At the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees meeting on July 17, Dr. Jason Kegler was approved as the new president.
At the meeting, Alysia Johnston, prior president, was honored by the board for her eight years of service.
Thirty-nine candidates applied for the position when Johnston announced her retirement in April. The field was narrowed down to three, with Kegler being selected.
Dr. Kegler assumes his duties next week as FSCC’s new president with a firm resolve to keep students as the No. 1 priority, according to a FSCC press release.
“One of my goals will be to work directly with the faculty and staff to ensure we maintain the perspective ‘students first,’” he stated in his letter of application and echoed in public forums last week. “… Oftentimes within higher education, we create ‘unintentional roadblocks’ for students. We need to review the student experience with the intention to streamline and simplify the process.”
Kegler, who earned his doctorate of education from Baker University, comes to FSCC from his job as associate vice president for student life at Pittsburg State University, his post since July 2014, according to the press release. He also serves as a deputy for the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.
Kegler was selected from a group of three finalists after a fast-tracked selection process, according to the press release.
“The board took into consideration our interview with Dr. Kegler and survey comments from faculty, staff and community members,” said John Bartelsmeyer, trustee chairman. “We also evaluated his background in the education field and other accomplishments outside the education field.
“Dr. Kegler has the ability to communicate effectively with many various and diverse situations. He is a good listener and has the desire to do the right thing. The board is looking forward to a productive and effective working relationship with Dr. Kegler.”
Kegler, originally from Kansas City and now resides in Fort Scott with his family, has a thorough understanding of the community college system having served as dean of students at Neosho County and director of student life, head women’s basketball coach, and director of admissions/marketing and admissions counselor at Allen County, according to the press release.
“I will just ask for a little ‘space and grace’,” Kegler said of advancing to his first college presidency. “… But I promise you no one will be more passionate about the job.
“Individual characteristics necessary to succeed in the role of president at FSCC include the ability to resolve conflict, communicate vision and treat everyone with respect. Each of these characteristics, I display daily.”
Kegler earned a master’s in organizational leadership from Fort Hays State University in 2009 and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth in 1996. He taught leadership classes at both Allen County and PSU.
He and his wife, Terra, a paraeducator and volleyball coach at Fort Scott High School, have three children, all in the USD 234 system, daughter Raveyn and sons Dierks and Kyron.
“Fort Scott is where my family and I decided to make our home,” he stated. “… We felt Fort Scott provided our family with opportunities and chose the community as the place to establish our future long-term.”
Dr. Kegler’s Background
EDUCATION
Ed. D. – Educational Leadership, Baker University: Baldwin City, KS, Completed May 2017
M.L.S. – Organizational Leadership, Fort Hays State University: Hays, KS, Completed July 2009
B.A. – Psychology, University of Saint Mary: Leavenworth, Kansas, Completed May 1996
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Associate Vice President for Student Life June 2014-Present
Assistant Vice President for Student Life
Director of Student Rights/Responsibilities
Pittsburg State University: Pittsburg, KS
• Chief Campus Judicial Officer for PSU
• Provide Supervision of Campus Advocacy Services, University Housing, Student Legal Services, and University Counseling
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator/Investigator
• Facilitate academic misconduct hearings
• Partner with PSU Athletics to address the needs of student-athletes
• Conduct meetings to address concerns with students and their parents upon request
• Present to faculty, staff and students on various best practices related to behavior intervention
• Function as an ombudsman, assisting with the identification and resolution of conflicts
• Chair of the PSU Behavior Intervention/Threat Assessment Team
• Consulting advisor for student government and other student organizations
• Kansas Coordinator for the Association of Student Conduct Administrators
• Serves on the PSU Higher Learning Commission Committee
• Domain Co-Chair of Retention and Performance Management Task Force
• Collaborate with PSU partners in accordance with the Mission and Vision
Accomplishments
• Implemented Maxient Student Conduct Software and serve as the University administrator
• Led efforts to re-charter the nationally recognized Greek fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.
• Served as Interim Chief of University Police and Parking Services
• Formalized and Enhanced PSU’s Behavior Intervention/Threat Assessment Team
Deputy Sheriff January 2013-Present
Allen County Sheriff’s Office: Iola, KS
• Community/School liaison, certified ALICE trainer
• Coordinated full scale active shooter exercise
• Assist with the management of social media accounts
• Patrol and law enforcement responsibilities
Dean of Student Development July 2011-June 2014
Neosho County Community College: Chanute, KS
• Served as the Chief Student Affairs Officer for the institution
• Managed Auxiliary Services including food service and housing
• Coordinated compliance of federal mandates
• Collaborated with the Dean of Enrollment Management to remove barriers
• Established Neosho Campus Assessment Team (N-CAT)
• Provided updates and diversity training to campus to promote better relationship between
students and staff
• Supervised the preparation of institutional, state, and federal reports
• Assumed responsibility for all personnel and budgetary decisions within Student Affairs
• Developed initiatives to promote student retention and increase completion rates
• Built community relationships through speaking engagements and service
Accomplishments
• Established effective communication between Student Affairs and Athletics
• Developed crisis management protocol in the event of campus emergencies
Director of Student Life August 2002-June 2011
Allen Community College: Iola, KS
• Managed the budget and daily operations of student housing
• Supported game day activities and managed the concession stand for events
• Established the Devils Domain, an energetic student section for home games
• Supervised both professional staff and student employees
• Enforced policies and procedures defined by the college administration
• Fostered a positive relationship with law enforcement and college community
• Designed and assessed Student Life activities to promote the College Mission
• Sponsored student organizations such as Student Senate
• Served as Academic Quality Improvement Project Committee Co-Chair
• Served as a member of the Strategic Planning Team
Accomplishments
• Instituted hall councils to address behavior issues in the residence halls
• Maintained a Spring retention rate of at least 90% in each of my last 5 years
Head Women’s Basketball Coach April 2000-April 2005
Allen Community College: Iola, KS
• Coached successful NJCAA women’s basketball team
• Recruited student-athletes and their families
• Empowered student-athletes to define their success
Director of Admissions/Marketing – Admissions Counselor April 2000-August 2002
Allen Community College: Iola, KS
• Developed annual recruiting plan for students
• Coordinated mass enrollment days for perspective students
• Partnered with faculty on student advising concerns
• Led Marketing Committee
• Collaborated with service area high schools on dual credit enrollment
• Prepared and managed multiple recruiting and marketing budgets
• Participated in the college’s strategic planning process
AFFILIATIONS
Association of Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA)
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP)
Certified ALICE Trainer
Higher Learning Commission – Peer Reviewer
Kansas Sheriff’s Association
National Behavior Intervention Team Association (NaBITA)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Allen Community College Iola, Kansas 2007-2011
LDR101 Principles of Leadership
Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, Kansas 2016-Present
LDRS 600 Foundations of Leadership