AEC Director Search
Lead an innovative program supporting English-language learners and collaborate with campus partners at KU.
The University of Kansas is seeking a leader to serve as the director of the Applied English Center (AEC), a key position within the International Affairs division. Reporting to the associate vice provost for student support and academic services, the director will provide strategic oversight, innovation, and advocacy for the center’s services designed to enhance the academic experience for English-language learners.
The AEC works in close collaboration with campus partners across International Support Services, Study Abroad and Global Engagement, five area studies centers, and the central administrative office for International Affairs. In addition to operational leadership, the director will help expand the university’s global reach through curriculum development, external partnership building, and strategic planning.
Updates
Please return to this page for updates as the search progresses.
On-Campus Interviews and Presentations
The "open" sessions listed below are for KU faculty, staff, and students only. KU community members may also join these sessions by Zoom. To do so, contact J.R. Speake by email at least one day prior to the interview.
KU community presentation: Each candidate received this prompt for the subject of their talk: "The AEC is a respected organization within the university and ESL/ESP field with exceptional programs. As you think about taking on the role of director in this context, how would you approach maintaining current strengths and operational capacities, while also growing and adapting in a changing national and international context? What do you see as key opportunities in student and programmatic growth for the AEC in the next few years? How would you prioritize and approach those opportunities, and how would they add value to the AEC and University?"
Jeremy Slagoski, UMKC
July 9, 2-3 p.m. - KU Community Open Presentation
The Forum at Marvin Hall
Download the candidate's CV
Pamela Pearson, Colorado State University
July 11, 2:15-3:15 p.m. - KU Community Open Presentation
The Forum at Marvin Hall
Download the candidate's CV
Ercan Balci
July 17, 10-11 a.m. - KU Community Open Presentation
The Forum at Marvin Hall
Download the candidate's CV
Feedback form
Those attending the presentation or taking part in interview sessions are asked to use the AEC Director Search Feedback Form after each presentation. Submissions will close at noon on July 22.
Search Committee Members
| Name | Position and Department |
|---|---|
| Roberta Pokphanh, Search Chair | Associate Vice Provost - International Affairs |
| Kari Balthazor | Assistant Director for Business Operations – Applied English Center |
| Elizabeth Gould | Interim Director of International Short Programs – International Short Programs |
| Amanda Ostreko | Associate Vice Provost and Director of Graduate Enrollment Management – Graduate Studies |
| Andrew Shoemaker | Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Success – Academic Affairs |
| Parul Sood | Lecturer/Faculty – Applied English Center |
| Luciano Tosta | Associate Professor, Director & Director of Graduate Studies – Center for Global & International Studies |