BLOOMINGTON — Indiana University has removed Brad Kimmel, the Executive Director, and Christina Lirot, the Chief Financial Officer, from their positions at WTIU/WFIU, as reported by the organization itself on Wednesday.
This decision follows a review initiated by IU Provost Rahul Shrivastav, who expressed concerns that the Radio and Television Services (RTVS) department, which encompasses the university’s journalism outlets, was not progressing as needed.
Jay Kincaid, currently the Director of Facilities and Technology for The Media School, has been appointed as the interim executive director of RTVS. Kincaid confirmed to the Indiana Daily Student that both Kimmel and Lirot are no longer with the department. Rhonda Inman, the principal accountant for IU Bloomington, will temporarily oversee RTVS’s administration and finances.
According to WFIU/WTIU, an external consultant hired by the provost highlighted “morale issues” among staff and is exploring the possibility of relocating RTVS administration from the provost’s office to The Media School.
While the university’s executive director of media relations, Mark Bode, stated that IU cannot comment on “individual personnel matters,” the context of the leadership changes has raised questions within the department.
Kimmel had led RTVS since 2020, while Lirot had been with IU since 1999. Reports indicate that Lirot was escorted from the RTVS building by an IU staff member on the day of her departure.
Kincaid revealed that Shrivastav approached him in a brief meeting on Monday, September 23, during which the provost inquired if he would be interested in the interim role. The provost’s office confirmed Kincaid’s new position on Wednesday afternoon, September 25. The following day, Kincaid and the executive staff of WTIU/WFIU met with Shrivastav, during which staff members voiced their concerns regarding the removal of Kimmel and Lirot.
