Mike Rounds to lead Human Resources Management


LAWRENCE — Following a national search, Mike Rounds, interim associate vice provost for human resource management at the University of Kansas, has been selected to lead the position on a permanent basis. In his role, Rounds oversees human resources services for more than 10,000 faculty, staff and student employees on the KU Lawrence and Edwards campuses.

“Amid a remarkable applicant pool, Mike rose to the top with leadership skills and complex strategic accomplishments that demonstrate his ability to enhance and streamline operations at KU,” said Diane Goddard, vice provost for administration and finance. “He has a track record of success that will serve KU well into the future.”

Rounds first joined KU in April 2014 when the human resources department was reorganized to assist with implementation of key strategic goals. The position leads operations for employee recruiting, compensation, benefits, employee relations, accessibility and ADA, learning and development, HR information systems, and institutional opportunity and access.

During his brief time at KU, Rounds has led the implementation of the university’s new talent development and performance management systems and is leading the further transformation of the HRM unit.

“Recruiting and retaining an exceptional faculty and staff are central to KU’s vision of being a top-tier research university,” said Jeffrey S. Vitter, provost and executive vice chancellor.  “Mike’s experience in strategic planning and implementation, as well as his capacity to partner with others across the institution, will help ensure we achieve our goals.”

Rounds has more than 30 years of experience in military and education institution roles. Before joining KU he was deputy superintendent in the office of district support for the Louisiana Department of Education. His military experience includes serving as director of operational plans and joint force development for the Joint Staff in the Department of Defense. In that role he oversaw the accreditation of all joint education venues in DoD, managed an $800 million operational budget and led a staff of more than 100 military and civilian employees. He also stood up the first fully networked maneuver force for the Army in 2003 and deployed the 6,000-soldier unit to Iraq. He retired from the Army in 2009 at the rank of brigadier general.

Rounds’ educational background includes an MBA from Baker University, a master’s degree in military arts and sciences from the U.S. Army War College, a master’s degree in East Asian studies from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.  He also is a fellow from the Broad Superintendents Academy.

Fri, 05/08/2015

author

Jill Hummels

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Jill Hummels

Office of the Provost

785-864-6577