New Chiefs for Academics and Operations Join AU

J. Andrew Prall views himself as a product of the liberal arts experience.

A native of Indiana, Prall served in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua and Paraguay, worked in adult literacy in Chicago, and even counted pigs as a credit analyst in Minnesota before embarking on a career in academia.

Prall joined Aurora University in August as vice president for academic affairs, bringing with him a lifelong commitment to empower underserved populations. He returns to the Midwest after serving as provost since 2018 at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.

“I am just really excited to join the AU community,” said Prall. “I am so pleased to be a part of a place that’s so authentically focused on its mission. AU is an adaptive and dynamic place, and I can’t wait to do my part to tell that story.”

While at St. Edward’s, Prall facilitated the development of several new academic programs and led the university’s Student Success initiative, which increased retention rates for traditional and transfer students by more than 8%.

Before that, Prall spent a decade at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he served six years as vice president for academic affairs and held other posts, including chair of the English and foreign languages department. He earned a BA in English and Economics from DePauw University, an MFA in Creative Writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a PhD in English from the University of Denver.

Jeffrey King EdD ’16 understands what it means to keep things running smoothly.

After two decades in operations and finance at School District U-46 based in Elgin, the second-largest school district in Illinois, there isn’t much that rattles him. He has done everything from develop landscaping and grounds plans for almost 1,000 acres of property, finance new business equipment, oversee district-wide software systems, manage the construction of new buildings, negotiate with food vendors, and fix leaky ice machines.

The broad span of duties makes King particularly well-suited for his new role as chief operating officer at Aurora University.

“There’s always a different challenge every day,” said King.

His first job out of college was as a steel buyer for a steel distributor, and that led to a career in purchasing, warehousing, and distribution. He worked for Jewel Food Stores and Webvan Inc. in various management roles before finding his way into education.

King most recently served as deputy superintendent of operations at School District U-46, which encompasses 11 communities in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. He received both his BA in Economics and MBA from Eastern Illinois University, and earned a Doctor of Education in Leadership in Educational Administration from AU. He also taught finance as an adjunct professor in AU’s EdD program at the Woodstock Center in Woodstock, Illinois, for two years.

“I am so excited to rejoin the AU community,” said King. “I want to provide the best environment for students and faculty with all of the things that AU needs to deliver the best education possible.”