Emporia State University’s recent successes both financially and in student headcount have been well documented in recent weeks; however, some have been asking, “Is it sustainable?”
That was the question KVOE posed to retiring ESU President Ken Hush during the most recent installment of the ESU Buzz Thursday morning. Hush says he believes it is given the amount of time and analysis that’s been put into the restructuring of the university over the last three and a half years.
He adds that while there have been great strides, the university cannot rest on its laurels as the education landscape is constantly evolving.
To recap, the university has managed to overcome a $19 million budget deficit, has kept tuition rates flat for the past two years, saw a six percent increase in student headcount, including an 8 percent increase in undergraduate student enrollment and has increased its list of scholarship offerings. All of this comes as a result of the reinvestment model developed by ESU and approved by the Kansas Board of Regents back in 2022, which drew criticism from many, as in addition to the successes, it also saw the dismissal of several tenured or tenure-track employees.
Hush says that was a difficult decision to make; however, one he believes needed to be done and he and his administration apparently weren’t the only ones who thought so.
As he looks towards retirement come December, Hush stated in his interview with KVOE News that he hopes the next ESU president will continue to run the university “In a CEO manner” similar to how he has. He says it is essential in his mind to find someone who is not afraid to make the hard choices to help the university stay the course it has found itself on in recent years.
Hush’s appearance on the Morning Show on Thursday comes as interest in the president’s position is rising, according to the latest update from Presidential Search Committee Chairman Jim Kessler. Details on the search committee’s progress can be found by clicking here.
