Ken Hush didn’t take much time to enjoy his retirement.
In less than a month after stepping down as Emporia State University President, Hush returned to the work he was doing before he was tapped by the Kansas Board of Regents to lead the university on an interim basis back in late 2021, this time for the Kansas Legislative Coordinating Council. Last week, leadership approved a five-month contract with Hush that will see him paid $10,000 per month to consult the legislature on higher education budgets.
Hush’s main objective will be to locate areas of efficiency in university budgets to assist with decision-making as lawmakers are set to attempt to significantly reduce spending over the course of the current legislative session, possibly by as much as $200 million. The contract also came in the same week that state universities, including Emporia State, provided testimony to the Higher Education Budget Committee.
During his three-year tenure as interim and later permanent President, Hush spearheaded initiatives that saw the university make a significant turnaround in finances, student retention and recruitment, scholarship opportunities and the creation of new programs and facilities, including the new ESU Nursing and Student Wellness Center.
Hush retired from the role of President on December 17th, with Dr. Taylor Kriley, current Executive Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success, elevated to the role of Interim President until March, when recently named President Matthew Baker is set to assume his new duties after nearly three decades at Northwest Missouri State University.
