Emporia State University is already searching for a president and provost. It can now add another administrative position to that list.
James Williams, Emporia State’s vice president for student affairs for nearly 20 years, is retiring in July, according to a campus communication from Interim President Ken Hush. Williams has been unavailable for comment.
Williams came to Emporia State in 1996 as associate director of residential life before becoming VP for student affairs in 2004. Williams was involved in several campus improvement projects like the renovation of the Memorial Union, construction of Schallenkamp Hall and renovations to the Towers Complex and Abigail Morse Hall.
Williams has also been involved in numerous community boards, including Flint Hills Technical College, Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, SOS, Newman Regional Health and William Allen White Community Partnership.
Williams’ retirement comes with the university in the midst of a search for a permanent president following Allison Garrett’s move to Oklahoma last fall as well as a separate search for provost after George Arasimowicz and ESU parted ways just months after Arasimowicz came to campus from Ohio.
