History and overview

Pittsburg State University was founded in 1903 as the Kansas State Manual Training Normal School, originally a branch of the State Normal School of Emporia (now Emporia State University). With one building and 54 students, this new school would prepare teachers in curriculum areas vital to success and prosperity in the hands-on industrial age. In 1913, we became a full-fledged four-year institution as the Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg, or Pittsburg State for short. Over the next four decades, our mission was broadened beyond teacher training. To reflect this, in 1959, our name was changed again to Kansas State College of Pittsburg. We became Pittsburg State University on April 21, 1977.

More than a century later, that mission remains at the core of Pittsburg State University. By providing interactive, engaging courses throughout four distinct colleges, Pitt State transforms the lives of our students, our community, and the entire Southeast Kansas region. Located in the innovative, self-made city of Pittsburg, Kansas, our campus features the region’s premier facilities for hands-on technology and business education, athletics, and the arts. And we’re proud to be the only university in the nation with the Gorilla as our mascot.

A lot has changed since 1903. Location, name, logos, enrollment, etc. Change is inevitable. Change is valuable. But through it all, our belief in the power of education remains as strong and steadfast as the day we opened our doors to 54 people ready to change the world and themselves.

The main campus of Pittsburg State University is, in many ways, a community in and of itself. Along with our gorgeous historic academic buildings, our campus also boasts some of the nation’s premier facilities for athletics, recreation, fitness, and the arts. Overman Student Center also provides a variety of dining and shopping options for students and the community. 

Campus and community facts

Home to nearly 6,000 students, Pitt State provides all the benefits of a major college but with small class sizes and personalized experiences. The university offers more than 200 academic programs and emphasis areas across four colleges, including undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, EdS degrees, and a doctoral degree in Nursing. Our students enjoy an average class size of just 18 students and benefit from world-class faculty. More than 65,000 alumni proudly declare, "Once a Gorilla, Always a Gorilla.”

Pitt State employs well over one thousand part-time and full-time faculty and staff, students, graduate assistants, and researchers.

Designated as a micropolitan area, Pittsburg is the largest community in Southeast Kansas with more than 20,000 residents in the city and 40,000 in Crawford County. Pittsburg is located less than thirty miles from the Joplin, Missouri, metropolitan statistical area with a population of over 200,000. Pitt State is located in southeastern Kansas; Kansas City is located 120 miles North; Tulsa, Oklahoma is 125 miles southwest; Wichita is 160 miles west; and Springfield, Missouri is 95 miles east. For more information see: http://www.pittks.org.

Pittsburg State University offers a rich college experience with a broad selection of academic and social amenities.

• A beautiful 223-acre campus is home to state-of-the-art buildings that bring the real world to students
• Nearly 150 student organizations provide opportunities for engagement, community, and leadership
• Student Success and Life - Six-year student success rate (55%), Members of a student organization (17%)
• Current Enrollment Data - Total enrollment (5,732 students), Undergraduate (4,435 students), Graduate (1,297 students), (Pell Grant (28%), Underrepresented Students (21%), Student Athletes (367).
• Class of 2027 - First time in college (919 students), Kansas residents (64%), Average ACT (21), Average high school GPA (3.4). 

President Dr. Dan Shipp

He prefers just Dan — began his job as the 10th President of Pittsburg State University on June 6, 2022.

He came to Pitt State after having served as the vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and associate to the chancellor at University of Nebraska Medical Center, a public medical school in Omaha that is at the forefront of 21st Century health sciences education, innovative research, and patient care.

Considered to be a nationally recognized leader and innovator in higher education, Dan has designed educational and support programs, services, facilities, provided planning and project leadership at multiple universities, led initiatives to grow enrollment, and removed barriers for underserved students.

His career has included:

• serving as a classroom instructor for over two decades, teaching undergraduate education courses that have included leadership, social and emotional competency development, and service learning.
• serving as the vice chancellor for student success at both the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Medical Center.
• providing executive leadership to the Walter Scott Scholarship Program — Nebraska’s premiere STEM- based academic honors program.
• serving as the Associate Vice President of Student Life at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, where he was responsible for leading the campus effort to design and build the $40 million DeRosa University Center.
• providing leadership to the development of a series of award-winning student educational and success initiatives at the UP that led to significant improvements in overall student retention.
• serving as a founding member of the Center for Social and Emotional Competence and on the Center’s inaugural advisory board.
• serving as a senior student affairs leader at the University of Missouri, where he provided project leadership to the design, development, and implementation of what is widely recognized as one of the nation’s finest athletic and recreation facilities — the $50 million Mizzou Student Recreation Complex.

He earned a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from the University of the Pacific in California, a master of arts in education from the University of Nebraska Omaha, and a bachelor of arts in education from the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

He also is a graduate of Stanford’s design thinking executive education program. His academic areas of interest and study include leadership, social and emotional competency development, design thinking, collaboration, and resiliency.

Dan and his wife, Vanessa, are parents to three sons: Oliver, Finnegan, and Samuel.

Dan expressed his philosophy of life during his introduction to the campus by the Kansas Board of Regents to the campus in April, 2022 by quoting John Wesley, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."

The position

The Provost and Executive Vice President reports to the President and is responsible for the university’s academic enterprise which includes academic program planning and implementation, strategic research growth, and advancing regional economic development and community engagement outcomes. The Provost and Executive Vice President oversees the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, the Kelce College of Business, the College of Technology, economic development and community engagement, registrar, library, the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology, and academic affairs support units. This position serves as an essential member on the executive cabinet and the President’s leadership team. 

