President

Pittsburg State
University
Pittsburg, Kansas

PRESIDENT
The Kansas Board of Regents and the Pittsburg State University community invite nominations and applications for the position of President of Pittsburg State University. Located in the progressive, self-made community of Pittsburg, the university boasts premier facilities for hands-on, industry-sought academic programs, perennially competitive intercollegiate athletic teams, globally recognized performing arts events, and a host of uniquely close partnerships that serve to transform the lives of students and the community. As the home of the Gorillas, the only gorilla mascot in the NCAA, the spirit of Pittsburg State University is thoroughly infused throughout the region. To lead the institution, the Board seeks a growth-oriented, proven leader who will build on the university's foundation of good fiscal management, unique program delivery, and exceptional relationships with its host city to drive recruitment and retention while advancing the university's mission to provide transformational experiences for its students and the community.

Founded in 1903, Pittsburg State's residential and online undergraduate and graduate student population of 6,000 is guided by an exceptionally talented and dedicated faculty, staff, and administrative team numbering about 750, and operates on a $110 million annual budget. A vibrant living-learning environment invites students from across the region, the nation, and the globe to be part of the robust "Gorilla Nation" spirit, while engaged in learning in the university's four colleges: College of Arts and Sciences, Kelce College of Business, College of Education, and the College of Technology. Pittsburg State University has institutional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission. The university offers a unique hands-on learning environment at the Kansas Technology Center and maintains extensive partnerships with industry. Gorilla student-athletes compete in 12 NCAA Division II sports and receive exceptional fan support from the broad university community. Pittsburg State University is a member of the MidAmerica Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

EXPECTATIONS
Pittsburg State University's presidential search committee expects an inspiring, approachable, leader of integrity. This individual must be a dynamic, politically astute, forward-thinking president who will be a forthright champion of the university. The president must embrace a genuine commitment to the university's core values: student-focused, excellence, "by doing learn," diversity, community, innovation, and sustainability.

The new president will come to Pittsburg State University with knowledge of and experience in higher education issues and environments. The successful candidate must be able to balance academic and administrative excellence with the ability to be the voice and face of the university in the city, state, and the region. The president must work diligently to support a collaborative governance environment, using a consultative style with attentiveness to professional development for faculty and staff. The president will lend progressive guidance to a new strategic plan and will be an authentic collaborator who continually strives to improve the student experience.

Pittsburg State University's new president must be an entrepreneurial, enterprising, empowering presence. As a staunch university advocate, the next president must nurture the close-knit, mutually cooperative relationship with the City of Pittsburg by building and maintaining diverse partnerships and collaborations for the well-being of the university, the community, the Board, the system, statewide interests, and the State of Kansas, as well as national and international partners.

CHARACTERISTICS
The successful candidate should possess the following characteristics:

•  Have an authentic, caring, teach-first focus that prioritizes access, success, quality experiences, and career readiness for all students;

•  Be committed to an engaged, visible leadership style, actively present with students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, fans, and the community;

•  Be an effective communicator and active listener with an approachable, transparent, open-door, high integrity servant leader style;

•  Have an understanding of regional public enrollment challenges and has a bold, data-driven approach to academic planning and recruitment/retention strategy;

•  Have experience in the unique financial strategy required for regional public institutions;

•  Be informed, engaging, and serve as a savvy policy and funding advocate at the local, state, and federal level;

•  Understand the value of alumni, donors, and the PSU Foundation in enhancing fundraising and long-term financial health;

•  Possess the skills to strengthen partnerships with city, regional, K-12 schools, businesses, and industry
•  Have an awareness and understanding of the realities of faculty life in a collective bargaining environment;

•  Be supportive of technological innovation, industry input, and evolving student expectations in teaching practices and program development;

•  Be a champion of applied learning opportunities, connecting students with hands-on experiences and workforce partnerships in the region;

•  Be able to quickly gain an understanding of existing large-scale projects and lead them to financially responsible and timely completions;

•  Be supportive of a strong NCAA Division II athletics program and recognizes its role in
university engagement, recruitment, and school spirit;

•  Demonstrate skills in investing in organizational health, employee motivation, and competitive compensation;

•  Be committed to high-quality student, faculty, staff, and public campus spaces;

•  Have senior-level higher education leadership experience at a regional university similar in size and mission to PSU (preferred but not required); and

•  Have an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education (preferred but not required).
HOW TO APPLY:

Dr. Pelema Ellis, Partner,

Or you can send an email to:

Applications should include a 1) current CV and 2) a letter of interest that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications described above.

Priority consideration will be given to materials received by the preferred submission date of May 9, 2025.

To ensure we can attract a quality applicant pool, the entire search is confidential until the Kansas Board of Regents announces the next President.

For full search profile, please visit

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