Kansas State University has announced that Brad Behnke will serve as interim dean in the College of Health and Human Sciences, effective July 1.

Behnke, a professor and associate dean of research and graduate studies, was appointed following an internal search, replacing Craig Harms, who is stepping down after serving in the interim role since July 2021. A national search will be conducted to fill the deanship.

As interim dean, Behnke will serve as chief academic and administrative officer of the college. The Cherokee Nation citizen is an award-winning researcher, recognized with many university and professional honors, including the 2021 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award and the 2018 College of Human Ecology Excellence in Research Award, among others.

Behnke has been with K-State since 2014 and has two current projects funded by the National Institutes of Health, including one that aims to understand the effect of heart failure and aging on diaphragm vascular dysfunction.