Come Saturday, Allison Garrett will no longer be leading Emporia State University.
As you know, Garrett, the university’s 17th president and the university’s leader since 2016, is becoming the chancellor and chief executive officer for the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. As she leaves, she sees signs of Emporia State’s success throughout her tenure — as she mentioned on her final appearance on KVOE’s ESU Buzz on Thursday.
ESU has also seen significant construction projects, including the construction of the Kossover Family Tennis Complex, Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center and Schallenkamp Hall along with the renovations to Abigail Morse Hall.
During the interview, Garrett thanked students, faculty, staff and administrators for the university’s success, and she says the university is trending in the right direction despite budget cuts due in part to lower state aid and pandemic-based enrollment dips. As the Kansas Board of Regents begins the search for an interim president and, ultimately, a permanent leader, Garrett encouraged the board to find a person who collaborates well at several different levels. She says collaboration has become a hallmark of Emporia State’s approach, and that has benefited the decision-making process on and off campus.
