Colby Community College President Steve Vacik hosted the President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents on Wednesday, Sept. 12, in Colby.

Dr. Andy Tompkins was selected to head the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) in June 2010.  KBOR is the governing board of the state’s six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions including 19 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.

After soliciting input from Dr. Vacik regarding several concerns impacting CCC and other community colleges, Dr. Tompkins provided an update on possible legislative initiatives which could impact higher education funding.

Dr. Vacik and other community college presidents attend monthly Kansas Board of Regents’ meetings in Topeka to represent the interests of their schools and to provide input regarding proposed initiatives.

As well as attending these meetings, Dr. Vacik serves on the statewide Transfer and Articulation Task Force which works to ensure transferability of courses among Kansas institutions.

Dr. Tompkins also spoke with the CCC administrative team at a noon luncheon.  He told the group that he hopes state funding for community colleges will remain static for the coming year despite calls to make significant cuts.  Colby College receives approximately 16 percent of its revenue from the state.

“Andy is great leader for our state and due to his experience working in K-12 and postsecondary education, he appreciates the role of the two-year college and the need for seamless transfer across Kansas,” Dr. Vacik stated.  “It is also noteworthy that he makes regular visits to all the college campuses and that he truly listens to the concerns of others.”