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 strategic goals and manages the day-to-day operations of the Board Office. Current initiatives he is directing include the implementation of a new strategic plan for public higher education in Kansas centered on helping Kansas families, helping Kansas businesses and increasing economic prosperity for the State; Supporting strategies including a plan to address facility renewal at state universities; and advocacy for programs that increase access including enhanced need-based student financial aid and concurrent enrollment.

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, Master 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.

Blake Flanders, Ph.D., bflanders@ksbor.org, (785) 430-4235.