First candidate for vice provost of undergraduate studies to present Feb. 24

LAWRENCE — An associate dean in the College of Arts & Sciences at Georgia State University is the first of four candidates who will take part in on-campus interviews for the vice provost of undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas.

KU alumnus John Augusto, associate dean of strategic initiatives at Georgia State, will make a public presentation from 4 to 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24, in the Jayhawk Room of the Kansas Union. 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.

Augusto’s professional experience includes leadership positions at three different universities. He’s held his current position at Georgia State since February 2018. As associate dean for strategic initiatives, he leads the college’s efforts in corporate and community engagement. Previously, Augusto worked as the assistant vice provost for experiential learning at KU, and in this role he directed the Center for Service Learning and served as the founding director for the Center for Undergraduate Research.

Augusto has presented at various national conferences and workshops on the theme of creating change within higher education. He has served as a consultant to other research universities, government and non-government organizations, as well as for-profit companies.

Augusto is a certified CliftonStrengths coach where he helps individuals and groups find their natural talents and apply them in their daily lives. He is a lifetime member of the Society of Chicanos and Native Americans (SACNAS), where he is an alumnus of the Linton Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute and the Advanced Leadership Institute. He has presented numerous times at the annual SACNAS conference.

Augusto graduated from Washburn University with a bachelor of arts in English and received his doctorate in education from KU.

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 of other candidates:

• Candidate 2: 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Feb. 26, in Forum C of the Burge Union 
• Candidate 3: 4-5 p.m. March 3, Beren Petroleum Conference Center, Slawson Hall 
• Candidate 4: 4-5 p.m. 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.