Third candidate for vice provost of undergraduate studies to present March 3

LAWRENCE — The interim leader for undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas is the third of four candidates who will take part in on-campus interviews for the vice provost of undergraduate studies at KU.

Susan Klusmeier will make a public presentation from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, in the Beren Petroleum Conference Center of Slawson Hall. Members of the KU community are invited to attend the presentation and provide feedback of their impressions to the search committee, led by Tammara Durham, vice provost for student affairs, and Ron Ragan, dean of the School of Pharmacy.

As KU's interim vice provost for undergraduate studies, Klusmeier is known for her attention to detail, problem-solving skills and dedication to establishing high-quality programs that support student success. From 2016 to 2019 she served KU as director of strategic initiatives in the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

Prior to coming to KU in 2016, Klusmeier held several positions at the University of Missouri focused on student success initiatives, academic advising, diversity and inclusion, and enrollment management. She has also previously worked in residence life at The Ohio State University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Klusmeier has been recognized for her work in higher education at national, regional and institutional levels and received recognition from NACADA – The Global Community for Academic Advising and INROADS.

Klusmeier is an active member of NASPA – Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education, and she currently serves as a member of the NASPA 2020 Annual Conference Leadership Committee. She is also a member of the advisory board for KU’s Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity. Klusmeier serves as a lecturer for KU’s Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies in the School of Education, and she enjoys working with and mentoring emerging professionals in higher education.

Klusmeier earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master's degree in education with an emphasis in higher education administration from KU. She holds a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on the professionalization of academic advising and the role policy plays in adviser retention. She was born and raised outside of Chicago.

Candidates have been asked to address the topic “What you see as the key challenges, priorities, and opportunities for the future of undergraduate education at KU.” Plans include recording the presentations and making them available for viewing after the final candidate has appeared on campus. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to offer their impressions and observations of each candidate online. Feedback will be due by 5 p.m. March 14.

The university will release information about each candidate about two business days before each candidate’s visit: The schedule for the final candidate:

• Candidate 4: 4-5 p.m. Thursday, March 5, Beren Petroleum Conference Center, Slawson Hall.

The Office of Undergraduate Studies includes a number of programs that promote a superior academic experience for students on the Lawrence and KU Edwards campuses. Undergraduate Studies strives to increase student retention and progression to graduation through engaged learning and emerging instructional platforms. The vice provost provides leadership to the units within Undergraduate Studies including First-Year Experience, Undergraduate Advising Center, Academic Achievement and Access Center, KU Writing Center, University Career Center, Office of Fellowships, Center for Service Learning, Center for Undergraduate Research, and the Military-Affiliated Student Center.