President Carol Cartwright will still be employed with Kent State next year, but she’ll be working from home.

Cartwright will be helping President-elect Lester Lefton to make a smooth transition in his first year. She said this has been part of the succession plan since the beginning of the search.

She will work closely with Lefton to see where she can be most helpful, but said it is important that she stays “in the background” after he assumes the presidency.

Chairman R. Douglas Cowan said the board wants Cartwright to spend a lot of the next year fundraising for Kent State’s major capital campaign because of the many contacts she has made during her more than 15 years as president.

“Carol has established a great number of friendships out there,” Cowan said.

This appointment allows Cartwright flexibility to work off-campus, fundraising and taking on leadership roles as requested. She will continue receiving her current salary of $270,000 for the next year.

Cartwright said she and her husband plan to stay in the area past her appointment, but it will be the end of her career with Kent State.

Contact copy desk chief Rachel Abbey at [email protected].