January 16 Trip to Topeka to Visit the KBOR

I am pumped! I don't know what vision and big audacious goals will come out of this process for WSU, but after our visit to Topeka, I do know that they should be BOLD. 

Members of Steering Committee in Topeka

The purpose of our Topeka trip was to meet with the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR). We asked the Regents to be part of our primary data collection process--to share with us their ideas about the future of higher education, and more specifically, WSU. The Regents were engaged and gave us permission, even better, requested that we be bold in our vision and goals. 

It was an exhilarating day. 

The morning began with several Legislators stopping by and giving us their ideas about WSU and our strategic plan. Then Governor Sam Brownback stopped by and gave us his undivided attention as we asked him his thoughts about WSU. We wrapped up our morning eating lunch with several members of the Executive Branch. 

After lunch, we got a brief but very informative tour of the Capitol by my co-chair, Ed O'Malley. Then on to the KBOR meeting. The Regents genuinely care about the future of WSU. They want us to decide what we want to be and then fulfill that mission. 

I read a saying today that sums up my feelings after out Topeka trip: Start with a vision that scares you a little and excites you a lot. 

Let's go!