Austin Peay executive committee approves 8.5% incentive for president, sets base salary at $415,500; forwards chair, vice chair nominations

The Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees executive committee approved an 8.5% incentive payment for President Michael Licari for the 2024–25 fiscal year and set his base salary for fiscal 2025–26 at $415,500 during a Sept. 20 committee meeting.

Chairman Jenkins opened the discussion of the president’s performance evaluation, describing a board-approved evaluation instrument and a multi-source review that included anonymous surveys of direct reports, community input and enrollment and fundraising metrics. "We got a rock star in Dr. Mike Licari," Jenkins said in delivering the committee’s recommendation to award the discretionary incentive.

The committee voted to award Licari an 8.5% incentive—described in the meeting as $34,000—for fiscal 2024–25. The committee then moved and approved a base salary of $415,500 for fiscal 2025–26, saying the figure was intended to keep Austin Peay competitive with other Tennessee public universities. The committee also deferred consideration of the next evaluation and incentive plan until the June board meeting to allow the incoming board chair to provide input.

Why it matters: The committee tied the incentive and salary decisions to enrollment, retention, fundraising and accreditation measures presented during the evaluation. Committee members cited increases in enrollment, fundraising and state appropriations as justification for the awards; those metrics were part of the evaluation rubric used to calculate incentive eligibility.

Details and supporting materials

According to materials and discussion presented at the meeting, the evaluation instrument measures goals across five categories. Committee members reported the following performance highlights during the discussion: - Overall enrollment increase of about 8.6% (period not further specified in materials presented at the meeting). - First-time freshman enrollment up roughly 17.4% since 2021 (period cited by the presenter). - Record graduate enrollment and record enrollment at the Fort Campbell Center (no dollar amounts attached). - State appropriations reported as up about 50% and grant funding up about 76% (figures presented by the committee as summary metrics). - Three straight years of increased retention rates and a favorable SACSCOC accreditation outcome discussed during the evaluation presentation.

The athletic and fundraising components of the incentive rubric were also discussed. Committee materials and remarks said the foundation received a single gift or pledge of $2,000,000—an amount the presenter said met one of the incentive thresholds.

Actions, motions and procedural outcomes

- Motion: Award an 8.5% incentive to President Michael Licari for fiscal year 2024–25 (stated amount: $34,000). Moved by Chairman Jenkins. Second: not specified in the meeting transcript. Outcome: approved by voice vote; the motion carried.

- Motion: Set President Michael Licari’s base salary for fiscal year 2025–26 at $415,500. Moved by Chairman Jenkins. Second: not specified in the meeting transcript. Outcome: approved by voice vote; the motion carried.

- Motion: Defer consideration of the performance evaluation and incentive plan for fiscal 2025–26 to the June board meeting so the incoming board chair can provide input. Moved by Chairman Jenkins. Second: not specified. Outcome: approved.

Nominations forwarded to full board

The committee accepted nominations to forward to the full board for consideration at its next meeting: - Trustee Mike O’Malley was nominated to be board chair beginning July 1, 2025; the committee voted to forward his nomination. - Trustee Phil Roe (also referred to in meeting discussion as Phil Ruppin in one instance) was nominated to be vice chair beginning July 1, 2025; the committee voted to forward his nomination. The transcript contained inconsistent renderings of the vice chair nominee’s last name; the committee forwarded the nomination as spoken at the meeting.

What the committee recorded and what remains unspecified

The committee relied on an evaluation instrument it said was approved in March 2024 and on anonymous survey input from senior staff. The committee did not provide a roll-call vote tally in the meeting transcript; approval was recorded by voice vote. The meeting record did not specify which trustee seconded each motion by name in the audio transcript provided.

Next steps and context

The incentive payment approved by the committee applies to fiscal 2024–25. The board will consider the forwarded chair and vice chair nominations and the deferred evaluation and incentive plan at future board meetings. The committee’s discussion referenced competition for senior leaders among institutions and a desire to retain Licari with competitive compensation and potential longer-term contract considerations.

Ending

The committee concluded its business by forwarding the nominations and adjourning. Several trustees who provided remarks praised Licari’s visibility in the community and recruitment efforts; those comments were part of the committee’s justification for the discretionary award and salary adjustment.