Since late 2022, Emporia State University leadership has been heavily focused on increasing efficiency and streamlining operations on campus as part of a structural realignment effort, which has just recently entered a new phase.
Phase III focuses on “Transformative change and program optimization” as outlined in a letter to the ESU campus from President Ken Hush Tuesday. The latest phase of work included several leadership appointments:
Kelly Heine: Executive Vice President of Operations
Angela Wolgram: Executive Vice President, Finance
Greg Schneider: Assistant Vice President, Academic Affairs, Strategy and Government Relations
Cory Falldine: Chief Economic Officer and Interim Dean of the School of Business and Technology
Steven Lovett: Legal and Strategic Consultant
Tyler Pettigrew: Associate General Counsel and Risk Management
Sarah McKernan: Promoted to Chief of Staff and Executive Officer
Hush says the new appointments will require each individual to “wear multiple hats” which he says will lead to “total efficiency” as rather than having two or more individuals handling the same responsibilities the duties will fall to a single individual.
As mentioned, this is the third phase of the university’s structural realignment that began in the fall of 2022 when ESU leadership submitted its Framework for Workforce Management to the Kansas Board of Regents. In that time, the university has seen the fruits of those labors reflected in lower student costs and a 16 percent increase in new student enrollment year-to-year between 2023 and 2024, according to the letter from Hush.
It also, however, has led to criticism at times, namely due to the dismissal of more than 30 employees back in 2022 shortly after the plan was approved. While regrettable, Hush says these changes were necessary and believes they could have been done more incrementally if they had been done 10-20 years earlier.
Hush also stated that Emporia State’s proactive efforts to “increase efficiencies and streamline operations” on campus put ESU “ahead of the curve” noting that many other institutions are now having to make many of the same adjustments.
Letter from ESU President Ken Hush to ESU campus community
May 13, 2025
Dear Campus Community,
Today marks a new beginning for Emporia State University as we enter Phase III which is the process to transform the university.
- Phase I Talent Identification + Assessment
- Phase II Creating Operational Efficiency
- Phase III Transformative Change + Program Optimization (we are here)
Over the last three years, the campus community has made significant progress to set the university up for a viable and vibrant future.
- STUDENTS – STUDENTS – STUDENTS – Solicited feedback + aligned resources to best serve today’s students
- Continuous assessment and response to local / national trends + student demand
- Restructured Academic Affairs and embedded academic program review as standard practice
- Exponentially increased revenue streams from ESU Foundation, private entities + the State of Kansas
- Implemented numerous initiatives to create efficiencies + streamline operations
- Launched work to evolve the student experience on campus to improve student retention + success
To date, we have successfully reduced expenses, invested in key programs and lowered costs for students. As a result, Emporia State has become one of the most efficient institutions in the state. Additionally, new student enrollment increased 16% year over year; first-year retention increased 8% (Fall 2024); and the 1st to 2nd term retention rate was 93% — the highest in 20+ years (2024 cohort).
These are accomplishments to be proud of — thank you to all who contributed to this progress. Your efforts have been, and will continue to be, instrumental as we move forward.
I am honored to share that Bill McKernan, assistant vice president for facilities, has announced his retirement. Bill has been an invaluable part of the team. During his tenure he improved how we operate our total university facilities; created operational efficiencies; led the reduction of our campus footprint by 20%; oversaw the completion of a space utilization study and an updated Campus Master Plan; and has led the process for the construction of our new Nursing + Student Wellness building – Emporia State’s first new building since 1979. Bill’s last day on campus as a full-time employee is June 30. Please join me in congratulating Bill!
Now, as we look forward, we begin the work to take our transformation to the next level. In this phase we are focused on becoming a student-first university that delivers the academic programs that best meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s students.
I am announcing the following changes in our university leadership structure
to help us achieve our goals.
Effective immediately, reporting directly to me, Kelly Heine and Angela Wolgram are accountable for leading the university — including vision, strategy, direction and driving action from all parts of campus to move ESU forward.
Kelly Heine, Executive Vice President Operations
In this role, Kelly is responsible for overseeing the identification and achievement of university outcome-driven priorities and facilitating strategic direction and will oversee university operations. Reporting to Kelly will be:
- Taylor “TK” Kriley, Vice President Student Success
- Kala Maxfield, Vice President University Growth
- Peter Hauff, Interim Director Facilities
- Doug Polston, Associate Vice President Information Technology + CIO
- Tyler Pettigrew, Associate General Counsel + Risk Management
- Jerry Cook, Chief of Police, ESU Police + Safety
Angela Wolgram, Executive Vice President Finance
In this role, Angela is responsible for strategic finance, budget, student financial aid and scholarship, institutional effectiveness + data. Reporting directly to Angela:
- Jennifer Balkenhol, Assistant Vice President Budget
- Jennifer Dalton, Assistant Vice President Finance
- Lacey Finley, Chief Data Officer + Executive Director Institutional Effectiveness
Greg Schneider, Assistant Vice President
Academic Affairs Strategy + Government Relations
In this new role, Greg will work with Provost Brent Thomas and will be responsible for overseeing the achievement of Academic Affairs outcomes-based priorities in alignment with our go-forward university strategy. Reporting to me, Greg will also continue to lead ESU’s Government Relations.
Cory Falldine, Chief Economic Officer +
Interim Dean of the School of Business + Technology
Cory will continue to be accountable for overseeing economic development and will oversee the successful launch of ESU’s new Cybersecurity academic program. As previously mentioned, Cory will also serve as interim dean of the School of Business + Technology until a permanent successor is announced.
Steven Lovett, Legal + Strategic Consultant
We continuously seek opportunities to be innovative and find new ways to create efficiency. Today we announce that Steve Lovett will transition from being a state employee to a third-party legal consultant for the university. In this new capacity, he will continue to provide legal guidance, strategy and leadership development consulting services. This approach provides flexibility for ESU and reduces overhead costs. It has been an honor to work with Steve, and we thank him for his service to Emporia State University. His strategic approach and unwavering determination have been key to moving ESU forward. We look forward to continuing to work with him in this new capacity. Please join me in congratulating Steve!
Tyler Pettigrew, Associate General Counsel + Risk Management
Tyler will serve as the main point of contact for legal matters on campus. He will also oversee compliance, risk and emergency management.
Sarah McKernan has been promoted to Chief of Staff and Executive Officer
Sarah will continue to be part of the senior leadership team in this elevated role that expands her responsibilities.
This new structural alignment demonstrates our commitment to continual assessment and adjustment of our organization to meet the needs of the institution. These changes will result in organizational reporting line shifts throughout the organization. You will receive additional information from your respective leader in the coming days. Until otherwise directed, continue to operate business as usual.
I look forward to continuing to work together to take Emporia State into its next phase.
Go Hornets!
Ken Hush
President
