Members of the Kansas Board of Regents want the next president of ESU to be an exceptional and talented leader, be dedicated to and passionate about public education and be highly involved in the local community.
The Regents met in a conference call this week and approved a job description for the next ESU president.
Andy Tompkins, president/CEO of the Regents, said it will take about two months to recruit candidates to the open job.
The regents will meet in the first week of October to review candidates and do screenings, Tompkins said. After an initial screening, the search committee will decide who to bring on campus to interview.
On-campus interviews will happen at the end of October or the first part of November, Tompkins said. The goal is to have a pool of three to five candidates to choose from in November and no later than December.
Tompkins praised ESU faculty, students, consultants and others who helped in the process of getting the job description together, calling it a “good process to get to where we are now.”
The next president will lead a total of 728 staff, an enrollment of 6,200 students and a 218-acre campus.
The job description outlines several areas of opportunities and expectations for leadership.
The new president should strengthen student recruitment and enrollment management, including exploring how to build and expand international recruitment.
To further student enrollment, the president should seek cooperation with partners in the region, such as Flint Hills Technical College, in order to build synergies through articulation agreements, joint programs and offerings that would capitalize on ESU strengths.
The president is also expected to build support and revenue streams for ESU.
Preferred qualifications and qualities
The Regents want the next ESU president to be an exceptional and talented leader, be dedicated to and passionate about public higher education and the impact that institutions can have on their region and society as a whole.
The president is expected to serve as an active participant in the community, a model of citizenship and a strong advocate for the ESU’s values of academic qualify, student support and success concern for its people and regional/global citizenship.
Other preferred qualities and qualifications include:
• The president must be able to forge highly effective, productive relationships with a broad range of people, groups, organizations and entities.
• The president must also possess seasoned administrative and management skills in order to lead effectively a complex, multi-faceted organization that is facing an array of complex challenges and opportunities.
• The president must be able to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for gathering input from the internal and external communities while moving the University forward.
• Strong educational credentials including an advanced degree and a broad understanding and appreciation of academic life including teaching, scholarship and service are essential, with an earned doctorate highly preferred.
In addition, the president will demonstrate:
• Capacity to establish a compelling vision for the University and develop support and engagement amongst a variety of constituencies;
• A servant leadership philosophy – respectful, willing to engage ESU’s stakeholders in decision-making and always placing the institution and students first;
• An understanding of the advantages and challenges facing a regional, public comprehensive university in contemporary society, and how to capitalize on the strengths of its people and programs;
• A strong advocate and spokesperson for the University in the community, the region and the state;
• The ability to lead and model productive recruitment, retention and engagement of faculty, staff and students;
• A track record of effective institutional advancement efforts, and a willingness to be an active participant in fund-raising activities of all types;
• The ability to communicate the University’s mission, values and role in the Emporia community and to create a welcoming environment for the community on the campus;
• The ability and desire to maintain a high level of visibility and involvement with student life through attendance at student, cultural, athletic and social events;
• Experience with shared governance;
• An understanding of the role of the president in working with an affiliated foundation board, coupled with the ability to support board education and development;
• Understanding of public institutions of higher learning;
• An understanding of and ability to articulate the value and potential inherent in a diverse community;
• Approachability, personal warmth, transparency and open-mindedness; and
• A willingness to make difficult decisions.
sail (anonymous) says...
Regents are concerned about enrollment too. RDA /chamber....better start getting your act together and read between the lines. ESU is not an employer to take for granted in these economic times......
July 21, 2011 at 5:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
This appointment will be important for both ESU and Emporia.Lets see if our committee will be up to the charge of getting the best man or woman.We need another Dr John King at this time ,one who will lead ESU to new heights.
July 21, 2011 at 6:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Sail, you are absolutly right. He knew how to beat the bureaucrats at their own game. He adaptated a policy of shifting things around to get the maximum benifit for the colllege. He was one of the first college president's to introduce programs and various infrastructure for handicap students and the community.
July 21, 2011 at 9:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://books.google.com/books?id=3t84...
July 21, 2011 at 9:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
July 21, 2011 at 9:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
When DR.KING was president, we had a housing director and the greatest expansion in student housing. He told one developer if we would build the apartments, he would guarantee that they would be rented. Today that probably would not be politicaly correct.
