Q&A | Jesse Perez Mendez
Provost & Executive Vice President, Kansas State University
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Q: Before becoming Provost at Kansas State, your career path took a few unexpected turns. What did you dream about becoming as a kid?
A: I think I changed my mind every few years. At one point I wanted to be a stand-up comedian. Then I thought about becoming a priest. As I got older, politics really interested me, so I decided to go to law school because I thought I'd practice law for a few years before eventually running for public office. Life has a funny way of redirecting you, though. Looking back, every one of those paths was rooted in wanting to serve people, even if I didn't realize it at the time.
Q: There was a defining moment during law school that changed everything. What happened?
A: During my second year at Indiana University, I served as a guardian ad litem representing children in custody cases. I had two young clients living in poverty, and it struck me that they already had so many obstacles stacked against them before they even had a chance to make their own decisions. I remember thinking that maybe I was trying to solve problems too late. That's when I started looking into higher education because I realized education creates opportunity long before people end up in a courtroom. That experience completely changed the direction of my career.
Q: You've worked at several major universities across the country. What made Kansas State stand out?
A: My first visit to Manhattan was in 2016. I remember walking downtown and thinking it felt like classic Americana. It reminded me of Mayberry—a true college town where people genuinely know and care about each other. Since arriving at K-State, that impression has only grown stronger. This is the fifth Big 12 university I've worked at, and I can honestly say K-State has the most authentic college culture I've experienced. People here aren't friendly because they have to be. They're friendly because that's who they are.
Q: Many people hear the title "Provost" but aren't exactly sure what that means. What does your job actually involve?
A: The easiest way to describe it is that I'm the university's chief academic officer. I work with our colleges and campuses in Manhattan, Salina and Olathe to ensure students receive the highest-quality education possible. Every decision ultimately comes back to one question: How do we create the best learning experience for our students while preparing them for the future?
Q: Higher education is evolving rapidly. What excites you most about where K-State is headed?
A: Innovation. We're exploring reduced-hour degree programs that better match workforce needs, we're expanding research across the university, and we've created an AI task force to help us think strategically about how artificial intelligence should shape education moving forward. The world is changing quickly, and universities have to evolve alongside it. That's an exciting challenge.
Q: You've now called Manhattan home for a couple of years. What do you appreciate most about the community?
A: Without question, it's the people. There's a unique relationship between Kansas State and the City of Manhattan that's incredibly special. The university and community genuinely support one another, and you don't find that everywhere. Personally, I love living here. I can run, enjoy local events, attend concerts, and if I want the big-city experience, Kansas City isn't far away. It really offers the best of both worlds.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you hope your legacy at Kansas State will be?
A: I hope people see that we continued moving the university forward while staying true to who we are. My goal is to help create opportunities for students, support outstanding faculty, and position Kansas State to thrive for generations to come. Education changes lives, and if we've expanded those opportunities for more people, then I'll consider that meaningful work.
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Growing up in Wichita Falls, Texas, Jesse Perez Mendez imagined a variety of futures for himself. At different points in his childhood and early adulthood, he considered becoming a stand-up comedian, a priest, a lawyer, and even a politician. But no matter the dream, there was always a deeper motivation underneath it all: a desire to help people.
Today, that passion for service guides his work as Provost and Executive Vice President at Kansas State University, where he oversees the university’s academic vision across campuses in Manhattan, Salina, and Olathe. His role focuses on creating the best possible educational experience for students while helping prepare K-State for the rapidly changing future of higher education.
Mendez’s journey into higher education leadership was shaped during his time in law school at Indiana University. While serving as a guardian ad litem advocating for children in custody cases, he witnessed firsthand how poverty and circumstance could place young people at a disadvantage long before adulthood. The experience changed the direction of his life. Instead of pursuing a political career, he earned a PhD in higher education and dedicated himself to expanding educational opportunity, believing strongly that education remains one of society’s greatest social mobilizers.
After leadership roles at institutions including Oklahoma State University, University of Central Florida, Indiana University Indianapolis, and Texas Tech University, Mendez found a home in Manhattan. He describes K-State as having “the most authentic college culture” he has ever experienced and says the warmth of the community immediately stood out to him.
Whether helping lead AI initiatives, expanding innovative degree programs, or guiding the future of K-State, Mendez continues to focus on one core mission: creating opportunities that can positively change lives for generations to come.