MURFREESBORO, Tenn. ­— Middle Tennessee State University solidified its upper leadership this spring with the appointment of Drew Harpool as vice president for business and finance and giving University Counsel James Floyd the additional title of vice president of legal affairs.

President Sidney A. McPhee’s recommendations for the promotions were approved during the March Board of Trustees meeting, elevating Harpool from an interim role he’d served in since June 2025 and adding the title to Floyd, which McPhee said better reflects Floyd’s current duties and aligns with peer institutions.

“James and Drew are key members of our leadership team who have shown consistent commitment to this university with excellent service in their respective areas, and I am pleased the Board of Trustees supported my recommendations for promotions,” McPhee said.

• Floyd serves as vice president of legal affairs, university counsel, and secretary to the Board of Trustees, acting as MTSU’s chief legal advisor. His work centers on helping university leaders navigate everything from policy decisions and compliance to governance and risk management. He also plays a key role in supporting the Board of Trustees, helping keep its work running smoothly behind the scenes.

With more than 30 years of legal experience, Floyd brings a deep background in higher education and state government. His career includes time with the Tennessee Board of Regents, the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of the Governor. He also previously served as senior associate general counsel at Vanderbilt University before returning to MTSU’s leadership team in 2021.

• As vice president for business and finance, Harpool oversees many of the systems that keep campus running day to day. That includes the university’s budget and financial planning, facilities, human resources, public safety, and several administrative services that support students, faculty, and staff. He manages an annual operating budget of more than $500 million and helps oversee campus assets valued at over $1 billion, highlighting the scope of his role.

Harpool is no stranger to MTSU. He has stepped into several leadership positions over the past few years, including interim vice president and associate vice president for business and finance, along with assistant vice president of compliance and enterprise risk management. Before coming to MTSU, he held multiple finance-related roles with the Tennessee Department of Education.

— Karli Sutton (Karli.Sutton@mtsu.edu)