FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2025
Regents name Matthew Baker next president of Emporia State
(Emporia, Kan.) – The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) met in Emporia today and named Dr. Matthew Baker as the next president of Emporia State University (ESU).
“The Regents are excited to name Dr. Matthew Baker as the 19th President of Emporia State University,” said Kansas Board of Regents Chair Blake Benson. “Dr. Baker is a proven leader with extensive experience developing and implementing initiatives designed to help students succeed in college and after graduation. He will continue to build upon the entrepreneurial spirit that is a hallmark of Emporia State.”
“I have followed Emporia State University throughout my career and have always been impressed with the caliber of students, faculty and staff and the commitment of the community,” said Dr. Baker. “It is the honor of my career to return to Kansas to serve as the university’s next president.”
Dr. Baker currently serves as Vice President of Student Affairs at Northwest Missouri State University. In his role, he leads the university’s out-of-class student experiences including student engagement and involvement, housing and dining, wellness services and recreation. He has helped Northwest Missouri State increase enrollment and improve retention and other student success measures.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kansas State University, a master’s in higher education administration from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Dr. Baker will succeed current ESU President Ken Hush, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
“The Regents are grateful to President Hush for his leadership of Emporia State these past several years,” said Chair Benson. “He has consistently exhibited an unwavering commitment to serving ESU’s students and has worked hard to improve affordability and student success. President Hush has helped position the university for a bright future, and we wish him all the best in retirement.”
For more information, please contact Matt Keith at
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About the Kansas Board of Regents
The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is the governing board of the state’s six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state’s student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas.
Visit the Kansas Board of Regents online at www.kansasregents.org.