The selection of Bernadette Gray-Little as the 17th chancellor of the University of Kansas was by all measures an excellent choice by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Gray-Little brings a great deal of valuable leadership experience and good judgment to the chancellor’s office and is well suited to guide the University.

Because Gray-Little is entering the job at age 64, the choice may have raised a few eyebrows. But, her age should not be viewed as a shortcoming. It should be seen as an advantage.

In her welcoming ceremony last week, the incoming chancellor said she expected this to be her last professional post — something that should reassure KU students, staff and faculty. Gray-Little won’t spend any time job searching. This isn’t a jumping post or a step towards something better — she plans to retire from the University of Kansas.

With vacancies in the office of the provost and office of the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, finding qualified replacements may seem like a daunting task. But Gray-Little is uniquely suited to fill these roles. She has served as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina and currently serves as the executive vice chancellor and provost. She knows the demands and responsibilities of these positions and will be able to choose the best-suited individuals for the posts.

In her time at UNC, Gray-Little has climbed the administration’s ranks at an impressive rate.

At seven pages long, her résumé is certainly impressive. A licensed practicing psychologist, Gray-Little has been a Fulbright Fellow and in May received the UNC Distinguished Service Award.

As large public research institutions, the University and the University of North Carolina have a lot in common. Gray-Little currently oversees UNC’s medical campus, which has already been designated as a National Cancer Institute. This experience should help the University achieve that same goal.

Gray-Little identified education and research as her main goals for the University. This should assure students that the new chancellor’s priorities are in the academic realm, not with outside influences such as the Athletics Department.

Gray-Little brings quality experience and is a promising replacement for Chancellor Hememway. The Kansas Board of Regents and members of the search committee should be lauded for their selection of Gray-Little.

— —Kevin Hardy for the Kansan Editorial Board