The Topeka Capital-Journal reported Tuesday Maureen Grasso, dean of the University Graduate School, is one of four finalists for the provost position at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan.

Grasso, who has been The Graduate School dean since 2002, will be visiting the Kansas campus Nov. 1-3 and will participate in an open seminar on Nov. 2 where she will present her perspective on the role of provost and senior vice president at the university.

Other candidates for the provost position include April Mason, dean of the College of Applied Human Sciences at Colorado State University; Ralph Richardson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State; Marvin Kaiser, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Portland State University.

The announcement of Grasso’s contention for the provost position at Kansas State comes nearly a month after Jere Morehead, vice president for instruction, was named the University’s new provost.

Alumna leaves EPD to teach at the University

The Associated Press reported Monday Carol A. Couch, the first woman to lead the state’s Environmental Protection Division, resigned from the EPD to assume a position at the University.

Couch is expected to leave her position with the EPD Oct. 26 and will begin teaching in the University’s College of Environment and Design in December.

According to a University news release, Couch will help shape the college’s new master’s degree program in environmental planning and will lead outreach efforts to help communities throughout the state control their water resources.

Couch, who earned a doctorate in ecology from the University, has worked at the EPD since 2003.

During her time there, she helped to draft Georgia’s first statewide water management plan.

Couch will also serve as a senior public service associate for the University, according to a University news release.