Sharon Graham named interim executive director for KU Continuing Education


Thu, 01/23/2014

author

Kyle Garcia, Director of Marketing and Communications, KU Continuing Education

OVERLAND PARK — University of Kansas Edwards Campus Vice Chancellor David Cook announced today that Sharon Graham, program associate for KU’s Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship program, will serve as interim executive director for KU Continuing Education effective Monday, Feb. 3.

Graham replaces Frederick W. Pawlicki, who retired Jan. 17 after serving 21 years with the University of Kansas.

“Sharon has held integral positions with KU’s Continuing Education team throughout the years providing leadership and vision for successful strategic initiatives," Cook said. "Her knowledge and experience with the department will provide needed continuity of leadership during this transition.”

Graham has a long history with KU continuing education, having served in a number of capacities over a time span of 18 years, from 1986 to 2004. There was a short period of time when she worked for the Division of Continuing Education at Washburn University. During her time with KU, she oversaw unit operations, successfully built and maintained internal and external partnerships, assisted with fundraising efforts and facilitated distant-learning initiatives and campus-based distance education. Graham left Continuing Education as an associate dean in 2004 to assume her role with the Self Graduate Fellowship program.

Continuing Education operates in a self-supporting, entrepreneurial environment while aligning with the university’s strategic plan, Bold Aspirations, and its academic, research and public service missions. The unit offers 1,000 plus educational events annually to more than 70,000 students across Kansas, the United States and 56 countries.

In November last year the university announced Continuing Education would move to the KU Edwards Campus, creating a hub for undergraduate, graduate and continuing professional development and training for Greater Kansas City and the region.

Graham will serve as executive director while the university conducts a national search for a new assistant vice chancellor for professional and continuing education. Marilu Goodyear, assistant vice chancellor for academic program development at the Edwards Campus, is leading the search.

A native of Springfield, Mo., Graham holds a master’s degree in business from KU and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

The KU Edwards Campus at 127th Street and Quivira Road in Overland Park brings high-quality academic programs, research and public-service benefits of KU to the greater Kansas City community in order to serve the workforce, economic and community development needs of region.

Thu, 01/23/2014

author

Kyle Garcia, Director of Marketing and Communications, KU Continuing Education

Media Contacts

Kyle Garcia

KU Continuing Education

785-864-7857