Lester Lefton

President

On a smaller scale, President Lefton’s role is similar to that of President Barack Obama’s. Lefton runs and is the representative of the university. He traverses the country to meet with industry leaders to bring in new programs and talk with potential scholarship donors.

Lefton also meets with area community leaders to improve the “town-gown” relationships. He works with members of his cabinet and other administrators to improve the university and lead Kent State into the future.

Robert Frank

Provost

Now in his third year as provost, Frank is the chief academic officer of Kent State and oversees all of the academic programs within the university. Simply put, he’s responsible for your education.

As provost, his role is to ensure that qualified faculty – professors, instructors, lecturers – are placed within each program, and the skills students learn at Kent State will be marketable to future employers after graduation. Frank is also responsible for the publication of the undergraduate catalog, which outlines academic policies and the requirements and programs for each degree.

Iris Harvey

Vice President for University Relations

Harvey’s role is to market Kent State. All of the information potential students see before stepping on campus is a direct result of the office of university relations. The office recently launched its new Destination Kent State program to create a more personalized experience for incoming freshmen.

With the university approaching its centennial celebration in 2010, Harvey and her department will be directing a carefully crafted campaign to show the past, present and future of Kent State toward the significance of the anniversary, as well the impact of the university on the community.

Greg Jarvie

Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

According to the Division Enrollment Management and Student Affairs’ Web site, its mission is “to support the teaching and learning process and the development of the whole student by providing quality programs and services that enhance student learning and student success.”

Jarvie’s main responsibility is to retain and ensure the well-being of Kent State students by heading the division that manages offices such as Residence Services, Career Services, Dining Services, Recreational Services, the Center for Student Involvement and the Student Center, among several others.

Gregg Floyd

Vice President for Finance and Administration

Floyd’s main responsibility is managing the university’s budget.

He is also responsible for maintaining Kent State’s facilities and construction through Campus Environment and Operations and the Office of the University Architect.

Ed Mahon

Vice President for Information Services

Mahon is the vice president of information services whose office oversees information technology, support and application services.

He helps ensure that services such as FlashZone, Vista, e-mail, and online course registration are reliable and helpful to students.

Willis Walker

Vice President for Human Resources

Walker, who also serves as chief university counsel, was named vice president for human resources in September 2008.

As the head of his department, Walker is responsible for managing Kent State’s human resources division, handling labor and employee relations and overseeing the university’s legal affairs.

Gene Finn

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

The most direct result of the work that Finn and the institutional advancement division, along with alumni relations, can be seen in the funds raised for general operating costs and student scholarships. This past year, more than $5 million was raised in new scholarship support for Kent State students.

Finn coordinates all aspects of alumni relations and private fundraising activities, which generate funds to be invested and managed by the Kent State University Foundation, a separate entity from the university that invests and manages gifts in accordance with donor wishes.

The division looks to raise $250 million this year with the centennial campaign to support its endowment, capital projects and current operating needs.

Contact managing editor Caleb Raubenolt at [email protected] and reporter Nicole Stempak

at [email protected].