President

Kansas State University (K-State) seeks an experienced, accomplished and authentic leader with a strong commitment to student access and success, and the mission of land-grant institutions, to serve as its next president. 

Kansas State University is a comprehensive, research, land-grant institution serving students and the people of Kansas, the nation and the world. Since its founding in 1863, the university has evolved into a modern institution of higher education, committed to quality programs, and responsive to a rapidly changing world and the aspirations of an increasingly diverse society. Research and other creative endeavors comprise an essential component of K-State’s mission. All faculty members contribute to the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge, applications and products. These efforts, supported by public and private resources, are conducted in an atmosphere of open inquiry and academic freedom. 

Kansas State University and its 1,300 faculty educate more than 20,000 total students and provide some of the best global food systems and biosecurity research in the world. The university is progressing toward its goal of becoming a premier public research university. The university has nine academic colleges and offers more than 250 majors and options. The Graduate School offers more than 159 graduate degrees and certificates in multiple disciplines. The Princeton Review recognizes the university as one of the nation’s best colleges, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities designated Kansas State University as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. Commonly referred to as K-State, the university is proud of its welcoming environment and considers all K-Staters as family. 

Reporting to the Board of Regents, the president serves as the university’s chief executive officer, providing leadership in support of the institution’s mission to foster excellence in teaching, research and service toward developing a highly skilled and educated citizenry necessary to advance the well-being of Kansas, the nation, and the global community. K-State’s next president should be a visible and engaged leader who is able to work effectively and at ease with state and federal representatives, and build productive and collaborative relationships with both internal and external constituents and stakeholders. The president will advocate for K-State’s commitment to developing economic prosperity locally, regionally and across the state in fulfillment of its land-grant mission and in alignment with the Kansas Board of Regents plan, Building a Future: Higher Education’s Commitment to Kansas Families, Businesses and the Economy. Furthermore, the president will be responsible for advancing the university’s current strategic plan, K-State 2025, while ensuring it maintains its status as a premier land-grant institution in support of local, regional and statewide communities.

The incoming president should possess a demonstrated track record of successful leadership with significant administrative and leadership experience at an institution or organization of comparable size, scope and complexity. The president should be a person of high integrity and character with strong interpersonal, collaboration, diplomacy and communication skills. A commitment to student access and success, teaching excellence and entrepreneurial research activity that has a lasting impact on the state, nation and world will be important. The president should have the skill to manage a highly complex, multisite institution, posse a deep knowledge and understanding of a mission-focused, distinctive land-grant university, demonstrate facility in managing a budget in excess of $914.3 million and have the ability to oversee the opportunities and complexities involved in hosting an NCAA Division I athletics program. Additionally, the president should be an experienced fundraiser, and prepared to engage donors, alumni and community leaders in fundraising and development activities. The president should be a highly visible and accessible leader, both on and off campus, value transparency in the decision-making process and have a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, which can be found at www.wittkieffer.com. 

WittKieffer is assisting Kansas State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by October 15, 2021. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D, Suzanne Teer, Jeff Compher and Sandra Chu at K-StatePresident@wittkieffer.com.

Equal opportunity employer

Kansas State University is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Kansas State University actively seeks diversity among its employees.

Kansas State University Notice of Nondiscrimination

Kansas State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military status, or veteran status, in the University's programs and activities as required by applicable laws and regulations. The person designated with responsibility for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning nondiscrimination policies is the University s Title IX Coordinator: the Director of the Office of Institutional Equity, equity@k-state.edu, 103 Edwards Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4801, 785-532-6220. The campus ADA Coordinator is the Director of Employee Relations, charlott@k-state.edu, who may be reached at 103 Edwards Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-4801, 785-532-6277.