photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

University of Kansas Provost Arash Mafi speaks during the State of the Campus address at the Kansas Memorial Union on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.

In his first State of the Campus address since assuming the provost position at the University of Kansas eight months ago, Arash Mafi, speaking to a room of more than 200 attendees, made one thing clear: We are not backing down.

His message was a response to the many pressures KU — and the higher education industry more broadly — are facing. Colleges and universities across the country have been experiencing a number of unprecedented strains in recent years — and KU is no exception.

“Funding, regulation, academic freedom and the value of a college degree are being debated in ways that create uncertainty for our community,” Mafi said Wednesday during his address at the Kansas Memorial Union.

“We will respond with steadiness, not retreat. With confidence, not defensiveness,” he said.

As a large research university, KU is exposed to many of the pressures Mafi cited. Chancellor Doug Girod made the point in his own address two weeks ago. Federal tampering, shifting expectations and declining birth rates are just some of the issues affecting universities.

On Wednesday, Mafi said that KU should demonstrate its value in higher education. Academic rigor must be upheld, academic freedom and open inquiry protected, and the free exchange of ideas respected, he said.

“The answer to skepticism cannot be simply that people should trust universities,” Mafi said. “We must continue earning that trust.”

Mafi also acknowledged that although some areas within KU serve the university well, others “make good work unnecessarily difficult.” Frustration, complexity and unclear authority are all things Mafi said he encountered in conversations with faculty, staff and other university employees. “So, there is work to be done,” he said.

Mafi was appointed provost in February and began his duties the following month. Before assuming the role, he served as executive dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. At KU, the provost serves as the chief academic and operations officer for the Lawrence and Edwards campuses. They are appointed by the chancellor and take part in the nominating and appointment process of some of the school’s highest academic positions, including deans and vice provosts.

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

Attendees listen during the State of the Campus address at the Kansas Memorial Union at the University of Kansas on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.

Though sober at times, Mafi’s address also touched on some of KU’s successes, telling those in attendance that the overall state of the university is strong.

“Not because we have no challenges; we do. And not because we are where we want to be in every area; we are not,” Mafi said. “We are strong because of the extraordinary work of our faculty, staff, and students.”

Mafi cited achievements across several schools, including the schools of business, engineering, law and education, among others, some of which he said saw increased funding and higher enrollments than in previous years. He also highlighted KU’s retention rate, which last fall was the highest in the school’s history with more than 88% of entering freshmen staying at the university. KU’s six-year graduation rate, a common indicator in higher education, was also among its highest, Mafi said — just below 70%, which is above the national average of 61%.

Last month, KU reported enrollment figures that showed the university breaking its total record for the third straight year. But Mafi on Wednesday cautioned attendees against being complacent, saying enrollment is an “urgent issue.”

“We have record enrollment today, but we cannot assume that will continue,” said Mafi. Even though KU’s total enrollment has achieved a new high, he noted, its freshmen class did not. KU’s freshman class dropped from 5,040 students in 2025 to 4,834 students this fall, a 4% decline. The figure, however, is still the university’s fourth-largest freshman class in history.

During his Wednesday address, Mafi also that KU is also likely to take a more hands-on approach on artificial intelligence, saying the university will integrate the technology only where it adds value.

“I believe in this university and the people,” Mafi said. “What binds us together is a shared belief in the power of education and the importance of an educated citizenry to the strength of our nation. Ultimately, the most powerful influence on KU’s future is ours.”

photo by: Dmitry Martirosov/Journal-World

University of Kansas Provost Arash Mafi goes through his notes before his State of the Campus address at the Kansas Memorial Union on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.