President and CEO

The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) invites applications and nominations for the position of President and CEO (CEO). As a leading voice for KBOR, the CEO must be a motivating and unifying leader, demonstrating a commitment to public service to the state of Kansas. The CEO reports directly to the Board of Regents, the governing board for six public universities and the statewide coordinating board for the 19 community colleges, six technical colleges, and one municipal university. Together, they serve over 182,000 students.

The Regents seek a forward-thinking leader who knows higher education issues, and demonstrates sound management principles and effective relationship-building skills. As the state's spokesperson for public higher education, the CEO is expected to value, articulate, and champion educational advancement statewide. It will be critical to identify a team thinker, team builder and team player to inspire trust, credibility and confidence with stakeholders.

The CEO must arrive with a commitment to provide a stable, collaborative presence for the system, serving as a resource for internal and external stakeholders alike. The new CEO will be an innovative and results-oriented administrator of the highest integrity.

Expectations

The successful candidate must have the background and wherewithal to address the following:

• A student-first focus and understanding of the preparation, support and success needs for all students;
• Appreciation of enrollment strategies on behalf of the system with ideas to enhance growth, access, completion, retention and alignment with state workforce and economic needs;
• Ability to oversee complex budgetary needs, including revenue diversification, creative allocation and resource generation;
• Capacity to attract, retain, supervise and develop a talented managerial team and administrative staff;
• Effectively navigates and manages positive relationships with state legislators and government agencies while maintaining a nonpartisan leadership approach;
• Strategic planning experience permitting guidance of the KBOR plan, priorities, mission, goals, values and policies;
• Commitment to ensuring all KBOR system students, employees and partners have the opportunity to succeed;
• Ability to navigate community engagement and bridge-building with a broad range of constituencies, including state government leaders, governed universities' leadership, coordinated institutions, K-12, business, industry and foundations;
• To be both advocate and partner in a statewide team, working with the Board of Regents and presidential leadership;
• Respect for transparency and open, clear communication practices;
• Effective problem solver and decision maker in a timely manner; and
• High emotional intelligence with strong spoken, written, listening and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

Among the CEO's key responsibilities will be the ability to develop and implement a strategic vision and long-term goals for the system. The CEO should have experience with governing board support, serving as the Board's advisor on policy, finance, academic affairs and governance. It will be critical for the CEO to guide a team to improve student outcomes, including stronger connections with K-12, economic and workforce development partners and enhancing collaborations and partnerships with stakeholder groups.

The CEO acts as the primary spokesperson for KBOR, including all communications with the Legislature, the Office of the Governor, institutional representatives, business, media, civic and other public entities on matters affecting higher education.

• Oversee the annual unified budget request;
• Collaborate with K-12 partners to improve alignment between higher education and K-12, including increasing access to early postsecondary opportunities and other research-based, innovative learning strategies;
• Collect and evaluate labor and workforce data to ensure cross-sector alignment; collaborate closely with workforce partners to understand and meet statewide labor needs;
• Oversee the maintenance and ongoing enhancement of the student data information system;
• Maintain and assess data to establish statewide higher education and economic goals;
• Review long- and short-range financial analyses to assess progress toward system goals and objectives;
• Develop budget recommendations and provide input to inform appropriations bills;
• Adjust financial plans and strategies in response to postsecondary economic conditions; and
• Maintain a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with the Presidents, Chancellors and boards of institutions of higher education.

Qualifications

• An earned doctorate or terminal degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is preferred;
• Significant executive-level experience in higher education, public policy, or organizational leadership to have the skills necessary to lead a complex higher education system; and
• Ability to obtain and maintain any required state or federal security credential necessary for access to restricted information, meetings or facilities.

Applications and Nominations

For best consideration, applicants should submit the required materials by Thursday, June 25, 2026:

• A letter of interest addressing the expectations, responsibilities and qualifications described above;
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae; and
• A list of five professional references with each person’s position, email address and telephone number(s). References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the candidate.

Application materials should be submitted in PDF format through the AGB Search portal using this link: Kansas Board of Regents - President and CEO

Applications will remain confidential until the finalist is announced.

Additional information about the search and the Kansas Board of Regents may be found on the KBOR website at www.kansasregents.gov

Please direct any nominations, expressions of interest, or questions regarding the application process to KBORpresident@agbsearch.com or to the AGB Search consultants assisting KBOR with this search:

Janice S. Fitzgerald
Senior Executive Search Consultant
AGB Search, LLC
janice.fitzgerald@agbsearch.com
(717) 580-0663

James H. McCormick
Senior Executive Search Consultant
AGB Search, LLC
jim.mccormick@agbsearch.com
(651) 238-5188

Roderick J. McDavis
Managing Principal & CEO
AGB Search, LLC
rod.mcdavis@agbsearch.com
(804) 514-1982

The Kansas Board of Regents does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policy should be directed to the Board of Regents General Counsel, 1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 520, Topeka, KS 66612-1368, phone 785.430.4240 or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education.