Jennifer Bonds-Raacke has been named president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. In this role, Dr. Bonds-Raacke will lead the governing board for the state of Kansas’ six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions, which includes the six state universities, one municipal university, 19 community colleges, and six technical colleges.
Most recently, Dr. Bonds-Raacke served as the board’s vice president for academic affairs. Her extensive career in education includes prior service as president of Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington, provost and vice president for academic affairs at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and dean of the Graduate School and the Office of Scholarship and Sponsored Projects at Fort Hays State University in Kansas.
“I am deeply honored by the board’s confidence and the opportunity to serve Kansas in this role,” said Dr. Bonds-Raacke. “Our public higher education system is strengthened by 32 institutions with distinct missions and a shared commitment to students, communities and the future of our state. I look forward to working closely with the board, our institutional leaders, KBOR staff, policymakers and partners across Kansas to build on that strength. Relationships and listening will be central to my leadership, as will a clear focus on advancing the board’s priorities and creating opportunities for Kansas students and communities to thrive.”
A graduate of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Bonds-Raacke earned her master’s degree and her Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Kansas State University.