KENT, Ohio - Kent State University has hired a new vice president who will oversee its branches in Champion, Salem, East Liverpool and four other regional campuses.

On Friday, the university named Nathan Ritchey, Ph.D., as its new vice president for Kent State System Integration.

Ritchey, who was selected following a national search, currently serves at Edinboro University as vice president for strategic initiatives and founding dean of the College of Science and Health Professions.

As vice president for Kent State System Integration, which is a newly created position, Ritchey will be the senior officer responsible for the oversight of the university’s seven Regional Campuses.

Ritchey will be charged with assessing the administrative structure of Kent State’s Regional Campus system.

He will develop clusters of activity and resource sharing among the Kent State campuses to facilitate program collaboration, cost-saving measures and more effective use of resources.

This includes ensuring curricular integration across all campuses and academic colleges to guarantee a common foundation for all students as they proceed with their major programs.

He also will engage the communities where the campuses are located to foster partnerships and economic development.

Ritchey will report to the senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

He also will serve on the President’s Cabinet, enhancing the voice of the Regional Campuses and ensuring that the perspectives of the Regional Campuses inform discussions and decisions.

Ritchey's first day on the job is July 1.