TOPEKA –The Kansas Board of Regents named K-State alumnus Dr. Blake Flanders as the new Board of Regents CEO.

A motion to hire Flanders passed with unanimous support during Wednesday’s meeting. He replaces Andy Tompkins who is retiring.

Flanders, who has served as the board’s Vice President of Work Force Development, will begin his new responsibilities this summer.

“Dr. Flanders is a man of Kansas, with great accomplishments,” stated Kenny Wilk, Chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents. “He will provide continuity and stability as we continue to move higher education forward in Kansas.”

Born in Edson, Kansas, Dr. Flanders is a graduate of Goodland High School (1982), Colby Community College (1984), and Kansas State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science (1986), Masters of Science in Animal Science (1989), and Doctorate of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction (2004).

Before serving in his current capacity, Dr. Flanders served as the liaison between the Kansas Board of Regents and the Kansas Department of Commerce (2004-2007), Vice President of Instructional Services at Manhattan Area Technical College (1998-2004), and as a member of the faculty at Butler Community College (1988-1998).

During his remarks via Twitter, Dr. Flanders said, “I want every Kansan to have the opportunity to pursue an education, just like I did.”