PSU names new vice president

Pittsburg State University President Tom Bryant announced today that Steven Scott, dean of the PSU College of Education, has been selected to become the next vice president for academic affairs at PSU. Robert Ratzlaff, the current vice president for academic affairs, is retiring at the end of the academic year. Scott's selection followed a national search, which was narrowed to four candidates earlier this spring.

"Dr. Scott has prepared himself well for the leadership role he is about to assume," Bryant wrote in a memo to all faculty and staff announcing the appointment. "He understands and shares the core values that we as a university community share. His passion for students, for Pittsburg State University, and for the faculty and staff is evident in everything he does."

Bryant said that the strong pool of candidates made the selection difficult.

"Each of finalists possessed skills and experiences that would have been valuable to Pittsburg State University," Bryant said.

Scott, a native of Baxter Springs, received a bachelor of science degree in mathematics education from PSU, a master’s degree in mathematics from Oklahoma State University, an Ed.S. in higher education from PSU and an Ed.D. in higher education from OSU.

Scott began his professional career as a junior and senior high school teacher and coach, teaching in Riverton and then Miami, Okla. He was an instructor in the Department of Computer Science at NEO A&M in Miami from 1981-1988 and joined the PSU family in 1989 as an assistant professor of education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. In 1995, he was named chairman of the College of Education's Department of Special Services and Leadership Studies. He held that post until 1999, when he was named dean of the College of Education.

Scott has a long history of public service at the local, state and national levels. Currently, he is the chairman of the Kansas Professional Standards Board for Teachers and Administrators, a member of the Kansas Board of Education’s Professional Standards Board, is a member of the Family Resource Center Board of Directors, is a member of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and a member of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Board. He served on the National Committee on Technology in Teacher Education from 2001-2004, and was member of the U.S. Department of Education's Teacher Assistant Corps from 2003-2004. Scott is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Kansas.

Scott and his wife, Cathy, have two children: Kylie and Phil.

---Pitt State---