Diacon, Todd

Education: Doctoral degree in history and master’s degree in history, University of Wisconsin-Madison; bachelor’s degree in history, Southwestern College (Winfield, Kansas) 

First Job: Peeling potatoes and janitorial work, Kentucky Fried Chicken

Toughest Challenge: Dealing with multiple publics, each of which asserts that they are the university’s primary constituency (to paraphrase Clark Kerr)

Favorite Quote: “Other people are making judgement calls every day, and your job is to make sure they’re getting it right, that their choices reflect the vision, values and strategy of the organization.” ― Frances Frei and Anne Morriss, Unleashed

Proudest Moment: Watching students walk across the stage at every commencement ceremony

What Keeps Me Up at Night: What doesn’t keep me up at night?

What I’d Tell 16-Year-Old Me: “Believe it or not, your parents actually know a thing or two.”