by BECKY GOFF
Little Apple Post
MANHATTAN - Kansas State University has announced the new provost and executive vice president of the University, as Jesse Perez Mendez.
Following a nationwide search to replace Provost and EVP Charles Taber who retired at the end of the Fall 2023 semester.
Mendez is currently the dean of the Texas Tech University, College of Education and is expected to start at Kansas State University on or before June 1, 2024.
"I am pleased to welcome Dr. Mendez to the K-State community as our next provost," said Richard Linton, Kansas State University president. "Jesse’s deep commitment to educational access perfectly aligns with K-State’s vision as a next-generation land-grant university, and the wealth of higher education experience he brings will undoubtedly serve the institution well in achieving new heights in academic excellence and innovation."
Mendez will serve the University as the Chief Academic Officer, providing leadership and shaping the academic culture at K-State.
He will also be responsible for supervising enrollment and student retention efforts, implementing strategies to reach the University's goals as a next-generation land-grant university.
"The Next-Gen K-State plan and President Linton's vision truly captured my imagination," Mendez said. "I am excited to join the Wildcat family as a servant leader as we all play a part to pen the next chapters of Kansas State University together with the campus communities in Manhattan, Olathe and Salina in the coming years."
As provost, Mendez will be responsible for overseeing academic planning, resource allocation and reorganizing the academic programs to ensure excellence and relevance in the curriculum.
His focus will be on the quality of teaching and learning, as well as providing a global perspective with strategic direction for managing the operating budgets, promoting the development of research programs at K-State with high academic standards for faculty and research contributions. He will also develop and enhance the student experience to meet the needs of students in the current learning environments.
According to K-State, Mendez brings a diverse educational background. He has served in his current role as dean since 2019. Prior to joining Texas Tech, Mendez served as the dean and a professor at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Education. Mendez’s additional professional experience includes serving as associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Education and Community Innovation for the University of Central Florida, head of the School of Educational Studies at Oklahoma State University and a governor-appointed regent for the Northern Oklahoma College Board of Regents.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Midwestern State University and a master’s in political science from Texas Tech University. He earned a juris doctorate from the Maurer School of Law and a doctorate in higher education and student affairs, both from Indiana University.
In 2015, Mendez was named an American Council on Education Fellow and served a term as a member-at-large of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Board of Directors. At Oklahoma State University, he received the OSU College of Education Leadership & Service Excellence Award and held the John A. and Donnie Brock Professorship in Educational Leadership and Policy.
K-State has appointed Debbie Mercer, dean of K-State’s College of Education, as interim provost beginning Jan. 7, 2024 until Mendez’s appointment begins.