Important choice

The selection of a new CEO is an important decision for the Kansas Board of Regents.

The Kansas Board of Regents is facing an important decision in the selection of a new chief executive officer.

It was reported last week the regents had narrowed their choices to four finalists for the job. The new executive officer will take over for Kim Wilcox, who has returned to Kansas University to become dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The regents are the policy-makers for higher education in the state, but the executive officer plays an important role in carrying out their policies. The relationship the executive has with university administrators, legislators and other government officials can have a significant impact on how well the regents are able to put initiatives and policies in place. History has shown the wrong person in this job can be a detriment to the regents and Kansas higher education.

It seems clear that in coming years the challenges facing the Board of Regents are going to become more difficult.

State tax revenues are not going to rebound any time soon, and the regents will be faced with many problems in maintaining a high-quality system of higher education. Those include costly duplication of academic programs within the state, the question of how much a student should pay for an education, whether community colleges should be closed, how distance learning will affect the numbers of students on campus, and how to attract and retain superior faculty members.

This being the case, it is essential there be superior leadership and vision by the chief executive.

It is hoped all four candidates are top-flight individuals so that no matter which is selected, he or she will be able to continue the excellent service provided by Wilcox.

The finalists include one KU face, Reggie Robinson, counselor and chief of staff to KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway.

Robinson would seem to be an ideal choice.

One of the most prestigious awards a young man or woman in this country can receive is to be selected a White House Fellow. The competition is intense. After becoming a White House Fellow, Robinson was appointed to the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships. In fact, he was the youngest member of that select body.

Robinson is a graduate of Salina High School South, Kansas University and the KU School of Law, where he distinguished himself by his academic achievements. He served in the U.S. Army, where he reached the rank of captain. He worked in the office of U.S. attorney general, and has been a member of the KU law faculty.

In addition, he is active in numerous community and civic programs.

Robinson knows Kansas, has compiled a superior record of involvement, and is a strong, effective and knowledgable proponent of excellence in higher education.

The regents are scheduled to interview all four finalists next week. They should be looking for an administrator who is energetic, intelligent, personable and committed to helping the regents further their goals for higher education in Kansas. It’s a pivotal decision for the future of the regents office.

Robinson measures up in all respects.