Michael Shonrock, the first Emporia State University presidential candidate to visit, saw his position eliminated at Texas Tech University in March.
According to several news sources, Shonrock’s senior vice president for enrollment management and student affairs position was one of three cut by Texas Tech because of budget cuts. Shonrock has been working as a faculty member since the cut to the administrative position.
Chris Cook, director of communications and marketing at Texas Tech, said the position was eliminated because of budget cuts for education in the state of Texas.
“There are budget cuts even in the great state of Texas,” said Shonrock at a press conference this morning. “The president was wanting to do some reorganization, which is not unusual, it happens all the time in higher education. Not only was it my area but senior level positions were divvied back up in the University among three other areas.”
Shonrock was also one of two finalists for Southeast Louisiana University president in February. He withdrew his candidacy for that position.
Prior to his appointment at Texas Tech University as senior vice president for auxiliary services, enrollment management, and student affairs, and associate professor of educational psychology and leadership, Shonrock earned two graduate degrees from Kansas – a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas and an Ed.S. from Pittsburg State University. A native of Chicago, Ill., Shonrock is a Distinguished Alumnus of Western Illinois University, where he earned M.S. and B.S. degrees. He is a recipient of multiple honors at Texas Tech University, including the University College of Education Friends of Education Award; the Office of International Affairs Global Vision Award; the Student Government Association Double T Award; the Will Rogers Award; the Texas Tech Parent’s Association Distinguished Service Award; and the Texas Association of Student Personnel Administrators Distinguished Service Award.
ESU faculty, staff and students along with community members had the opportunity to ask Shonrock questions during a one-hour forum Wednesday evening.
Shonrock began by sharing some of his personal and professional experiences before fielding questions from the audience.
The questions covered a wide array of topics, including Shonrock’s philosophies on recruiting and retention, leadership abilities and school and community and administration, faculty and students relationships.
Currently the senior vice president for auxiliary services at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Tex., Shonrock said the most important part of leadership is listening.
“If you listen, you can hear people,” said Shonrock.
Shonrock has ties to Kansas and to ESU. He earned two graduate degrees from the University of Kansas one a Ph.d in academic preparation in 1991 and an Ed.S from Pittsburg State University. His wife Karen’s brother, Matt Corkery, was an associate basketball coach for the Lady Hornets.
Shonrock described himself as a strategist, which gives him the ability to see results.
“I’m very strategic,” said Shonrock. “When you’re strategic you can see the big picture. I can visualize how things work and how they are not working.”
The topic most addressed by the audience was Shonrock’s experience with recruiting and retention of students and faculty.
“Everyone has to be a cheerleader for the university,” said Shonrock. “The ‘Empowered by E’ campaign, I think that’s a good opportunity to build on those types of things.”
When trying to recruit globally, Shonrock said it was important for a university to have an international feel to its website.
“First and foremost, how many people access whether undergraduate or graduate is through the website,” he said. “Is it changing? Is there a connection there? Are there little things like ‘click here’ to read it in this language? Sometimes it could just be a welcome from students from that country.
“People have to see other folks like them on your website and in your publications.”
Shonrock also sees the importance of retaining talented faculty.
“The students you have right now are the ones right here,” he said. “The best faculty and staff are the ones right here. Now how do you keep them? The brain drain, the loss of depth is incredible for an institution. Especially when your trying to build your image.”
Taking an active role in recruiting is something that is important for a college president, according to Shonrock.
“You got to be out there where you can,” he said. “Giving out your business cards, talking to parents. I think you need to be very visible.”
Once the students arrive on campus they become a part of the community, which strengthens the relationship between the ESU and the rest of the community.
At Texas Tech, Shonrock was involved in a community visioning project in which Texas Tech partnered with the community to help develop a better town-gown relationship.
“We are better together than we are being separate,” he said.