Carolyn Pizzuto, vice president for human resources, will leave Kent State to become a senior executive at an Akron supply chain company.

Pizzuto, who has been a vice president since October 2002, submitted her resignation to President Lester Lefton Nov. 8. She will continue to oversee the division of human resources until Jan. 4, 2008.

A Sept. 1 raise brought her salary to $155,500.

Pizzuto said it was difficult to make the decision to leave.

“I love it here,” she said. “I really like the environment. I love the eight campuses. Each campus has its own personality.”

Pizzuto said she’s seen Kent State through some difficult budget years and has enjoyed helping departments and divisions work with the resources they have.

She will become senior vice president of corporate planning at ASW Global, which has its headquarters in Mogadore.

Andre Thornton, chairman and CEO of the company, said he’s known Pizzuto for about 16 years. He asked her to join the company.

“I know what kind of job she can do,” he said.

Thornton said she will play a role in expanding the company.

“There is a growth opportunity there, both for the company and for me,” Pizzuto said.

She owned a consulting company before she came to Kent State five years ago.

Pizzuto said she’ll especially miss the people she’s worked with.

“I have a phenomenal team,” she said.

Pizzuto said she liked working with graduate students on human resource initiatives, and hopes to be able to employ students in her new position.

Contact academics reporter Kiera Manion-Fischer at [email protected].