FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2015

Board Names New Emporia State University President

(Topeka, Kansas) - Today, the Kansas Board of Regents announced Allison Garrett as the 17th president of Emporia State University. The Board voted to approve the appointment and officially introduced the new president during a special meeting in the KSTC Ballroom of the Memorial Union on the Emporia State University campus.

“Naming a president of an institution is one of the most important jobs we undertake as a member of the Board of Regents,” stated Shane Bangerter, Chair of the Kansas Board of Regents. “I come before you today confident that the Board has selected the person we believe is the right fit for today and for the future of Emporia State University.”

Allison Garrett, J.D., has served as the Executive Vice President at Abilene Christian University for the past three years, and before that as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Professor of Law, Vice President of Benefits and Compliance and as General Counsel, among other positions. A native of Neosho, Missouri, she received her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tulsa, College of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Oklahoma Christian College.

Following the Board’s announcement, Allison Garrett and her husband, Chip Garrett, were introduced to members of the Emporia State University community during a reception. President Garrett will begin her presidency January 2016.

The announcement of Allison Garrett as the 17th President of Emporia State University comes after six months of work by the Presidential Search Committee. Members of the committee received public recognition for their efforts.

“It was a real honor to participate in this process, given the diligent work of the committee and the great candidates that applied,” said Andy Tylicki, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “There is true excitement for the future of our university, as we watch Allison Garrett take Emporia State University to the next level of success.”

For more information, contact Breeze Richardson at (773) 255-7847 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Gwendolynne Larson, assistant director, Marketing & Media Relations for Emporia State University at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 620-341-5528 (office) or 620-340-7544.

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About the Kansas Board of Regents:
The nine-member 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 (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state's student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas, and the Board continues to administer Kan-Ed, a program for facilitating and promoting distance learning and telemedicine in schools, libraries and hospitals. Visit the Kansas Board of Regents online at www.kansasregents.org.

Board Names New Emporia State University President (PDF download)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2015

October is “College Application Month” in Kansas

(Topeka, Kansas) - Governor Sam Brownback has signed a proclamation declaring October "College Application Month" and encouraged all high school seniors to take advantage of the assistance provided.

Across the nation, there is a significant gap between students who want to attend college and those who apply: 97 percent of high school students surveyed indicate they wanted to go to college, but only 68 percent of 2014 high school graduates were enrolled. Among low-income students the gap is even wider: though college-going rates for low-income students have doubled in recent decades, only half enroll in postsecondary education directly after high school.

"It is vital to the Kansas economy to increase the number of Kansans who have earned a certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree, and the first step in that process is applying to college," stated Regent Helen Van Etten, Chair of the Kansas Board of Regents Academic Affairs Standing Committee. "This initiative will help more Kansas students realize the dream of attending college and set them on the path toward completing their educational goals as well as their career goals."

Launched as part of the American College Application Campaign initiative, "Apply Kansas" seeks to increase the number of students who apply to college early in their senior year, with a focus on students from low-income families, first-generation students, and students who may not otherwise apply to college.

This is the first year of "Apply Kansas: College Application Month" activities, which will include events scheduled throughout the month of October. Taking place during the school day, students will receive application assistance with the goal of each participating student submitting at least one college application. Students may apply to any college of their choice, including all the public universities, community colleges and technical colleges in the state, as well as all 18 independent colleges in Kansas.

“Apply Kansas” events are coordinated by each participating high school and will utilize trained volunteers and school staff to offer support, including helping students gather information necessary to complete an application, reviewing admission standards with students before applying to their college of choice, and completing application fee waiver forms, if needed.

October events are currently scheduled at the following high schools:

• Wyandotte High School (USD 500)
• JC Harmon High School (USD 500)
• FL Schlagle High School (USD 500)
• Washington High School (USD 500)
• North High School (USD 259)
• East High School (USD 259)
• Heights High School (USD 259)
• Northwest High School (USD 259)
• Dodge City High School (USD 443)
• Parsons Senior High School (USD 503)

For communities that do not have an event scheduled, helpful advice for high school seniors can be found here: http://knowhow2go.acenet.edu/middle-and-high-school-students/make-a-plan.html 

"Apply Kansas: College Application Month" is an initiative being coordinated by a statewide steering committee, which includes representatives from the Kansas Board of Regents, public postsecondary institutions, independent colleges and high school guidance counselors. After this pilot year with ten high schools, the steering committee will work to grow the program statewide to continue creating a seamless transition between students leaving high school, entering college, and then moving into the workforce.

For more information, contact Breeze Richardson at (785) 291-3969 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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About the Kansas Board of Regents:
The nine-member 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 (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state's student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas, and the Board continues to administer Kan-Ed, a program for facilitating and promoting distance learning and telemedicine in schools, libraries and hospitals. Visit the Kansas Board of Regents online at www.kansasregents.org.

October is “College Application Month” in Kansas (PDF download)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2015

Emporia State University Presidential Finalists Selected

(Topeka, Kansas) - The Emporia State University Presidential Search Committee is pleased to announce the selection of two individuals as presidential finalists. They will each visit the Emporia State University campus next week to learn more about the university.

The first candidate will be on campus for a series of events on Tuesday, October 6, and Wednesday, October 7; the second candidate will be on campus Thursday, October 8, and Friday, October 9.

During each interview, the candidate will tour the campus and interact with various Emporia State University constituent groups. A portion of each campus interview will be open to the public.

The name of each finalist and additional details regarding the public portion of the interview will be announced one day prior to each visit. For more information about the position and Presidential Search process, visit: http://www.emporia.edu/presidential-search/.

Following campus visits, the Kansas Board of Regents will conduct interviews and make the final selection. The new President will assume office on or about January 1, 2016.

For more information, contact Breeze Richardson at (785) 291-3969 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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About the Kansas Board of Regents:
The nine-member 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 (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state's student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas, and the Board continues to administer Kan-Ed, a program for facilitating and promoting distance learning and telemedicine in schools, libraries and hospitals. Visit the Kansas Board of Regents online at www.kansasregents.org.

Emporia State University Presidential Finalists Selected (PDF download)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2015

Board of Regents Announce 2015 Fall Semester Enrollment

(Topeka, Kansas) - Preliminary fall enrollment figures released today by the Kansas Board of Regents show a slight decline in systemwide enrollment, but growth at 15 of the state’s 32 public higher education institutions.

Across the six state universities, there was an increase in enrollment at Fort Hays State University (385 students; 2.78%) and the University of Kansas (108 students; 0.39%), but overall there was a decrease of 890 students (-0.94%) compared to the preliminary census day count in 2014. Kansas State University realized a decrease in the number of enrollments (620 students; -2.5%), as did Wichita State University (508 students; -3.39%), and Pittsburg State University (235 students; -3.14%). There was nearly flat enrollment at both Emporia State University (decreasing by 20 students; -0.33%) and Washburn University, the state’s municipal university (increasing by 6 students; 0.08%).

The attached spreadsheet provides preliminary fall enrollment figures for each institution.

In the two-year sector, enrollment was down across the state’s 19 community colleges with a reported decrease of 2,165 students (-2.90%). Enrollment increased across the state’s technical colleges, where an additional 433 students (6.33%) are enrolled this fall compared to the preliminary census day count in 2014.

In total, the 2015 fall semester enrollment total is 182,101 students as of census day at each institution, a preliminary headcount of students enrolled on the 20th day of class. While the number of students enrolled on a given day during the fall semester is no longer the indicator for total enrollment that it once was, this number has been recorded for over fifty years and so continues to be reported.

However, academic year enrollment more accurately captures total systemwide participation. In 2014-2015, the total systemwide enrollment is estimated to have been approximately 250,000. Based on current enrollment numbers, the Kansas Board of Regents projects enrollment for the 2015-2016 year will remain relatively flat.

For more information, contact Breeze Richardson at (785) 291-3969 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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About the Kansas Board of Regents:
The nine-member 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 (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state's student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas, and the Board continues to administer Kan-Ed, a program for facilitating and promoting distance learning and telemedicine in schools, libraries and hospitals. Visit the Kansas Board of Regents online at www.kansasregents.org.

Board of Regents Announce 2015 Fall Semester Enrollment (PDF download)