KU chancellor’s new role as board chair of Association of American Universities reflects career of leadership

When University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, M.D., was elected chair of the board of directors of the Association of American Universities in October, he added yet another leadership position to a career already full of them.

Girod, a surgeon who was executive vice chancellor for the University of Kansas Medical Center until 2017, also serves as chair of the Big 12 Conference's board of directors and as a member of both the NCAA Division I board of directors and the NCAA board of governors. In his new leadership role at the Association of American Universities, an organization of 71 leading U.S. research universities, he will help guide the association’s work, particularly on federal policy issues affecting such universities.

Robert Klein, Ph.D., who joined the KU School of Medicine faculty 50 years ago, has known Girod since he turned down offers at Johns Hopkins and other institutions to come to KU Medical Center in 1994. Klein watched Girod rise quickly through the academic ranks.

 “It takes a unique person to embody the kind, thoughtful and strategic leadership that Chancellor Girod exemplifies. He is the strong leader higher education needs today,” said Klein, who is vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at KU Medical Center. “He brings a rare combination of humility, deliberation and a deep understanding of both academic and public service missions. Throughout his career, Dr. Girod has maintained an unwavering focus on learners, research and public impact — qualities that make him an outstanding leader.”

Even shortly after high school, Girod found himself in a leadership position. Working at a Silicon Valley start-up that made computer chips while taking community college courses at night, he became the manager of the company’s 40-person manufacturing department by the time he was 20. A few years later, en route to becoming an internationally renowned head and neck surgeon, he entered the U.S. Navy scholarship program and graduated from medical school as a Navy lieutenant as well as a doctor.  

Before joining KU Medical Center, Girod was vice chairman and research director in the otolaryngology department at the Naval Medical Center in Oakland, California. In 2002, less than 10 years after coming to KU, he became chair of KU’s otolaryngology department. In 2013, he became interim executive dean of the medical school and executive vice chancellor for KU Medical Center.

In 2017, he became the 18^th chancellor of the University of Kansas. “I now experience the full depth and breadth of KU in all its glory and complexity — obviously with a larger undergraduate focus while elevating research in many more areas,” Girod said.

Girod’s leadership style has evolved from the time he was a young surgeon. “I have learned to be more patient, listen better and learn about new areas of higher education and about the politics of higher education and research funding,” he said. “I also spend more time listening to our constituents to learn what they think about us and what they expect of us.”

Girod will lead the board of the Association of American Universities at a critical time for American higher education. He also will represent the association in discussions with lawmakers, help develop national policy positions and play a significant role in determining the association’s agenda.

“Dr. Girod is the consummate servant leader, whose humble nature lies in his absolute brilliance, especially when it comes to putting together a big picture call or strategic plan of operations or financial plans to help an organization meet its goals,” said Steve Stites, M.D., executive vice chancellor for KU Medical Center. “His life and career arc tell a story of great works done in so many different areas because his moral compass is so strong and so well supported by his intellect that he is able to accomplish things that others cannot.”