Welcoming KU's Newest Vice Principal

Fall 2024 Editon

By Eleanor Rodriguez

KU’s new Vice Principal, Adam Randall, grew up in Portland, Oregon in a family of educators. Despite coming from a history of teachers, Randall, and his siblings were encouraged to explore the private sector. After playing community college baseball, Randall attended Oregon State University to get a degree in engineering. Post-graduation, he worked as an engineer while coaching freshman baseball at the local high school – an experience that would ultimately reshape his career. While coaching, Randall loved witnessing his players’ improvement and helping them navigate challenges. He decided he wanted more of the positive connections he was able to make through teaching and coaching kids. After four years in engineering, he made the bold decision to pursue a teaching degree, a trend that echoed in his siblings, who ended up with careers in education.

Randall is often asked about how he has so much energy to put into his vice-principal position. For him, it is all about balance. At the beginning of his 16 years of teaching, Randall struggled to find his work-life equilibrium; often coming home exhausted. To combat this, he began prioritizing getting outside to run, mountain bike, or do archery with his kids, which made his days meaningful in and out of work. With his revitalized energy, Randall has become enthusiastic about transforming the educational landscape to help students discover their own passions. He envisions an education system that empowers students to find and achieve their goals through academics, technical skills, and professionalism. Randall focuses on Career and Technical Education (CTE) and advanced programs to facilitate this vision.

Randall appreciates the tremendous pride, heritage, and diversity of KU as it reminds him of his hometown schools. He sees strength in the way people at KU embrace the school and are proud of it, and he expresses gratitude for the welcoming environment to him and his family.