The president of the board that oversees public higher education in Kansas is stepping down from his position in July. 

Blake Flanders, who’s held the president and CEO role since 2015, announced his plan to retire in a Jan. 29 press release.

Flanders is not a member of the Kansas Board of Regents, which is responsible for higher education institutes in the state, but instead is a member of its staff. This means he was hired by the board, not appointed by the governor as the nine regents are. 

In the release, Flanders said he was thankful for the opportunity to serve Kansas and proud of KBOR’s work. 

“Throughout his tenure,” KBOR Chair Blake Benson said, according to the release, “Dr. Flanders has addressed our most pressing challenges with bold, data-driven solutions that are grounded in outcomes and accountability. Our higher education system and our entire state have benefitted from his innovative leadership and commitment to serving Kansas.”

Flanders was responsible for helping shape KBOR’s strategic plan. In the last five years, on-time graduations from state universities grew by 10% and state-funded aid to students has increased by nearly four times.

The board has also grappled with issues like growing costs to operate universities and the loss of some federal funding to universities. 

KBOR oversees six state-owned universities, including Wichita State, as well as other institutions, like community colleges and technical schools. The regents are responsible for setting tuition and fees, administering state financial aid and driving the policy and goals of higher education within the confines of state law.