Board of Regents hears strategic-plan update and student-success progress from K‑State, Pitt State and KU

The Kansas Board of Regents received an update on the systemwide strategic plan and progress reports from several universities on student-success initiatives, with presenters reporting improvements in enrollment, retention, graduation rates and research funding.

President and CEO Blake Flanders told the board that “we have enrollment up, we have retention up, we have graduation up” and that need‑based aid and institution-level strategies are contributing to those gains. He highlighted larger system trends — increased completion, more students entering the workforce and a decline in average student debt for many graduates.

Flanders also warned of an upcoming decline in high‑school graduates and a demographic shift that will require renewed outreach: national projections show the high‑school graduation peak behind the system and a projected decline in graduates in the coming years.

Campus leaders described targeted investments and tools used to drive student success.

Kansas State University

K‑State reported term-by-term persistence gains and said it has committed $4 million in FY24–FY25 to initiatives including a pre‑professional and exploratory advising center, expanded professional advising in academic colleges, summer bridge programs and retention technologies such as EAB Navigate. K‑State noted that completion grants helped students finish degrees; the university said 69 grants totaling $205,000 were awarded this year, with additional funds available in the spring. Provost-level presenter Dr. Lane (K‑State) described targets for 2030 that include a 92 percent retention goal and a 55 percent four‑year graduation-rate target.

Pittsburg State University

Pitt State described a centralized student success center, the Great Gorilla scholarship program, and a professional advising model with 16 advisors — an advisor-to-advisee load substantially below national averages. The university launched an early-alert system (Navigate360) and emphasized remote and in-person supports, reporting improved retention and degree‑map adoption across programs. President Dan Shipp and Dr. Vaughn reported progress standing up a one‑stop student success center and summer-bridge planning.

University of Kansas

KU described a multi-pronged approach including centralized scholarship packaging (U-Cash), a financial‑wellness coaching effort (Jayhawk Finances), “Plan to Pay” texting and calling campaigns to reduce hold-induced nonenrollment, and an expanded academic-advising model. KU reported higher student satisfaction and significant growth in EAB Navigate engagement and said advisors are meeting regularly with students to reduce gaps in retention.

Why it matters

Board members said the data show returns on multi-year investments in student success, but they also pressed for more work to reach underserved geographies and populations. Flanders and others emphasized both the need to expand access in Kansas communities and the importance of retaining graduates in the state workforce.

Board members asked for improved public communication about progress and for continued attention to rural and Hispanic enrollment gaps; staff said further analysis and outreach plans are under way.