Emporia State President Matthew Baker has had a busy month since he started his official duties. And, he says, it’s getting busier.
Part of that work involves a quick but thorough strategic planning process, as he mentioned on KVOE’s ESU Buzz on Thursday. Baker says it’s considering local and regional needs, and it’s getting input from different alumni advisory boards to gauge what programs can get students ready for the workforce. It’s also casting a relatively wide net on campus to help foster ideas.
On the other side is program reviews as ESU determines whether certain programs get pulled.
Baker comes to Emporia State after nearly 30 years in several different leadership roles at Northwest Missouri State — and he comes to ESU as the university had its best enrollment growth semester in years, with growth seen almost across the board. Spring semester numbers aren’t available now, but Baker says he sees some good trends underway.
Part of the recruitment conversation includes the realization that the atmosphere has changed dramatically over the last 30 years.
That change in focus — and a significant push by ESU’s leadership team and the ESU Foundation under former president Ken Hush — has led to an explosion of scholarship opportunities.
And discussions continue on whether to have a second Year of Celebration on campus as well as things like generating revenue, cutting costs and making higher education more affordable for students.
Baker says he’s “very passionate about organizational culture and community culture,” and he says it’s “critical” that Emporia and ESU have a good relationship.
Residents have a chance to meet Baker as part of a special event May 14 at Champions Landing. ESU also has its open house for the brand-new Nursing & Student Wellness Center from 1-4 pm Saturday, with the National Teachers Hall of Fame’s induction activities in mid-June, including the National Memorial to Fallen Educators re-dedication at 10 am June 20, followed by the official induction banquet and ceremony that evening.
