City: Lawrence
Term Ends: June 2025
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Wint Winter is a fifth-generation Kansan. He is currently a Partner at Stevens & Brand, L.L.P., and previously was CEO and Co-Chairman of Peoples Bank & Peoples, Inc. Winter served in the Kansas Senate from 1982-1992, and received a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Kansas.
Winter was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents by Governor Laura Kelly in June 2021.
City: Dodge City
Term Ends: June 2026
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Ms. Diana Mendoza is the Director of ESOL & Diversity at Dodge City Public Schools – USD 443. Ms. Mendoza attended Kansas State University where she earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.S. in Educational Leadership. She has continued her education at Kansas State University where she is currently seeking an Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction.
Ms. Mendoza began her career with USD 443 over twenty years ago, first as an ESOL Data Specialist, then as a classroom teacher, ESOL instructional coach, and now as director. In her role she works with teachers to develop best practices for working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse students, leads efforts in support of migratory youth, and is as an advocate for the diverse population of students and families in her community as well as across the State of Kansas.
She has served on key educational state committees such as the KSDE ESOL Educator’s Professional Learning Cohort, English Learner Assessment Writers Committee, Migrant Education Comprehensive Needs Assessment Committee, and the Migrant Education State Delivery Plan Committee. Additionally, she is the Kansas Member-at-Large for MIDTESOL.
City: Edna
Term Ends: June 2027
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Alysia Johnston was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents by Governor Laura Kelly in 2023.
Regent Johnston has 37 years of experience in community college education. She most recently served as the President for Fort Scott Community College, where she worked closely with the Kansas Board of Regents and the Kansas Technical Education Authority. She served as Vice President for Academic Services for Coffeyville Community College from 2005 to 2015, where she was Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee.
Regent Johnston earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Kansas State University and a Master of Science in Biology from Pittsburg State University.
City: Overland Park
Term Ends: June 2027
Neelima Parasker was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents by Governor Laura Kelly in 2023.
Regent Parasker is the President and Chief Executive Officer of SnapIT Solutions LLC, an innovative technology company providing IT services, software product development solutions, training, and staffing. With more than 20 years of experience in IT, she has held many leadership positions. She is a Board Member of KansasWorks State Workforce Board and served on the Community Development Advisory Council at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
Regent Parasker studied at Osmania University, India, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. She later earned her Master of Science in Computer Science from Oklahoma City University.
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City: Pittsburg
Term Ends: June 2026
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Blake Benson is president of the Pittsburg (KS) Area Chamber of Commerce. A native of Forrest City, Arkansas, Benson holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Arkansas State University. Now in his 27th year of chamber and economic development work, Benson is a Certified Chamber Executive and a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management. He previously served as marketing director for the Rogers, Arkansas, chamber and as vice president for the Fort Smith, Arkansas, chamber.
A past president of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce Executives Association, Benson is a graduate of Leadership Kansas and has served as board president for Ascension/Via Christi Hospital-Pittsburg, the Pittsburg Rotary Club, Pittsburg Family YMCA and Mt. Carmel Foundation. Benson was appointed by Governor Laura Kelly to the Kansas Board of Regents in 2022.