The Provost and Executive Vice President works daily with and will foster a working environment where students, staff, faculty, executive colleagues, the Kansas Board of Regents, and community members can thrive. Further, the Provost and Executive Vice President will bring a generous spirit, an engaged mindset, and a creative orientation to the work of ensuring that all members of our community are welcomed and we are vested in their success. We are seeking an engaged member of the Pittsburg, Kansas community that will embody a partnership-driven approach to cultivating shared success for Pittsburg State University and the local region. 

Academic leadership and faculty support

The Provost and Executive Vice President will provide vision and strategic leadership for academic research and community engagement functions, all academic programs, departments, schools, and colleges within the university. This role will also collaborate with faculty and academic deans to develop and implement academic policies, curriculum, and program initiatives. We expect a leader will ensure the maintenance of high academic standards, quality assurance, and compliance with accreditation requirements at all levels (university, college, department, and program). We are seeking a leader to foster a culture of innovation, accountability, research excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration within the academic community. In addition, we are seeking an academic leader to collaborate with student affairs leadership to enhance student engagement, wellness, and success promoting a vibrant campus life.

The Provost and Executive Vice President provides leadership and support for faculty recruitment, appointment, promotion, and the tenure process. We expect a leader to foster a culture of professional development and mentorship for faculty, and support their teaching, research, and service activities. This role will also promote multi-faceted betterment within the faculty community, ensuring equitable opportunities for professional growth. In addition, we seek a collaborative leader to partner with faculty governance bodies to address academic and faculty-related issues, fostering shared governance and faculty engagement. 

Economic development, community engagement, and external relations

The Provost and Executive Vice President will oversee the division of economic development and community engagement and work to foster collaborative partnerships and initiatives with other universities and institutions to enhance research, student exchange programs, regional economic development, and community engagement. This role will also be called upon to cultivate cooperative relationships, seeking ways to leverage our community assets and resources to address the needs of our unique institution and region. We are seeking a leader who genuinely values collaborative relationship building and has a community-first mindset.

The Provost and Executive Vice President will proactively engage with external stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and regional and community organizations, to advance the university’s mission and strategic priorities. This role will represent the university in external forums, conferences, and events, advocating for the institution’s academic interests and achievements. Our next leader will also represent the university on various councils and committees within the organizational structure of the Kansas Board of Regents. In this capacity, the Provost and Executive Vice President works with the academic leaders of our state universities and community colleges to support and advance higher education across Kansas. We expect a leader adept at the art of advocacy and equitable partnership creation, where all parties feel vested and supported in our shared mission. 

Resource allocation and strategic planning

The Provost and Executive Vice President will oversee the development and management of the university’s academic budget, including the allocation of resources to academic community. We expect a leader to work in collaboration with the university President and other senior administrators in developing and implementing the institutions’s strategic plan and aligning financial resources with institutional strategic priorities. Advocacy for adequate resources and funding is also expected in order to support academic initiatives, faculty recruitment, and student success. In addition, we are seeking a leader who will proactively evaluate and monitor the financial performance of academic programs, and identify areas for improvement and efficiency. 

Important Resources

Pittsburg State University Organizational Chart

Academic Affairs Org Chart

Qualifications 

Candidates must have the following educational and professional experiences:

• Doctoral degree in any academic field or discipline included in Pittsburg State University’s portfolio of degree programs.
• At least seven years of administration experience in higher education leadership.
• An academic record of teaching, research, and service that is tenurable within the hire’s respective home department.
• Strong knowledge of current trends, issues, and best practices in academic program planning, higher education leadership, translational research, student development, and community relations.
• Successful experience with developing innovative educational/co-curricular learning initiatives/ programs.
• Evidence of excellent collaboration skills.
• Evidence of strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• High level of emotional intelligence.

Preferred educational and professional experiences:

• Knowledge and experience with design thinking education and program development.
• Significant experience with strategic planning and program evaluation.
• Experience developing and managing budgets.
• Experience with academic accreditation. 

Buffkin / Baker is assisting Pittsburg State University on this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be directed to:

Dr. Pelema Ellis, Associate Partner, (831) 292-5757

Or you can send an email to: provostpittstate@buffkinbaker.com

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 March 1, 2024.

Mary Carol Pomatto, co-chair
Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Paul Grimes, co-chair
Dean, Kelce College of Business

Bryronni Ferguson
Executive Director, Provost Office

Melinda Roelfs
Assistant Vice President, Registrar

Susan Dellasega
Director, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology

Jim Truelove
Dean, College of Education

Judy Smetana
Interim Associate Dean, College of Technology

Robert Lindsey
Interim Dean, Library Services

Shawn Naccarato
Vice President, Economic Development and Community Engagement 

Karl Stumo
Vice President, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

Deatrea Rose
Associate Vice President, Inclusion and Belonging

Kathleen Flannery
Vice President, Advancement

Doug Ball
Vice President, Administration and Finance

Abigail Fern
Associate Vice President, Creative and Strategic Communication

Rebeca Book
Professor and Faculty Senate President

Norm Philipp
Professor and Incoming Faculty Senate President

Amy Hite
Professor and KNEA President

Cindy VanBecelaere
Executive Assistant and University Support State Senate President

Greg Belcher
Director and University Professional Staff Senate President

Jaben Parnell
President, Student Government Association

Hannah Eckstein
Vice President, Student Government Association

Liz Mascher
Associate Professor and Graduate Council Chair

Alex Binder
Associate Professor and Institutional Review Board Faculty Chair

Jamie Oliver
Chair, Arts and Sciences, General Studies

Lynda Banwart
PSU Foundation Board of Trustees

Jay Byers
Deputy City Manager, City of Pittsburg