FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2015
100th Employer Recognized for Partnership with Higher Education
(Topeka, Kansas) - The Kansas Board of Regents Employer Engagement Initiative recognizes business and industry for partnerships with education. The initiative provides a platform for community colleges and technical colleges to recognize key employers for contributions to the system, institution, program, and students.
"Our colleges rely on strong partnerships with employers to give students the highest quality opportunities at the completion of their educational experience," stated Dr. Blake Flanders, Kansas Board of Regents Vice President for Workforce Development.
Since the program's launch in 2013, colleges can nominate employers at one of three levels (Supporter, Partner, and Champion), based on the contributions to a program by the employer. Once an employer is nominated, the Kansas Board of Regents in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Commerce provides an award that recognizes the employer and the institution for their collaborative efforts.
A ceremony today at Labette Community College will recognize the 100th employer to have their contributions to higher education in Kansas acknowledged and celebrated.
"Working with the great faculty and students at Labette Community College has been a rewarding experience for us here at Labette Health," stated Kathi McKinney, Chief Nursing Officer at Labette Health in Parsons, KS, one of the employers being recognized at today's ceremony. "I am very proud that we are able to collaborate with the college and participate in the education of future nurses for our community."
There are now 17 colleges participating with 116 employer partnerships recognized.
For a complete list of participating institutions and employers, visit our website at: http://kansasregents.org/workforce_development/employer_engagement_initiative
The contributions made by employers at each level can be reviewed at:
https://kansasregents.org/workforce_development/employer_engagement_initiative/levels_of_support
For more information, contact Breeze Richardson at 785-291-3969 or
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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.
100th Employer Recognized for Partnership with Higher Education (PDF download)