Speakers

Dr. Blake Flanders serves as President and CEO for the Kansas Board of Regents. The Kansas Board of Regents is
the governing board of the state’s six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher
education institutions (seven public universities, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition,
the Board administers the state’s student financial aid, adult education, GED, and career and technical education
programs. The Board also authorizes private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions to operate in Kansas.
As President and CEO, Blake oversees the implementation of the Board’s strategy goals and manages the day-to-day
operations of the Board Office. Current initiatives he is directing include the development of a new strategic plan for
public higher education in Kansas centered on families, businesses and economic prosperity; a plan to address
deferred maintenance at state universities; and advocacy for programs such as enhanced need-based student financial
aid and a concurrent enrollment pilot project.

Prior to serving as President and CEO, Blake served as the Vice President for Workforce Development for
the Board of Regents and as the liaison between the Board and the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Blake is a graduate of Colby Community College and Kansas State University where he earned a Bachelor
of Science in Animal Science, Masters of Science in Animal Science, and Doctorate of Philosophy in
Curriculum and Instruction. Before joining the Board office, he served as Vice President of Instructional
Services at Manhattan Area Technical College, and as a member of the faculty at Butler Community
College.

Blake and his wife, Risa, have three children and reside in Topeka.
 

Barn'rds will be catering the lunch.  RSVP's REQUIRED for all members and guests attending, to get an accurate count for food.  

ACTUAL date TBA -- rescheduled from Jan 2020