Executive Officers & Administration
The executive officers for divisions and business units are described in brief below. To learn more about each position and the additional administration that report to them, select from the links below.
Academic Affairs
Melody Tankersley, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
Responsible for academic units, including colleges, schools, departments and Regional Campuses. Each of these units operates in accordance with Kent State’s educational and public service mission.
Learn more about the Executive Vice President and Provost
Visit the Office of the Provost Website
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Mark M. Polatajko, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President
Responsible for the financial and physical operations of the university and maintaining a safe and peaceful environment, with values based on principles of respect, integrity, service and commitment.
Learn more about the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
Visit the Division of Finance and Administration Website
STUDENT LIFE
Eboni Pringle, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President
Provides leadership to institutional efforts aimed at enhancing the co-curricular lives of students, complementing the academic mission and supporting student success.
Learn more about the Senior Vice President for Student Life
Visit THE DIVISION OF STUDENT LIFE WEBSITE
Vice President and University Secretary
Charlene K. Reed, Ph.D.
Vice President and University Secretary
Responsible for providing comprehensive administrative support to the president and Board of Trustees, while also facilitating communications between the university and external agencies.
Learn more about the Vice President and University Secretary
VISIT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WEBSITE
Enrollment Management
Sean Broghammer, Ph.D.
Vice President
Responsible for leading our institutional efforts to strengthen student recruitment and success at all levels across our entire eight-campus system.
Learn more about the Vice President for Enrollment Management
Visit the DIVISION OF Enrollment Management WEBSITE
GENERAL COUNSEL
Willis Walker, LL.M., J.D.
Vice President
Serves as the legal representative for the university and provides legal advice and guidance on university-related matters to employees and departments.
Learn more about the Vice President and General Counsel
VISIT THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL WEBSITE
INFORMATION Technology
John M. Rathje
Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Responsible for the enterprisewide architecture and operations of the information technology systems in place at Kent State University, as well as the overall vision for the university's information technology environment in the future.
Learn more about the Vice President for Information Technology
VISIT THE DIVISION OF INFORMATION Technology WEBSITE
People, Culture and Belonging
Amoaba Gooden, Ph.D.
Vice President
Serves as an executive officer and the university's chief people officer providing overall leadership for the Division of People, Culture and Belonging.
Learn more about the Vice President for People, Culture and Belonging
Visit the DIVISION OF People, Culture and Belonging WEBSITE
Philanthropy and alumni engagement
Valoree Vargo
Vice President
Promoting awareness among Kent State University benefactors of the impact their contributions make to the growth and future success of the university.
Learn more about the Vice President for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement
VISIT THE DIVISION OF Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement WEBSITE
Regional Campus Administration
Peggy Shadduck, Ph.D.
Vice President for Regional Campuses and Dean of the College of Applied and Technical Studies
Responsible for the oversight of the university’s seven Regional Campuses. Reporting to the senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, she also serves on the President’s Cabinet.
VISIT THE College of Applied and Technical Studies WEBSITE Visit the Regional Campus Website Visit the Lifelong Learning Initiative website
Research and Economic Development
Douglas L. Delahanty, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research and Economic Development
The Division of Research and Economic Development helps faculty and staff secure external funding to support their research and instructional and public service projects.
Learn more about the Vice President for Research and Economic Development
VISIT THE DIVISION OF RESEARCH and Economic development Website
University Communications and Marketing
Stephen P. Ward
Vice President
Responsible for building a distinctive national brand for Kent State through system-wide strategic communications, integrated marketing, and corporate and community outreach.
Learn more about the Vice President for University Communications and Marketing
Visit the Division of University Communications and Marketing
Government and Community Relations
Nicholas M. Gattozzi III
Executive Director
Responsible for facilitating university relationships and advancing university priorities at the federal, state and local levels of government and with the communities served by the university and its Regional Campuses.
Learn more about the Executive Director for Government and Community Relations
VISIT THE GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS WEBSITE
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Randale Richmond
Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Kent State’s athletics program includes baseball, basketball, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, track and field, volleyball and wrestling.
Learn more about the Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
VISIT THE Department OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS WEBSITE