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Dr. Akey is a dedicated leader whose passion for higher education centers on a deep and optimistic commitment to educational excellence and student-focused success. Her broad knowledge of higher education has been shaped by administrative appointments, professional engagement, and educational experiences that cross sectors of the higher education landscape.

As the Vice President for Student Success, Analytics and Integrated Planning, Dr. Akey serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet and brings to her leadership role expertise in integrated and strategic planning; student development and success; institutional research and analytics; and accreditation and assessment of student learning. Under Dr. Akey’s leadership the University has advanced a comprehensive student-focused approach to student success resulting in increased student enrollment, retention, and completion and decreased success gaps for historically underrepresented populations.

Prior to her current role, Dr. Akey held administrative appointments in Academic Affairs, as well as positions of increasing responsibility in Student Affairs. Her work enabled the University’s successful reaffirmation of accreditation and subsequent assurance review; advancement of the University’s most recent strategic plan; development of the University’s first-ever integrated academic master plan; initiation of university-wide strategic budget planning; creation of a comprehensive institutional analytics office; and the progression of academic and co-curricular assessment of student learning practices. Dr. Akey’s achievements are built upon a foundation of experience within budget management, personnel administration, crisis management, and planning.

Dr. Akey’s professional engagement is longstanding. She has served as an evaluator and team lead for the Performance Excellence Network focused on helping non-profit, healthcare, manufacturing, and education organizations improve results, facilitate innovation, sustain operations, and reach higher levels of excellence. Within higher education, Dr. Akey has been a member of the Higher Learning Commission Peer Review Corps since 2014 serving on teams for four-year institutions undergoing comprehensive reaffirmation of accreditation.

Since 2016, Dr. Akey has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Society of College and University Planning (SCUP). In her second elected term as Board Chair, Dr. Akey’s leadership has guided the Board and Society in advancing a mission of developing individual and organizational capacities in integrated planning to strengthen and transform institutions of higher education. In addition, she serves as a facilitator for the SCUP Planning Institute.

Dr. Akey earned her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Policy and Administration at the University of Minnesota, her Master of Arts degree in College Student Personnel at Bowling Green State University, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Truman State University.