Meet the Provost
In July 2025, Dr. Mitchell L. Cordova joined Austin Peay State University as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of Health & Human Performance.
His time in higher education has led him to both faculty and leadership positions at Indiana State University, the University of North Carolina - Charlotte, and Florida Gulf Coast University. He served as Director of the MS and PhD programs in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine and the Sports Injury Research at ISU, as Chair for the Department of Kinesiology and Founding Director of the Biodynamics Research Laboratory at UNC - Charlotte, and then as Dean of the Marieb College of Health and Human Services at FGCU. Most recently at FGCU, he was the Founding Vice President for Student Success & Enrollment Management, where he also helped launch many initiatives supporting student success across Student Life, Academic Support, Career Readiness, Military & Veterans Student Success, and Enrollment Services.
Dr. Cordova’s research endeavors have culminated in more than 65 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles, textbook chapters, and textbook reviews. He has also delivered over 130 professional research presentations, symposia, and invited lectures at the national and international levels. Dr. Cordova has been recognized nationally for his research accomplishments and is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, the Association of Schools of Advancing Health Professions, and a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice. Dr. Cordova earned a BS in Athletic Training from East Stroudsburg University, an MA in Athletic Training from Indiana State University, and a PhD in Biomechanics from The University of Toledo. He also completed the Crisis Leadership in Higher Education certificate program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.