July 21, 2011 at 9:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
sail and reddog.
You two may be willing to set the future of Emporia and ESU on one person, or one entity. Sorry, that is not how it works. Especially today. For too long we have become dependent on the RDA for future growth of our city. Now some are calling for ESU and it's leadership to be the new saviour of the Emporia area. While higher learning is a part of a better life, it is the INDIVIDUAL and their drive which makes for a better lifestyle. Lower taxes and individual thought are the main drivers of economic development. It is not something we can harness by hiring a certain individual, or taxing our way to prosperity.
I honestly believe that if we didn't hire a president at ESU for a year or more, NOT ONE PERSON would realize it and it would not hurt the enrollment at ESU.
And if you get right down to it, WHAT PURPOSE do the regents serve? If their job was a volunteer job with no pay, would those who have the future Kansas be involved?
Or is it just another job for someone seeking an easy paycheck?
Waiting for the blowback.
July 21, 2011 at 10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I AGREE we can do without the regents selecting the new president. We need a President from the private business sector.
http://www.academicleadership.org/art...
July 21, 2011 at 10:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
MARK TWAIN on college presidents.
http://www.twainquotes.com/President....
July 21, 2011 at 10:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I agree with Leon Botstein who said, "at best, most college presidents are running something that is somewhere between a faltering corporation and a hotel." A good reason to consider someone from the private sector.
July 21, 2011 at 10:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I REST MY CASE.
http://c250.columbia.edu/c250_celebra...
July 21, 2011 at 11:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
ALTHOUGH Ike was military, these folks make great leaders.
July 21, 2011 at 11:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
A good http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHSnnt... to college education.
July 21, 2011 at 11:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Steve,ESU is the KEYSTONE to Emporia W/O ESU this town will fall down.I know some think my comments are sounding like chicken little"the sky is falling",but I remember loosing one college in Emporia in the 70s.The economic fruits Emporia would reap from an increase in enrolloment at ESU would be shared by all.If the rda is willing to spend money on retail dev ,which will cause a drain of money out of Emporia to the company home offices, then why wont they invest in increasing students to ESU where the money can be spent in local owned business where the profits stay in Emporia.
July 22, 2011 at 8:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Wish the rda/chamber would get their head out of the sand and look at what direction the town is headed.When you are at 65% of the state median household income ITS NOT A FINE DAY IN EMPORIA. We need a change of course now,what they the leaders are doing now is not working,its as though they are rearranging the deck chairs on the TITANIC thinking that it will make a difference.
July 22, 2011 at 8:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Sail,
I did not mean to come off like I did there. That was Hiram Walker talking. I do agree that ESU is a huge part of Emporia and its future. I also agree that the mindset at the RDA and chamber could use some refreshing, now and again. Now it's nice that ESU has the biggest bang for the buck in businesses degrees in the nation. But just look at the demand for business degrees. Don't know the answer, and it's giving me a headache. Think I'll drive down to Joplin and see if I can get the wife a job there at Modine ;>)
July 22, 2011 at 9:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
I know what you mean, ive hinted at KC with my other half too.Cant make my friday apt with MR Crawford,hope to see him next week.Stay indoors and stay cool friend.
July 22, 2011 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
landinkansas (anonymous) says...
Agree with Sail. If ESU "fails", Emporia is really in trouble. But, ESU is not a savior either. Somewhere in between, a very important cog in the wheel. I do think ESU needs solid leadership (President). One person guiding the ship. An institiution or business can sustain itself for a period of time without leadership but it cannot & will not advance (take our country right now for example....oops, did I say that). A president who will lead, work with the student body, city, rda, mainstreet, ect. to build and grow the university & the city. Both have to grow. Those groups need to work together to improve the city and surrounding business area's. Attract the kids.
I said this earlier in the week on a differerent post - Emporia used to be "the place" to go. People didn't leave Emporia on the weekends, they came to Emporia on the weekends. It was fun, exciting, always something going on, always something to do. NOT NOW?
Kids want things to do, plain & simple. They are full of energy and most of them have Mom & Dads money in their pockets. And they have no intention of saving it for a rainy day!
