Lee University will inaugurate its new president, Phil Cook, on Friday.
Cook, a longtime Lee faculty member, took the helm of the private university in Cleveland, Tennessee, on July 1.
Cook’s appointment came after former Lee University President Mark Walker announced his resignation in March 2024. Chancellor Paul Conn, who’d previously served as the university’s president for 34 years, held a one-year term as president and chancellor while the school searched for a permanent replacement.
For nearly three decades, Cook held a variety of roles at Lee, including as vice president for enrollment. During his tenure, the university saw sustained enrollment growth, and Cook contributed to initiatives around student success and institutional advancement, according to a press release.
Most recently, he served as the president and CEO of the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals.