Council of Chief Academic Officers

The Council of Chief Academic Officers, established in 1969, is composed of the academic vice presidents of the state universities. The Board's Vice President for Academic Affairs serves as an ex officio member, and the member from the same institution as the chairperson of the Council of Presidents serves as chairperson of the Council of Chief Academic Officers.  The chief academic officers of the University of Kansas Medical Center and Washburn University are authorized to participate as non voting members when agenda items affecting those institutions are to be considered.  The Council of Chief Academic Officers meets monthly and reports to the Council of Presidents.

The Council of Chief Academic Officers works with the Board Academic Affairs Committee through the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  One of its primary functions is to outline the academic plan for the state university system.  It has responsibility for continuous planning and for upgrading the Master Plan as circumstances dictate, and for carrying out the procedures outlined in the Board's policy for Approval of New Programs. Membership includes:

Chair- Brent Thomas, ESU
Jesse Mendez, K-State
Jill Arensdorf, FHSU
Barbara Bichelmeyer, KU
Robert Klein, KUMC
Susan Bon, PSU
John Fritch, Washburn
Monica Lounsbery, WSU
Jennifer Bonds-Raacke, KBOR

Additional information about the Councils and Committees of the Kansas Board of Regents can be requested by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

FY 2026 Meeting Information

FY 2025 Meeting Information

Previous year’s meeting agendas and minutes can be requested by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.