Kennesaw State Announces New Provost

President Daniel Papp announced today the selection of Ken Harmon as the institution’s new provost and vice president for academic affairs. The nationwide search for the position began in August 2010 following the departure of former provost Lendley Black.

Harmon was selected from a pool of 81 applicants, and was one of  in November. The accounting professor has served as the university’s interim provost and vice president for academic affairs since July 2010 and as dean of the Coles College of Business since 2009, according to a release from the university.

The process of choosing a new provost for the third-largest university in Georgia has not been . In March, , the candidate endorsed by KSU’s search committee and offered the job by Papp, withdrew his name. Chandler had come under fire

As provost and vice president for academic affairs, Harmon will serve as the chief academic officer of the university and report to the president, said the release. The provost also serves as a senior member of the president’s leadership team, chairs the university’s Deans’ Council and leads efforts to strengthen academic programs.

“Since joining Kennesaw State, Ken Harmon has demonstrated that he is an excellent leader who is committed to helping guide KSU on its path towards national prominence,” Papp said. "During his interim appointment, Ken has been highly engaged both on campus and in the community, and he has established a very strong and positive reputation."

“When I first came to Kennesaw State, the energy and excitement was palpable. This university has an entrepreneurial spirit like no other and I feel as if I have truly found a home here," said Harmon. "I welcome the opportunity to use my experience and enthusiasm to help shape KSU’s future and to help catapult the university to the next level."