April 16, 2018
Fitzsimmons takes on new role as president of HERS
Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing
Verna M. Fitzsimmons has accepted the position to serve as the next president of Higher Education Resource Services, or HERS. As a HERS alumna, this gives Fitzsimmons the opportunity to combine her passions of STEM, higher education and women in leadership. Kansas State University has had 27 HERS graduates.
Fitzsimmons will continue to serve as the CEO and dean of K-State Polytechnic until mid-June. The search process for an interim CEO and dean is underway.
During Fitzsimmons' time on campus, she has helped garner a $10 million donation — the largest private donation the Polytechnic Campus has ever received. She also has led the strategic plan and campus master physical plan as well as restructuring campus organization to encourage collaboration. During her tenure, she has overseen growth and creation of new programs in unmanned aircraft systems, robotics and UAS cybersecurity. Fitzsimmons also has developed strategic partnerships that have created career opportunities with companies such as Cessna Aircraft, Republic Airline, Mesa and ExpressJet.