[1] Each is appointed by and is responsible to the other members of that body, who delegate to him or her the day-to-day running of the university.

[2] Emporia State is one of six public universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.

[5] The longest-serving president of the university was Thomas W. Butcher, who held the office for thirty years from 1913 to 1943.

As of 13 February 2025, Emporia State is led by Ken Hush, who was named interim president in November 2021, after Allison Garrett left to become the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education chancellor.

Each president is a qualified academic professor in some department of the university and will, on occasion, teach courses.