Kent State Provost Competes for University of New Mexico President's Job

The provost at Kent State University is looking to warmer climates for his shot at serving as president of a large university.

Bob Frank, who is stepping down as Kent State's provost at the end of this school year, is in the running for the president's job at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM.

Frank is one of five finalists for the job, the Albuquerque Journal reported this week. The university is expected to choose its new president Jan. 5.

Frank told the Albuquerque Journal that the UNM job is at the top of his list of places where he would like to serve as president.

"The fact that I have a chance to take a shot at it is a dream for me," he told the New Mexico newspaper.

Frank has thrown his hat in the ring for several president's posts, including at East Tennessee State University, which he lost the bid for last month.

At 59, Frank announced his plans to step down as Kent State's provost to seek a president's position in July.

"I’ve long dreamed of being a college president," Frank said. "Realistically, I’ve one career move left, and now’s the time to make it."

UNM has about 30,000 students — about 12,000 fewer than Kent State — and is one of a few schools in New Mexico to teach medicinal studies, where Frank started his career.

The Albuquerque Journal article takes a look at Frank's improved retention rates here in Kent and examines his often divisive approaches to change.