Richard Linton To Leave Kansas State For Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors will hold a special meeting Wednesday to vote on selecting a new university president.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People
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Kansas State University president Richard Linton is expected to depart his current role to become the leader of Virginia Tech. The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors has scheduled a formal vote for Wednesday, October 14, 2026, to appoint the university’s next president.
Why it matters
The transition marks a significant leadership change for two major research institutions. The appointment process at Virginia Tech coincides with a closed-door meeting of the Kansas Board of Regents, which oversees personnel decisions for state universities in Kansas.
Richard Linton currently serves as the 15th president of Kansas State University, a position he has held since 2022. The formal selection process remains subject to a final vote by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors scheduled for this week.
The players
Richard Linton
He currently serves as the 15th president of Kansas State University.
Virginia Tech Board of Visitors
This body is responsible for the governance and high-level administrative appointments at Virginia Tech.
Kansas Board of Regents
This board manages the hiring and oversight of leadership at public universities within the state of Kansas.
The details
The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors will convene in Blacksburg at noon central time on Wednesday to finalize the appointment. Simultaneously, the Kansas Board of Regents will conduct a special closed-door meeting at 12:15 on the same day to discuss university leadership matters.
Timeline
2022: Richard Linton began his tenure as the president of Kansas State University.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM CT: The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors will meet to vote on the new president.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 12:15 PM CT: The Kansas Board of Regents will hold a closed-door meeting.
Market Landscape
This transition highlights the frequent mobility of leadership among major public research universities as institutions compete for experienced administrators. It follows the pattern established by the 2022 Kansas State University presidential appointment and signals a shift in the strategic direction for both campuses.
This leadership change may influence the long-term administrative priorities and strategic initiatives at both Kansas State University and Virginia Tech. Students and faculty can expect updates regarding future university goals following the official board votes.
The takeaway
University leadership transitions often signal shifts in institutional focus regarding research and student funding priorities. Stakeholders should monitor upcoming board statements to understand the specific policy direction the new administration intends to pursue.
What happens next
The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors will hold a formal vote on the new president on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
Further reading
For more on administrative leadership in higher education, visit the /business/people/ section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Radio KMAN.
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