It’s early in the process, but Jim Kessler is pleased with where things stand as he leads the search for Emporia State University’s next president.
Kessler updated KVOE listeners on the ESU Buzz on Thursday. He says he is pleased to lead the work — and he was taken aback when asked.
Kessler says there are already some strong indicators about the board’s makeup, although the lineup won’t be confirmed until the Kansas Board of Regents makes the announcement.
The Kansas Board of Regents has partnered with CBIZ to help with the search. The goal is to narrow down the unranked list of candidates to five or six to the Board of Regents by late November, with a new president named by late December. Kessler says he sees several key qualities for a new leader.
Kessler also says the Board of Regents likes the direction Emporia State has headed under Hush’s leadership.
The search is on after current President Ken Hush announced his upcoming retirement in late July. He plans to end his tenure in mid-December, closing down a better-than-three-year tenure as university leader, first as interim president following the work of Allison Garrett and then as permanent president as named in 2022.
Kessler says the work comes as there are several reasons for excitement on campus, including the Year of Celebration activities revolving around athletics. ESU has announced free general admission for all home sports events this year. This also comes with some indications pointing to increased enrollment, although numbers won’t be final until later this fall.
