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By: UPIKE Public Relations | June 16, 2021
The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) is proud to announce the appointment of Gary K. Justice, ‘96, MBA ‘13, as dean of admissions. Justice has experience introducing the unique opportunities available at UPIKE to prospective students from diverse backgrounds and interests. His passion for the university’s mission to prepare students for the future while creating intellectual, cultural and economic opportunities for Appalachia inspired him to lend his talents to the Office of Admissions, which holds enrollment responsibilities for undergraduate, graduate and professional programs at the university.
“Gary comes to UPIKE with an incredible set of leadership skills and the ability to inspire a team,” said UPIKE Provost Lori Werth, Ph.D. “He understands how competitive the higher education marketplace is and the specific strategies to attract students and parents to the university.”
During Justice’s tenure as director of admissions and financial aid in 2010, and vice president of enrollment management in 2013, his team experienced record-breaking enrollment for five years as well as increased student retention.
Justice went on to become an award-winning sales representative at Amgen, a multinational biopharmaceutical company, in 2015. Earlier this year, he was eager to return to the university he loves as director of planned giving. Justice’s transition in roles allows him to go back to his roots by working directly with students.
With a dynamic, energetic admissions team in place, Justice is eager to begin his new role.
“I am excited to be a part of a very talented UPIKE admissions team,” said Justice. “UPIKE began the mission of bringing education to Appalachia in 1889, and I look forward to continuing that strong legacy of supporting students and helping families achieve their educational dreams.”
In addition to being named to the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004 for his performance on the baseball diamond as an undergraduate student, Justice was presented with the Outstanding Student Award in 2013 while earning his master of business at UPIKE. He is also a graduate of Leadership Pike County and Leadership Kentucky.
Justice resides in Pikeville with his wife, Katina, and their sons, Kevin and Blake. Kevin is a senior at UPIKE and Blake is a junior at Pikeville High School.