PITTSBURG, Kan. — On Wednesday, leadership at four educational institutions in Crawford County will change, bringing a new face and name to the head position at each.
Steve Scott assumes the presidency of Pittsburg State University, and Mike Bodensteiner becomes executive director at the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center. Also, Destry Brown becomes superintendent of the Pittsburg school district, while Dan Slagle takes over at Frontenac schools.
Bells won’t chime, clocks won’t stop and the Earth surely won’t come to a halt, but this change is noteworthy as it marks the first time for new leadership at the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center since its inception 33 years ago, and the first time anyone can recall four of the area’s institutions experiencing a changing of the guard on the same day.
“I know I will feel a special sense of humility on not just the first day as president but in the following days as well,” Scott said, pointing out that there are “many, many people in this campus who make Pittsburg State what it is.”
Scott has been going to the campus nearly every week day for more than 20 years in a variety of administrative and faculty positions, so his first day won’t be spent getting to know where the coffee pot is or the names of his administrative team or which parking space is best.
Instead, it will be a day of symbolism, with students, faculty, alumni, community leaders and university advocates scheduled to greet him at the door of Russ Hall in a show of support, and with receptions and panel discussions scheduled from morning through afternoon.
Likewise, at the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center, Bodensteiner’s first day will look very much like others in the 22 years he has worked for the organization. He has served in a variety of departmental administrative roles and most recently as the associate executive director.
Having chosen to stay in his existing office, he’ll spend his first day not arranging his desk supplies or getting used to a new chair, but taking a close look at the organization’s mission of providing equal opportunities for all students, and speaking with as many school leaders as possible.
Bodensteiner said that, like Scott, he is experiencing a feeling of impending excitement at becoming the head of a large educational organization with a broad reach.
“I have reflected a lot about all of those individuals who have helped make Greenbush what it is today,” he said. “Superintendents, board members, teachers and school staff, as well as our own staff, have had a hand in creating a truly remarkable culture of service and commitment to students.”
Meanwhile, Brown will move from Frontenac (870 students) to Pittsburg (2,700 students) to try his hand at leading a Class 5A district, while Slagle will make the move from Missouri to Kansas and spend some time getting to know a different educational system.
Both have a long history in education, both say they are eager for the new challenge, and both are being met enthusiastically by their respective boards of education.
Welcome, and best wishes.
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