Leadership changes at Wichita State announced

Some top leaders at Wichita State University are realigning, the university said in a prepared statement Friday.

President John Bardo said it’s happening in part because of suggestions from those WSU serves.

"For the past two years I have been listening to faculty, staff and students regarding their experiences in the university," Bardo said in the statement. "I have been observing where and how we could more effectively achieve the goals that are set forth in the Kansas Board of Regents' strategic plan and the university's strategic plan.

None of the changes involve a reduction in the number of positions, Bardo said.

According to the WSU statement:

Robinson, Crabtree, Dietz and their staffs will all be part of the new provost and senior vice president's office.

Bardo had said last month, as he contemplated the changes, that they will help bring about the larger structural transformations he envisions for WSU. Those changes include creation of a new “innovation campus” within the larger university campus. The innovation project is designed to bring about much more innovation, not only by WSU researchers but among businesses and entrepreneurs in the south-central Kansas area and beyond, Bardo said. The main purpose, he said: job creation and economic boost to the area.

This story was originally published July 11, 2014 at 12:18 PM with the headline "Leadership changes at Wichita State announced."