Andy Tompkins became President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents on June 1, 2010. 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, and administers the Kan-ed network, a statewide network that provides broadband Internet access and distance learning capabilities for schools, hospitals, and libraries.

Dr. Tompkins most recently served as the Dean of the College of Education, and as Associate Professor in the Department of Special Services and Leadership Studies at Pittsburg State University (PSU). From 2005 to 2007, he served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Kansas.

Dr. Tompkins served as the Kansas State Department of Education’s Commissioner of Education from 1996-2005. Throughout his career he has held various positions in K-12 and higher education serving as a high school teacher, principal, superintendent, university associate professor, department chair, and college dean.

Dr. Tompkins earned his undergraduate degree in English at East Central State University in Ada, Oklahoma. He earned his master’s degree from Emporia State University and his doctorate from the University of Kansas in Educational Administration.

Dr. Tompkins has earned numerous honors including distinguished alumni and service awards from Emporia State University and the University of Kansas. He was inducted into the Kansas Teacher’s Hall of Fame in 2001, was recognized as a Master Teacher in 1999, and was awarded the leadership Kansas Alumnus of the Year Award in 2002.

Dr. Tompkins and his wife, Glenda, live in Topeka. They have two children, Kyle and Amanda.

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