Emporia State University will soon have a new leader. The Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday unanimously approved Dr. Matthew Baker as ESU’s 19th president during a special on-campus meeting.
Baker succeeds Ken Hush, who has led the university since 2021. Baker said he was drawn to Emporia State not only by its size and strong sense of community, but by the work ethic and passion he observed from students, faculty and staff during the presidential search process.
Baker comes to ESU from Northwest Missouri State University, where he has spent nearly 15 years as vice president for student affairs. Speaking at a meeting of the Northwest Board of Regents on Wednesday, President Lance Tatum said Baker will be missed in Maryville.
Baker holds degrees from Kansas State University, the University of Arkansas and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
As he prepares to transition into the role, Baker said his priorities include data-driven decision-making, strengthening enrollment and retention, and examining ESU’s long-term future and its relationship with the broader Emporia community.
