Illinois State leader quits after less than 2 years on job

NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State University’s president has resigned after less than two years on the job.

The Illinois Pantagraph reported Wednesday that the school’s board of trustees approved Terri Goss Kinzy’s resignation Feb. 10. Board documents indicate her resignation was effective on Tuesday.

The documents offered no explanation for Kinzy’s resignation. Kinzy said in a statement distributed by the university that she intends to pursue "other opportunities." Board spokesperson Eric Jome said the board and the university would have no further comment.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos said after the announcment that he didn’t know about Kinzy’s resignation.

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"I will say, I’ve always had a good working relationship with her as a university president," he said, "but I really can’t say any more than that because I don’t know what’s going on."

The Pantagraph reported that the board plans to vote on a separation agreement for Kinzy. She took over the job in July 2021 and had agreed to serve through June 30, 2025.

The board plans to vote Friday to approve Aondover Tarhule as interim president. Tarhule has served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at ISU since 2020. Pending board approval, he’ll serve as interim president until June 30, 2024.