Earlier this month, Emporia State provost George Arasimowicz resigned after a leave of absence. On Jan. 31, the position of interim provost for Emporia State University was filled by Gary Wyatt.
While the position is a temporary one, Wyatt is doing what he can to encourage inclusion for diverse groups on campus and to help improve the overall mental health of students as they struggle through the COVID-19
pandemic.
Since moving to Emporia in 1988, he has made memories with many students through academic opportunities such as trips to other cities in Kansas and even different countries such as Uganda. He began his career at ESU as a professor of sociology.
He continues to teach while also holding his position as vice president of academic affairs.
In 2008, he was named associate dean of the college of liberal arts and sciences.
“The honors college job is like the best job on earth,” Wyatt said. “It’s so much fun working with the students.”
Wyatt is leaning into his new position as provost by making a point to speak with students on campus about issues they are
facing.
“The key to leadership is connecting with people and listening to them,” Wyatt said. “Communication and relationship building is what it all comes down to.”
One group Wyatt is hoping to connect with on campus are the Hispanic and Latinx members who may feel underrepresented. In order to help solve this, he is working with the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) on campus.
Together they are planning an event in May that will celebrate the life of Cesar Chavez and his contributions to civil rights for migrant workers in the United States. They plan to invite Emporia High School students to join in the celebration.
Along with representation, Wyatt is focused on helping ESU students through the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re just really trying to urge faculty members to be flexible, to have grace and to listen carefully,” Wyatt said. “We’re looking at the services we offer students in terms of counseling.”
Wyatt plans to continue advocating in hopes that these adjustments will improve the mental health and wellbeing of all students.
“We are just really hopeful that we can help everybody through what I hope is the ending stages of the pandemic,” Wyatt said.
His position as provost is estimated to last anywhere from six to nine months, according to
Wyatt.
“I have never once regretted my job,” Wyatt said. “I just can’t think of anything I would rather be doing.“
