WATC names Sheree Utash interim president

Sheree Utash has been named interim president at Wichita Area Technical College, according to a news release sent out Friday by the Sedgwick County Technical Education and Training Authority, which serves as the school’s governing board.

Utash, who has been the school’s vice president of academic affairs since 2008, succeeds Tony Kinkel, who announced his departure recently to accept the position of president at a community college in Tennessee.

“I’m honored to accept this role and be a part of the continued development of WATC,” said Utash in a statement. “I appreciate the support of the board and I look forward to working collaboratively with all WATC employees, the community and business and industry to help advance the college.”

The training authority board also announced that it plans to contract with retired former Bombardier Learjet vice president of operations John Dieker, who will serve as a consultant, advising the board as it “explores the potential of a deeper affiliation” between the technical college and Wichita State University, according to the release. Dieker resigned his board seat to accept the consultant role.

This story was originally published July 10, 2015 at 3:28 PM with the headline "WATC names Sheree Utash interim president."