Think if you were a perspective college student looking at schools. I think the on campus facilities at ESU are on par with most universities of its size. Maybe even better in some cases. Good start to a campus visit - Now start looking at the surrounding areas of town (restaurants, bars, pubs, fun / necessary places, ect) Nothing around the school, uh oh? How about after the campus visit with Mom & Dad, you want to walk across the street and have a quick lunch at a Wings & More" (or something similar) to check out the locals and talk. Oops, Emporia only has a Subway near the campus with poor service. First impressions are lasting.......?
The economic impact to the town can be significant. Get out you calculators and do a little "what if" math. "What if" - grow the student population by 1000, each student on average spends an extra $150 a month in town because there is a lot to do, ect. Tremendous potential. And, having kids around, having fun, enjoying life is invigorating for EVERYONE. It makes you feel good.
Make this a priority and everyone wins.
July 22, 2011 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I went to college during the days of the Full Moon cafe, a place around 12th and Commercial near the campus that was busy all the time and was a great place for kids to hoist a few, drink tea, discuss issues, and read poetry. I know, so very "yesterday. But for the times, it worked. So did the 4th Avenue Boardwalk and The Attic. Those were all buzzing places.
I was a non-trad student, and when I graduated from college in 1985, only 18 of us wore the light blue and white tassle of a degree in Education. A huge number wore gold and white tassles for a Business degree. It's the same today as it was then. People are in the market for business degrees because Dow Jones runs the country. People with Education degrees don't make a great deal of money, but educating young people is what floats their boats. That is what floated mine. Unfortunately, the people in Education soon become the public whipping boys when anything goes wrong. Hell, why didn't I get a business degree and be like my daughter, running a company's entire eastern region? Oh well, I digress, don't get me wrong, I loved my teaching experience, and I did a very good job too.
BUT, ESU knows their business school is in big demand and they take good care of it and market it well. Their business school is also award winning. Their professors have won many awards for their own personal work. Let's not forget that.
I agree with sail. ESU is indeed the keystone of Emporia and without it, the town would fall down. Has anyone in the city's leadership ever thought to do a mini study of how much the payroll is on that campus? Look at how many people they support. Besides professors, support personnel and maintenance people are involved. Collectively, lots of "ching" on that campus.
Yes. Our leaders need to learn how to take advantage of that school being here. They don't seem to have as much to do with it as they should.
Our leaders have a tendency to do a lot of hit/miss things, or small things that don't seem to amount to anything.
July 22, 2011 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Steve, the Modine you are referring to. Did they move to Joplin from here? Or has that Modine always been there in Joplin?
If they moved to Joplin from here, why? I thought they moved from here to Mexico.
Just wonderin'.
July 22, 2011 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
landinkansas,
Your comments are right on target. Yes, first impressions are so important.
My daughter has been visiting all week and she has been mentioning first impressions. She drove in from the airport in KC and used the east entrance.
She asked, "What does a person see upon entering Emporia from the east?" Decline.
North? Slightly better, but student housing could use some dolling up. She said they look like public housing.
Industrial? Very well-developed, excellent placement of stores although Taco Bell sure could take better care of their corner.
We didn't go to other entrances. But overall, she says she could see a low income town. She just shook her head at the Mall. But, she also said that we must understand that malls are simply not being used all over the country. Many are being razed. Strip malls are the thing. People don't necessarily want to go into a huge shopping center to shop anymore. It's not convenient.
I can't disagree with her. We are not a high dollar town. However, despite our status, we should still be able to present ourselves in a better way than we do now, especially at our entrances.
BTW, she did mention the crumbling sidewalks and the potholes, including those areas where merchants themselves are responsible for repairs. Her comments all came about as a result of our lengthy discussion of Emporia's involvement with the Rand McNally contest. She grew up here so she can make some pretty astute observations. Besides, she does this for a living and I do respect her opinion as a result. If these opinions were coming from my cousin Bob the mailman, I wouldn't put too much store in them.
July 22, 2011 at 1:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
The plant in Joplin has been there for a while. The plant is working three- eight hour shifts seven days a week.
Emporia's plant was sold to another company, "Proliance" ? which moved the local operations to Mexico. I think they have since went belly up, not for sure. Couldn't get Linda a job in Joplin. She was happy, I was sad.
We did get to see some former Emporia friends while there. There is an awfully nice Casino nearby too! "DOWNSTREAM CASINO"
July 23, 2011 at 7 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )