General Education Council & Operating Procedures 

• Kara Wheeler - Allen Community College
• Gaile Stephens - Emporia State University
• Brad Will - Fort Hays State University
• Troy McCloughan - Fort Scott Community College
• Mel Whiteside - Hutchinson Community College
• Cathy Almai-Mahurin - Johnson County Community College
• Trisha Gott - Kansas State University
• Melinda Roelfs - Pittsburg State University
• Jennifer Roberts - University of Kansas
• Beth O'Neill - Washburn University
• Gina Crabtree - Wichita State University 

1.  How did the Systemwide General Education start?

At the end of FY 2020, the Board expressed a strong desire to develop a more robust system-based approach to facilitate student transfer. Building on this vision, in FY 2021 and 2022, the Board established a goal to develop a systemwide general education (GE) package under a common framework. When framing this goal, the Board instructed Board staff to develop a system-based GE package that would maximize the application of credit throughout the system, simplify processes for transfer students, and remove barriers for transfer students. 

At the outset of this work in September 2020, 14 out of 15 states in the central United States had some variation of a systemwide GE, with Kansas being the outlier without a systemwide GE.  From September 2020 to May 2022, a GE working group consisting of 19 faculty and administrators from community colleges, universities, and one technical college, a nine-member GE implementation working group consisting of registrars and transfer academic advisors, and detailed feedback from institutions helped shape the GE framework and its related policies.

The policy revisions and additions pertaining to GE and the application of transfer GE credit were approved by the Board on June 15, 2022.

2.  What policy additions and revisions were approved by the Board?

First, a new policy, the Systemwide General Education Program policy (Chapter III.A.18), creates a systemwide GE for the state universities, community colleges, and Washburn University.  Most notably, this details the common system framework (disciplines, core subjects, and credit hours) that each institution will adopt, establishes institutional reporting requirements, and creates a GE Council, which will be responsible for reviewing institutional reporting, issuing recommendations regarding requests for certain majors to deviate from the GE requirements, and investigating student and institutional complaints relating to the systemwide GE program and its application to the Transfer and Articulation policy.  

Second, revisions were also made to the Transfer and Articulation policy to detail how the systemwide GE program applies to transfer students. These revisions are detailed in a new section titled Transfer of Systemwide General Education Requirements (Chapter III. Section A.2.g.). The new language provides guidance around transfer coursework in relation to program and institution-specific GE English and communication courses. Additionally, it also outlines how GE transfer credit works for students who completed the systemwide GE and did not complete the systemwide GE.

3.  Who is participating in the systemwide GE?

The six state universities and the participating coordinated institutions (for this policy, this includes the community colleges and Washburn University) will implement the systemwide GE. It should be noted that technical colleges have a statutorily defined technical function that limits their degree offerings to the Associate in Applied Science degree, which requires significantly less GE and is not primarily designed for transfer.  Thus, technical colleges will not participate in the systemwide GE.

4.  What degrees are included in the systemwide GE?

5.  Can institutions participate in certain parts of the Systemwide GE Program policy and the Transfer of Systemwide GE Requirements policy section and not participate in other parts of these policies?

No. State universities are required to comply with every aspect of both policies. Unless a coordinated institution has opted out, coordinated institutions are also required to participate in every aspect of both policies.   

6.  If a coordinated institution has determined that it will opt out of participating in the General Education Program policy and the Transfer of Systemwide General Education Requirements policy section, what is required and how will this information be documented?

The All Star High School program, launched in 2022, extends the Apply Kansas mission to enhance college access by guiding students through the application process. Students in these schools receive support in completing admissions applications, seeking financial aid, and celebrating all postsecondary paths. This ongoing series of events, sustained year after year, cultivates a college-going atmosphere throughout the entire school community.

2025 All Star High school recognition

2025 Kansas All Star High Schools

Map of 2025 All Star High Schools

How to Become an all star high school

1. Host an Apply Kansas Event

Register as an Apply Kansas School

Host your Application Event

2. Submit your Apply Kansas Summary Data (due annually December 1st)

3. Sponsor or collaborate on a FAFSA Completion Event (typically between Oct-Feb)

Plan an event where students & parents can start on the FAFSA application together

Event should provide support to answer specific, confidential questions for families. Financial Aid officers and Admissions representatives from local institutions are often good resources and willing to come help.

FAFSA events can be held at the high school, but can also be held at higher education institutions or other community locations if you are joining together with other high schools.

Be aware of shift work, first generation, undocumented students and other underserved populations. Try to create an event at times and in locations that meets the needs of your underserved community members.

If you host a FAFSA event in the fall, consider doing something again in Jan-Feb. Many students who would benefit most from the FAFSA aren't always ready to apply in the fall. Follow up encouragement and support in the new year might be just what some students need to finalize those postsecondary plans

4. Host a Senior Signing Day Event (around May 1)

This event should celebrate the decisions and different pathways for your seniors.

It can be as big or small as you want to make it. (Some schools make it actual signing event for all seniors and invite different colleges, and some incorporate announcing the plans of all seniors into their Honors and Awards ceremony. Creating a bulletin board, banner, poster activity, t-shirt day are all some of the many great ways you can celebrate your seniors' plans) See the link in the resources below.

