The sudden departure of Ohio State University President Ted Carter stems from an acknowledged "inappropriate relationship" with a woman identified as Krisanthe Vlachos, a podcaster who was reportedly seeking access to university resources for her business ventures.
Carter admitted to making a mistake in allowing "inappropriate access" to university leadership and resources. The university’s official statement indicated the relationship was with "someone seeking public resources to support her personal business."
Carter, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, resigned from his $1.5 million-a-year position after this disclosure. His abrupt exit marks another leadership transition at Ohio State, which has experienced several presidential changes in recent years.
Vlachos, host of "The Callout Podcast," a program focused on connecting military personnel and veterans to the energy and utilities sectors, has been publicly linked to Carter. Carter was listed as a co-host on her podcast's website and appeared in multiple episodes, often referring to her as a "dear friend and mentor." =Her business, VetEarn USA LLC, reportedly registered in December, used an address associated with Ohio State's public broadcasting station, WOSU, where her podcast was also recorded.= JobsOhio, an economic development organization, has also been mentioned in connection with Vlachos's business interests and her interactions with Carter.
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Reports indicate that Carter's tenure at Ohio State, which began relatively recently, was cut short. The nature of the relationship, beyond it being "inappropriate," has not been officially detailed by the university.
Background:
Ted Carter Jr. had a long career in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a vice admiral before taking on leadership roles. He has been married to Lynda Kohlhepp for nearly 45 years. His departure from Ohio State has also drawn commentary from faculty groups, with some expressing criticism of his leadership style and handling of diversity and inclusion issues.
Krisanthe Vlachos was previously known within veteran advocacy circles before the current controversy. "The Callout Podcast," despite its focus, reportedly attracted relatively small audiences, with most episodes receiving only a few hundred views. The circumstances surrounding Carter's resignation have placed Vlachos and her business pursuits under significant public scrutiny.
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