Prof. Behera hails from Sambalpur district and an internationally acclaimed anthropologist has taken charge as the Vice-Chancellor. Prior to joining KISS, he has served as the Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University, Berhampur University, and Rajendra University, Balangir. Prof. Behera has the distinction of being the only anthropologist in India to become the Vice-Chancellor of three different universities. He was a Fulbright Visiting Professor at California State University.