Carolyn Pizzuto, vice president for human resources, will leave Kent State to become a senior executive at a growing Akron supply chain company.

Pizzuto, who has been the vice president since October 2002, submitted her resignation to President Lester Lefton Nov. 8. She will continue to oversee the division of human resources until Jan. 4, 2008.

Her latest pay raise gave her a salary of $155,500 as of Sept. 1.

Pizzuto said the company’s new owner, a former business associate, asked her to become senior vice president of corporate planning at ASW Global, which has its headquarters in Mogadore.

She said part of her job will be to help expand the company.

“There is a growth opportunity there, both for the company and for me,” Pizzuto said.

She owned a consulting company before she came to Kent State five years ago.

Pizzuto said it was difficult to make the decision to leave.

“I love it here,” she said. “I really like the environment. I love the eight campuses. Each campus has its own personality.”

Pizzuto said she’s seen Kent State through some difficult budget years and has enjoyed helping departments and divisions work with the resources they have.

She she’ll especially miss the people she’s worked with.

“I have a phenomenal team,” Pizzuto said.

She said she liked working with graduate students on human resource initiatives, and hopes to be able to employ students in her new position.

Contact academics reporter Kiera Manion-Fischer at [email protected].