Whatever you plan, consider how it will look for students planning to go to work or other placements. If you are announcing college placements, how will you announce the job placements? If you do a t-shirt day, will all students be able to participate? You might have to get creative with some of the non-traditional pathways. 

Consider if you can share these pathways with your underclassmen. Can you hang the banner or bulletin board for the school community to see? Are underclassmen invited to your award ceremony. By celebrating every senior, you give all of your students an opportunity to consider a post-secondary path outside of what they already know. 

5. Complete the All Star High School Survey (April 1st) from Mistie Knox to describe your three events

 RESOURCES

Financial Aid Resources

Hosting a FAFSA Event Webinar

College Signing Day National Resource Website

Google Doc with College Signing Day Photos & Ideas (add your ideas to share here!)

BANNER

Each All Star High School will receive a certificate and vinyl banner to display at school (photo 1). Each year after that, award winning schools will receive a certificate and star sticker to add to their banner, indicating multiple award winning years (photo 2).

Year #1: Banner

Year #2-5: Sticker

CONTACT

For more information:

Mistie Knox, Associate Director, Academic Affairs

Apply Kansas State Coordinator

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) and rpk GROUP (rpk) are collaborating on a project to ensure the six KBOR bachelors-granting institutions are offering academic programs that align with Kansas’ goals for the State’s higher education enterprise, meet student expectations for programs centered on student success and increasing their employability, and efficiently deliver faculty and staff resources across each institution, division, and department. KBOR and rpk will work with system and campus stakeholders to ensure transparency and collaboration to create recommendations to optimize the system to achieve increased student outcomes and institutional efficiencies. rpk will provide KBOR with Academic Portfolio and Workload reviews. Both deliverables will include actionable recommendations and frameworks for future analyses to allow KBOR to continuously improve the system and elevate further the work institutions are doing to serve the citizens of Kansas.

To this end, KBOR and rpk formed a Steering Team to inform the project’s development, review analyses as they are completed, provide feedback, and raise opportunities for additional communication and stakeholder engagement. The Steering Team met on the dates below. 

Academic Portfolio and Workload Reviews FAQ

Academic Portfolio and Workload Review Feedback Form

Steering Team Meetings:

The members of the Steering Team are the following:

Project Leaders
Daniel Archer – Vice President for Academic Affairs, KBOR
Sam Christy-Dangermond – Director of Academic Affairs, KBOR
Cindy Farrier – Director of Data, Research and Planning, KBOR

Kansas Board of Regents
Blake Benson
John B. Dicus
Cheryl Harrison-Lee (Chair)
Carl Ice
Shelly Kiblinger, Ed.D.
Cynthia Lane, Ed.D.
Diana Mendoza
Jon Rolph (Vice-Chair)
Wint Winter, J.D. 

Emporia State University
Diana Kuhlman - Vice President for Administration & Finance
JoLanna Kord, Ph.D. – Assistant Provost
Ray Lauber – Executive Director of Human Resources

Fort Hays State University
Jill Arensdorf, Ph.D. – Provost
Angela Pool-Funai, Ph.D. - Assistant Provost/Dean of the Graduate School
Joe Bain, J.D. - University General Counsel

Kansas State University
Chuck Taber, Ph.D. – Provost
Tanya Gonzalez, Ph.D. – Interim Associate Provost
Debbie Mercer, Ph.D. – Dean, College of Education

Pittsburg State University
Howard Smith, Ph.D. – Provost
Paul Grimes, Ph.D. – Dean of Kelce College of Business
Jamie Brooksher, J.D. – University General Counsel

University of Kansas
Barb Bichelmeyer, Ph.D. – Provost
Chris Brown, Ph.D. – Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Jen Roberts, Ph.D. – Vice Provost of Academic Affairs

Wichita State University
Shirley Lefever, Ph.D. – Provost
Linnea GlenMaye, Ph.D. - Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Ashlie R. Jack, Ph.D. - Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness 

KBOR and rpk GROUP established a Data Team to align data definitions, guide data collection, provide qualitative information, and ensure the framework captures institutional differentiation. The Data Team met on a bi-weekly basis. Data Team meetings occurred on:

April 7, 2022
June 1, 2022
June 22, 2022
July 13, 2022
July 28, 2022
August 10, 2022
August 24, 2022
October 19, 2022

The members of the Data Team are the following:

Project Leaders
Daniel Archer – Vice President for Academic Affairs, KBOR
Sam Christy-Dangermond – Director of Academic Affairs, KBOR
Cindy Farrier – Director of Data, Research and Planning, KBOR 

Kansas Board of Regents
Marti Leisinger, J.D.  – Associate Director
Nathan Snyder – Project Developer

Emporia State University|
JoLanna Kord, Ph.D. – Assistant Provost of Institutional Effectiveness
Christy Schreck – Assistant Director, Institutional Research

