Emporia State University selects Mehring as Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Tes Mehring Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

Although Emporia State University conducted a nationwide search for its new Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, the perfect candidate for the job has been on the ESU campus for the past 27 years.

Dr. Teresa (Tes) Mehring, currently dean of The Teachers College at ESU, will become the university’s chief academic officer in July. Mehring’s selection was announced at a news conference Friday, May 16 in the rotunda of Plumb Hall, home of Emporia State’s main administrative offices in addition to classrooms and faculty offices.

“I was seeking a candidate who, first and foremost, would be a leader for our faculty and a leader for Academic Affairs. I was seeking an individual who will help move Emporia State forward for the next several years. I was looking for an individual who understands the special nature of Emporia State. As it turns out, the perfect candidate for the job is the one who currently occupies an office in Visser Hall right here on campus,” said Dr. Michael R. Lane, ESU president, in introducing Mehring.

“Tes is a nationally recognized leader in higher education,” said Lane, “and I’m delighted that we were able to promote from within someone of her caliber.”

Mehring moves into the newly-created Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs position after former Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. John Schwenn left ESU for the presidency of Dalton (Ga.) State College in February.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge, because I know there is tremendous talent throughout this campus,” said Mehring. “And because of that talent, whatever the challenges are, we’re well equipped to meet them,” she added.

While Mehring’s knowledge of the institutional history of ESU played an important part in her selection, the new provost is looking toward the university’s future. “High on my agenda is bringing the new strategic plan for Emporia State University to final draft stage, and making sure that everyone is well informed about the initiatives and goals of that plan,” she said.

A native of Helena, Mont., Mehring earned bachelor’s degrees in applied music, music education, and psychology from St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kan., a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Southwest Missouri State University, and a master’s degree in special education and a doctoral degree in special education/educational psychology, both from the University of Kansas.

Arriving at ESU in 1981, she advanced through the ranks from lecturer through professor. "When I was finishing my doctorate at KU and looking for employment, I knew Emporia State University was the place I wanted to be," said Mehring, speaking to a crowd of ESU staff members during the Friday morning announcement. "And in the nearly three decades since, I've never regretted that decision," she added.

In 1993, Mehring was appointed associate dean of The Teachers College, Emporia State’s nationally-recognized teacher education program. She became dean of The Teachers College in 1995, and also served as interim Vice President for Academic Affairs for five months in the latter part of 2006.

During her tenure as dean, The Teachers College was named one of four ‘model’ teacher preparation programs in the nation in the report, “Educating School Teachers,” written by Dr. Arthur Levine, president emeritus of Columbia University Teachers College. The Teachers College was identified in Edutopia magazine as one of ten schools of education that are blazing the trail to better teaching practices. Currently, one in every six classroom teachers in Kansas holds a degree or licensure endorsement from ESU.

Lane indicated a national search for Mehring’s replacement as dean will begin soon. An interim Teachers College dean will be selected to head the college until a permanent replacement is named, most likely by July, 2009.

Last Updated May 16, 2008>