Kansas State University

Floros, Mercer reappointed as deans

Submitted by Provost April Mason

Dear members of the Kansas State University community:

It is with pleasure that I announce the reappointment of two Kansas State University deans for five-year terms. John Floros, dean of the College of Agriculture, and Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education, both recently went through five-year evaluation reviews. I have accepted the recommendations of the review committees, and both Floros and Mercer will continue as heads of their colleges. Floros' reappointment also includes another five-year term as director of K-State Research and Extension.

Floros has served as dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension, or KSRE, since August 2012. Appointed to the deanship following a national search, Floros came to K-State from Pennsylvania State University where he was a professor and head of the department of food science. His past experience included working as an international industry consultant for more than 25 years and serving as a professor at Purdue University. Floros earned a combined bachelor's/master’s degree in food science and technology from the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece, and a doctorate in food science and technology from the University of Georgia.

"I am thrilled to be reappointed and excited to continue to lead the College of Agriculture and KSRE for another five years," Floros said. "I am thankful for the provost's trust in me, and for the continued support I've received from our faculty, staff, students and external stakeholders. I will continue to work with all of you to make the College of Agriculture tops academically, and KSRE a global destination for research and extension."

Mercer has served as dean of the College of Education, the state's largest teacher education program, since June 2012. She, too, earned the top job following a national search. Mercer's career started as a library media specialist and then as a kindergarten teacher in a rural Kansas school district. She next became a graduate teaching assistant at K-State before accepting a faculty position at Fort Hays State University in 1998. At Fort Hays State, she quickly ascended through the ranks and was named interim dean in 2005 and then dean in 2006, a position she held until joining K-State in 2010. Mercer has four degrees from K-State: a doctorate in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in reading and English as a second language; a master's in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in reading and language arts; a bachelor's in elementary education; and a bachelor's in family and child development.

"I am both humbled and honored to serve as dean of the College of Education for another five years," Mercer said. "To know that I have earned the full faith and confidence from the college's core constituencies, the faculty, students, staff, along with Provost Mason's confidence, it emboldens me to continue to grow and strengthen the college. Thank you to everyone who invested time into this important process and for your part in making the college the success it is."

Please join me in congratulating Deans Floros and Mercer on their reappointments and their continued excellent work as academic leaders at our university.

Thank you,

April Mason
Provost and Senior Vice President