The dean of the University’s graduate school completed her visit as a provost candidate for Kansas State University Tuesday.

Maureen Grasso, who has been The Graduate School dean for seven years, is one of four candidates in Kansas State’s search for its next provost, or head of academic affairs.

“I decided to explore the possibility of this position as a natural progression of my interest in leadership,” Grasso told The Red & Black in an e-mail interview prior to her trip.

The provost position in Kansas was not one she was actively seeking, but she was recruited by the K-State University search committee, she said.

Grasso spoke publicly to the search committee for just over an hour Tuesday afternoon, explaining how she would promote academic excellence, specifically when it comes to international opportunities, if chosen for the position.

“The role of the provost is a very complicated one,” Grasso said in her speech.

“The bottom line, when you come down to it, is the provost has a responsibility to see across the whole campus. They really have to look and understand all the different disciplines.”

She focused on four topics in citing her vision for Kansas State: faculty, learning experience, managing resources and fulfilling the land grant mission. She stressed the importance of having an international focus in creating both campus diversity and program opportunities.

“Students should have the opportunity to have the experience of a global curriculum integrated into the classroom,” Grasso said.

“As we think about our students when they leave K-State, no matter where they go, they will deal with an international [world]. It helps open and broaden the student.”

Bill Potter, head of the University’s recent provost search that named Vice President for Instruction Jere Morehead to replace Provost Arnett Mace, said the University should be proud of Grasso.

“I think it’s an honor for her to make it this far,” Potter said. “To be a finalist for provost at a nationally known school is impressive. I think it reflects well on Georgia and reflects well on her.”

He said although each provost search is unique, there are some basic similarities.

“It involves trying to build the best possible pool you can, as wide and broad as you can, to begin with,” Potter said. “You try to build a big, diverse, qualified pool.”

He said at the University, the search committee interviewed candidates at airports before narrowing the search to five announced candidates. Grasso was not among those named for the University’s search.

Though the University chose an inside candidate for its provost search, Potter said he has no reason to believe Kansas State will favor a candidate from within the institution. As one of four finalists, Grasso is competing against Kansas State Veterinary College Dean Ralph Richardson, Colorado State Dean of Applied Human Sciences April Mason and Portland State College Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Marvin Kaiser.

John English, head of the Kansas State provost search, could not be reached for comment concerning the process.

Grasso told The Red & Black her pursuit of a position at another university does not mean she dislikes the University.

“I treasure my time at UGA,” Grasso said. “I am energized by working with students and faculty to strengthen graduate programs.”

In her speech, Grasso primarily referenced her experience at the University, focusing on her ability to overcome tough situations.

“When I was hired at UGA, they were rolling in the money,” Grasso said. “We began budget-cutting the moment I walked into the door. I’ve learned to navigate the difficult situations with budgets.”

She said she wants to increase corporate partnerships and create an academic plan for 2025 that better appeals to legislators and potential donors.

“How do we do more with less? How do we get increased revenue steams?” Grasso said in explaining her plan.

According to Grasso’s curriculum vitae, she has been in charge of more than 7,000 University graduate students annually. She also appointed a graduation education task force, developed graduate school fundraising, and initiated collaboration between other universities.

Prior to her time at the University, Grasso was at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for 10 years, where she eventually became interim dean of the graduate school. There, she developed three new interdisciplinary programs, changed how assistantships were organized and created a permanent budget allocation.

She received her undergraduate degree from Utah State before attaining her masters at Cornell five years later.

She was the first person in her family to achieve an advanced degree, and she received her Ph.D. in textile science in 1982 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.