FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2016

Johnson County Community College and Seward County Community College
Awarded Fourth Annual Data Quality Awards

(Topeka, Kansas) - During today's luncheon at the Kansas Board of Regents 2016 Data Quality and Planning Conference, Dr. Blake Flanders, President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, presented Johnson County Community College and Seward County Community College with Data Quality Awards.

Now in its fourth year, the award serves as a way to recognize institutions for excellence in the quality of data submitted and the timeliness of submissions. Awards are given each June to the two institutions with superior ratings, recognizing the outstanding team of professionals who provide each institution’s data to the Board.

"The reporting schedule is aggressive, and we are fortunate to have highly qualified and dedicated institutional personnel in the field," stated Cynthia Farrier, Director of Data, Research and Planning at the Kansas Board of Regents. "This award serves to thank those who ensure the superior quality and accessibility of higher education data in Kansas, which is necessary for data-driven decision making."

Data are submitted throughout the year to support a variety of purposes, which include state funding distribution formulas, Board and Legislative strategic agendas, research initiatives, federal and state compliance, and data transparency efforts such as the new Kansas DegreeStats website (www.ksdegreestats.org).

Six of the state’s 32 institutions scored in the top tier of established criteria, with three institutions vying for top honors. The two winning institutions led the competition by earning the highest marks in the areas of “Support for Colleagues” and “Staff Leadership among Peers.”

“Strong data reporting is critical to our success in serving students, their parents, the Board of Regents, the Legislature, and the Governor," stated Dr. Flanders, “and only possible through a well-orchestrated effort by so many dedicated individuals. We appreciate and congratulate these institutions on the standard of quality and teamwork this award represents."

Included on the 2016 selection committee were representatives from last year's winning institutions: Washburn Institute of Technology and Butler Community College. Other past winners include: Pittsburg State University, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Washburn University, and Neosho County Community College.


For more information, contact Breeze Richardson at 773-255-7847 (cell) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Award ceremony photo available here; From L to R: Cynthia Farrier, Natalie Alleman Byers (Johnson County Community College), Teresa Wehmeier (Seward County Community College), and Dr. Blake Flanders.

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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.

ICON document-PDF JCCC and SCCC Awarded Fourth Annual Data Quality Awards (PDF download)