(Jan. 12, 2023) – Today, the House Education Budget Committee, chaired by Representative Steven Howe (R-Salina), received an update on the state of higher education in Kansas. The committee heard from many regent leaders from across Kansas, in addition to the Kansas Community College Association, regarding programs and services to students.

Blake Flanders from the Kansas Board of Regents presented regarding the budgeting process that occurs through the board. He highlighted the strategic plan adopted in 2020. He spent time discussing that higher education leads to better health outcomes. Flanders also shared with the committee the Kansas nursing initiative, established in 2006, has had the following outcomes:

• 3,875 additional nursing students have been admitted
• 393 additional full-time faculty members have been hired
• 430 additional part-time faculty members have been hired
• 293 nurse education service scholarships have been awarded
• 27 new human patient simulators were purchased
• 3,063 additional nursing students graduated