Fort Hays State University
Kristi Mills – Institutional Research Manager, Institutional Research
Min Sangki, Ph.D. – Assistant Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness
Darren Stieben – Coordinator, Institutional Research

Kansas State University
Bin Ning, Ph.D. – Associate Provost, Institutional Research and Assessment
David Warren – Senior Data Analyst – Institutional Research

Pittsburg State University
Tammy Higgins – Director of Institutional Research
Melinda Roelfs – Registrar

University of Kansas
Corinne Bannon – Director for Institutional Effectiveness
Gwen Bohling – Assistant Director for Official Reporting
Mason Jackson – Principal Analyst
Barbara Russell – Research Analyst
Matt Schuette, Ph.D. – Associate Director of Institutional Research, Medical Center
Nick Stevens – Chief Data Officer|
JoAnn Williams – Principal Analyst 

Wichita State University
Tiffany Franks – Assistant Director, Office of Planning & Analysis
David Smith – Senior Research Analyst, Office of Planning & Analysis
David Wright, Ph.D. – Chief Data Officer and Associate Vice President

KBOR and rpk established a Faculty Advisory Group Comprised of faculty representatives from the six state universities. The Faculty Advisory Group is charged to remain informed of the project, ask questions and ensure institutional stakeholders know how to ask questions, and raise opportunities for additional communication and stakeholder engagement. The Faculty Advisory Group met on May 19, 2022. The group will reconvene at regular intervals to receive project updates.

Emporia State University
Brenda Koerner, Ph.D.- Associate Professor, Faculty Senate President, 2021-2022

Fort Hays State University
Janet Stramel, Ph.D. – Professor, Faculty Senate President, 2021-2022

Kansas State University
Laura Littrell, Ph.D. – Director, Faculty Senate President, 2021-2022

Pittsburg State University
Amy Hite, DNP – Professor, Faculty Senate Executive Committee, 2022-2023

University of Kansas
Nate Brunsell, Ph.D. – Professor, Faculty Senate President-Elect, 2022-2023 

Wichita State University
Jeff Pulaski, M.F.A. – Director, Professor of Graphic Design

University of Kansas Medical Center
Holly Hull, Ph.D., Associate Professor - Faculty Assembly Committee Chair, 2021-2022

2025 kansas fafsa challenge

Started in 2021, the Kansas FAFSA Challenge is a statewide FAFSA completion competition among Kansas high schools.  Schools will be grouped by size and recognized in two different categories:

• Highest FAFSA Completion Rate
• Schools with at least 70% FAFSA Completion rate

School size is based on the building headcount as of the September 20th count day, as reported to KSDE. The data is then categorized according to KSHSAA classifications.

The Kansas FAFSA Tracker shows each high school's FAFSA Completion rate. 

Competition Structure

The Kansas FAFSA Challenge will be active from October 1*, or when the FAFSA opens, until June 30 each year.  We use senior class size data as reported to KSDE, and the FAFSA completion numbers for this year as reported by FAFSA state-wide data.  The winning schools will be announced and recognized annually at a Board meeting. 

*The 2025-2026 FAFSA application opened for students on November 21, 2024

fafsa completion project Data access 

Kansas school districts are able to see your individual high school students FAFSA  through the FAFSA Completion Project.  

Each district submits a request for access, and the designated district contact is responsible for distributing the data to individual schools.

Here is more information:  FAFSA Completion Project information

Here is the application form:  FAFSA Completion Project application 

Track your progress with the Kansas FAFSA Tracker

The Kansas FAFSA Tracker allows schools to see weekly updates of their FAFSA completion percentages. This website shows a calculated FAFSA percentage for every Kansas High School* and creates a leaderboard for Kansas high schools and each KSHSAA division. 

(*Schools will only show on the leaderboard if they have at least 5 FAFSA completions.  Click the FAFSA state-wide data to see the most recent number of FAFSA completions for your school)

If you see an error or cannot find your school contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.      

To see a brief walk thru on how to use the Kansas FAFSA Tracker website: Kansas FAFSA Tracker Demo Video (7 mins) 

Note from Federal Student Aid: 
School names will not be displayed if they have never had at least five application completions for any reported time period.
If a school name is listed, but has fewer than five application completions for a given time period, the value of “<5” will be used as a placeholder for the number of application submissions and completions. Applications from these schools are, however, included in the district calculations.

Announcements from Federal Student Aid on data:
Do you have concerns related to your high school within the data or on the FAFSA form? Our “FAQ” and “Data Details” pages reflect recent changes and trending questions, including the definition of a senior, why some schools are not listed on the FAFSA form, and common errors or misconceptions when analyzing the data.

FAFSA Event Resources

One of the best ways to increase FAFSA completion rates and support your students and families in navigating the FAFSA is by holding a FAFSA completion event at your school.  Listed below are some lessons & resources you can share with your school community.  Everything you need to plan, experts to call, and steps to follow to host a FAFSA event for your students & parents.

Planning a FAFSA Completion Event 

FAFSA & Financial Aid Resources

FAFSA Website

FAFSA Completion Event Webinar Recording- January 21, 2021

Kansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (KASFAA)- Counselor Training Webinars