K-State announced Thomas Lane, vice president of academic success and student affairs, dean of students and current interim chief of staff, as the official chief of staff to the president on Oct. 23.
According to an Oct. 23 press release from K-State Today, Lane has been serving as interim chief of staff since early July. He will officially assume his permanent position as chief of staff on Nov. 8.
Lane said although he had been acting as interim chief of staff, he did not initially plan to pursue the position permanently.
“As I spent more time in the role, I recognized an opportunity to serve the university in a different capacity and contribute to the university’s broader strategic priorities,” Lane said. “That opportunity to work across the university, build relationships and then help move K-State forward ultimately motivated my decision to pursue the permanent position.”
Charles Jake, vice president for legal affairs and general counsel, chaired the search committee during the process of looking for a permanent chief of staff.
“I put my application in and interviewed with the search committee, and with gratitude, I was selected,” Lane said.
His experience as dean of students and vice president has prepared him for his new position by setting a foundation for relationships and connections throughout K-State, he said.
“The opportunity over these last seven and a half years to work with amazing students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, that are passionate about moving K-State forward and building those relationships over these years … will be a great asset for me as I step into this new role,” Lane said.
As chief of staff, Lane said he strives for strong communication and engagement between the office of the president and K-State faculty.
“I think with any large university initiative, any kind of large change initiative that might occur at the university, I think it would be really critical and important for the chief of staff to work as hard as they can to help ensure that clear communication and clear listening is occurring with a variety of stakeholder groups on campus,” Lane said. “So … the chief of staff plays a pivotal role in connecting people, ideas and conversations together to best move the institution forward.”
One of the main initiatives Lane said he will focus on is the preparation for the next interim president to K-State.
“Once the Kansas Board of Regents names who that interim president will be, my role as chief of staff will really help to make sure that that person is set up for the best success that they can,” Lane said.
According to K-State today, Karen Goos, vice provost for enrollment management, will chair a search committee for an interim vice president of academic success and student affairs and dean of students.
