Emporia State Provost George Arasimowicz hasn’t been on campus all that long, but he’s been tasked with leading the university on an acting basis.
Arasimowicz was chosen as university provost in April after the retirement of David Cordle. Before coming to Emporia, he served as Central State University’s dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. He has an associate diploma in piano performance from Royal Conservatory of Toronto, a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Toronto, an honors bachelor of arts in English and history from Carleton University, a master of arts from McGill University and a doctorate from the University of California, San Diego.
Arasimowicz is serving as the acting president, not the interim. That selection will be announced later. He may not be in the role for long, but he plans to take an active role in university leadership every day he has the title.
Current President Allison Garrett, who has led Emporia State since replacing Michael Shonrock in 2016, will become chancellor and chief executive officer for the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education later this month. Her last day at ESU is Oct. 15.
Regents Chair Cheryl Harrison-Lee says Arasimowicz has a “depth of experience” that will serve him and the university well as ESU transitions to a new leader. The Board of Regents has not announced its upcoming steps in the search but plans to finalize its plan at upcoming meetings.
