Kansas Board of Regents Awarded Strategic Impact and Innovation Grant
The Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC) has awarded the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) a $250,000 grant to modernize its information technology and infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of students, institutions, and the workforce.
“This grant will allow us to improve data-driven decision-making and support student success across Kansas’ public higher education system,” said KBOR President and CEO Blake Flanders. “Investing in transformative technology solutions will position our system to better serve Kansas families and businesses. The Board is excited to continue this important work and thankful for our partnership with MHEC.”
The nine-member KBOR is both the governing board of the state’s six universities and the statewide coordinating board for all 32 of the public higher education institutions. In addition to supporting this diverse group of institutions, KBOR administers student financial aid programs, a state university capital renewal initiative, adult basic education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. KBOR also has statutory responsibilities to collect and analyze data and maintain a uniform postsecondary education data base.
The MHEC grant will allow KBOR to implement a suite of targeted software solutions designed to modernize internal operations and enhance service delivery. These investments will streamline critical workflows and integrate artificial intelligence capabilities, significantly reducing the time required from staff and redirecting valuable human resources toward more strategic, high-impact initiatives. The grant will also improve critical improvements in cybersecurity.
“We were impressed by the forward-thinking proposal from the Kansas Board of Regents,” said Susan G. Heegaard, MHEC President. “We believe this investment will yield lasting benefits for students and institutions in Kansas and reinforce the state’s commitment to accessible, affordable, and high-quality postsecondary education.”
MHEC’s Strategic Impact and Innovation Grants support high-impact, collaborative initiatives that address state needs and that align with the MHEC’s vision to strengthen postsecondary education and advance regional economic vitality. Each of MHEC’s 12 member states can apply for a grant for up to $250,000.
For more information about the grant, contact Carrie Wandler, senior director of policy initiatives at MHEC.