Austin Peay executive committee approves bylaws revisions and president's employment contract

The executive committee of the Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees voted to approve revisions to the board bylaws and to adopt a five-year employment contract for President Mike Licari at a meeting in April 2025.

Dr. Carol Clark, secretary to the board, told trustees the proposed bylaw changes were intended to bring the board into compliance with current state law and to reflect changes enacted by the General Assembly to the board’s composition and appointing authorities. Clark said the revisions address provisions that permit trustees to meet in sessions described in state law and incorporate the addition of trustees appointed by legislative leadership.

The committee adopted the same evaluation criteria and instrument used in 2024–25 to assess Licari’s performance for fiscal year 2025–26. The committee then considered and approved the president’s employment contract, which trustees said is intended to help retain Licari and provide continuity for the university.

Trustee Don (first name used in the meeting) spoke in support of the contract, praising Licari’s community engagement and saying the university’s enrollment has increased under his leadership; Don described the contract as a means to retain Licari. Mike Licari, president of Austin Peay State University, thanked trustees and said he and his spouse, Kirsten, looked forward to continuing to serve.

The committee recorded the bylaws vote by roll call; trustees present registered their yea votes. The other approvals — adoption of the evaluation instrument, approval of the president’s contract and approval of the minutes from the April 11, 2025, executive committee meeting — were carried by voice vote with the chair calling for all those in favor to say “aye.” No votes in opposition were recorded on the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: The bylaws revisions reflect changes in state law and legislative action that alter how trustees may meet and how some trustees are appointed; updating the bylaws ensures the board’s governing rules match those legal changes. Approving a multiyear presidential employment contract formalizes terms for university leadership and signals the board’s intent to retain the president amid nationwide enrollment pressures.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes for the 04/11/2025 executive committee meeting: approved (motion/second recorded; voice vote: aye; no opposition recorded). - Revisions to board of trustees bylaws: approved (roll call recorded with Trustees Cannata, Jenkins, O'Malley and Roe voting aye; motion moved and seconded; outcome carried). - Adoption of the president’s performance evaluation instrument for FY 2025–26 (same instrument used in 2024–25): approved (motion moved and seconded; voice vote: aye; outcome carried). - President’s employment contract: approved (motion moved and seconded; committee discussion followed; voice vote: aye; outcome carried).

Details and context Dr. Carol Clark, secretary to the board, described two primary categories of changes in the bylaws: (1) edits to ensure compliance with state law provisions that authorize certain trustee meetings to address specific matters described by statute, and (2) revisions reflecting changes the General Assembly made to board composition and appointing authorities, including adding trustees appointed by house and senate leadership. Clark offered that Corey Harkie could answer follow-up questions from trustees.

During discussion of the president’s contract, a trustee who identified himself as Don summarized why the committee pursued a multi-year contract and retention provisions, saying Licari had increased enrollment and strengthened community ties. Don said the contract includes tax-advantaged elements described at the meeting (referred to at the meeting as a “457(f) agreement”) and additional provisions intended to retain Licari beyond the initial five-year term.

Licari responded, saying he and Kirsten were grateful for the committee’s vote of confidence and that the past four and a half years had been “wonderful” for them.

No public dissent or opposed votes were recorded in the meeting transcript. The committee adjourned after the votes were taken.

Provenance: transcript excerpts supporting this article are indicated below.