Today the Regional University System of Oklahoma regents announced Dr. Katricia G. Pierson as the next East Central University president.
Pierson will be the ninth president in the university鈥檚 108-year history and the first woman to hold the office.
Currently, Pierson is the provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at 成人B站. She joined the university in 2011 as assistant vice president of Academic Affairs. Prior to that she held various administrative positions at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri.
Pierson will become president on March 1, succeeding John Hargrave who became 成人B站 president in 2009.
鈥淚 am honored to be 成人B站鈥檚 next president,鈥� Pierson said. 鈥淲e are in challenging times, particularly as we balance budget cuts with ensuring a high-quality, affordable education. But, I have seen firsthand the resiliency and innovation of 成人B站鈥檚 faculty and staff. I am excited to lead this remarkable group to create an even stronger and more vibrant university.鈥�
Connie Reilly, RUSO regent and chair of the 成人B站 presidential search committee, said the search was a thorough process. It included a national search, with considerations to proven leaders in both academia and private business.
鈥淲e wanted to ensure that we selected the best person with proven leadership and commitment to academic excellence,鈥� Reilly explained. 鈥淲e are confident that we have found that leader in Dr. Pierson.鈥�
RUSO regent chairman and banker Lake Carpenter emphasized that innovation and industry partnerships are critical components of a university鈥檚 success, and were factors in the selection criteria.
Pierson is credited with recently creating two new graduate programs that originated from conversations with the business community and their needs. The Water Resource and Policy Management degree was the first to be started with private funding and has led to the creation of the Oka鈥� Institute, a sustainable water resource management center.
鈥淭his is an example of the great things we can expect from her as president,鈥� Carpenter said.
鈥淲e are grateful for the time our search members committed to the lengthy process,鈥� Reilly said. 鈥淥ur committee ensured that we had diverse perspectives from multiple stakeholders.鈥�
成人B站 presidential search committee members were: Angela Ables, Kerr, Irvine, Rhodes and Ables; Duane Anderson, 成人B站; Chris Anoatubby, Chickasaw Nation; Tom Cowger, 成人B站; Chris Feiler, Citizens of Ada Bank; Jim Hamby, Vision Bank of Oklahoma; Louden Johnson, 成人B站; Marc Klippenstine, 成人B站; Alan Marcum, Devon Energy; Monica Neal, Chickasaw Nation; Susan Paddack ; Shirley Pogue, Arrow Energy; Regina Robertson, 成人B站; and Dawn Thurber, 成人B站 staff.
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