Jill Arensdorf, Instructor of Leadership Studies, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS

Ms. Arensdorf is actively involved in youth leadership development activities, including the Kansas Youth Leadership Academy and Kids Voting Hays program. In addition, she serves as chair of the Service-Learning committee. Jill holds a M.S. in Agriculture Education and Leadership from Texas A&M and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University.

Christie Brungardt, Instructor of Leadership Studies, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS

Ms. Brungardt is actively involved in many projects including KYLA and Service-Learning and Diversity committees. She is also a part of the Center for Civic Leadership Advisory Board. Christie holds a M.L.S. in Organizational Leadership from Fort Hays State University and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Leadership Studies from Kansas State University.

Janci Kugler, Assistant Principal, Felten Middle School, Hays, KS

Ms. Kugler is a board member of the Kansas Youth Leadership Academy. Janci has facilitated at KYLA’s specialized trainings, seminars and summer camps. She also facilitated at the Kansas Womens Leadership Conference. Janci received her master’s degree in Educational Administration from Fort Hays State University.

Andrea Crees, Office Manager & Gallery Assistant, Hays Arts Council, Hays, KS

Ms. Crees has been actively involved with the Center for Civic Leadership through the Tigers In Service and LEAD programs. She has facilitated leadership development workshops, coordinated community-wide service events, and assisted in marketing and promotional efforts for the Center for Civic Leadership. Ms. Crees is an FHSU graduate, with a B.S. in Communication and a minor in Organizational Leadership.

Chandra Daffer, Assistant Director of Student Activities, Center for Student Involvement, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS

Ms. Daffer is actively involved in the Center for Civic Leadership through the LEAD, ADP, Tigers in Service, and KYLA programs. She is the new Assistant Director for Student Activities working in the newly created Center for Student Involvement, a partner to the CCL. She has facilitated at various leadership conferences and institutes within higher education, focusing on community, leadership, integrity, commitment, and change. Chandra received her M.S. in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Higher Education from Emporia State University and graduated from Fort Hays State University with a B.G.S. in Organizational Leadership.

Brent Goertzen,Chair of the Department of Leadership Studies, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas

Dr. Goertzen has been actively involved with the Center for Civic Leadership in the Community and Collegiate Leadership Programs (now the LEAD program). He has facilitated many workshops for a variety of organizations on leadership topics. Brent holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies (Community and Human Resources) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Dr. Larry Gould, Provost/Chief Academic Officer, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas

Dr. Gould has been an active member of the CCL advisory board since its inception and is the primary sponsor of the American Democracy Project at Fort Hays State University. Larry has been awarded with the Hays Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Service Award, as well as the Pacesetter Award from the National Academic Advising Association. He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Purdue University, a Master’s from Eastern New Mexico University, and a Bachelor’s degree in History from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Justin Greenleaf, Instructor/e-Leadership.net Coordinator, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS

Mr. Greenleaf has worked with LEAD and the Tigers In Service Program. He has also served as an Academy Trainer for the Kansas Youth Leadership Academy. Mr. Greenleaf is currently serving as the webmaster and technical advisor to the Center for Civic Leadership.

Mitch Hall, Assistant to Congressman Jerry Moran, Hays, KS

Mr. Hall has been involved with the Center for Civic Leadership through his roles with the American Democracy Project (ADP) and LEAD. He has served on the ADP Vision Team and sub-committees for ADP and coordinated the Leaderville Series and LeadOFF training. In May 2005, he completed his B.A. in Political Science with an Agriculture Minor at Fort Hays State University.

Gail Kuehl, Executive Director, Kuehl Operations, Hays, Kansas

Ms. Kuehl is an active supporter of KYLA, as well as a sponsor for the program. In addition, she serves on the advisory board for the Center for Civic Leadership and KYLA. Ms. Kuehl has facilitated workshops and presented different seminars for the Center for Civic Leadership organization. Gail holds an M.L.S. in Organizational Leadership from Fort Hays State University.

Kelley Parker, Instructor of Leadership Studies, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS

Ms. Parker has served as the Assistant Director of the Center for Civic Leadership as well as the director of the Kansas Youth Leadership Academy. In 2002, Ms. Parker founded Tigers In Service, Fort Hays State University’s student-run community service program. Over the next two years, she acted as Director of the program, which was nationally recognized in 2004 by USA Weekend Magazine. Ms. Parker received her M.L.S. in Organizational Leadership from Fort Hays State University.

Mary Marston, Executive Director,
Kansas Campus Compact , Manhattan, KS

Dr. Debbie Mercer, Dean of the College of Education and Technology, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS

Dr. Mercer is actively involved in the Center for Civic Leadership through Service-Learning and the Kansas Womens Leadership Conference, and serves on the University Service-Learning Committee. She has also presented at conferences on service-learning and is an advocate for youth leadership development. Debbie holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in English as a Second Language from the Kansas State University.

Dr. Jeff Miller, Adjunct Professor, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Dr. Miller has been involved with the Center for Civic Leadership providing programming for LEAD. He is an advocate of service-learning at the local, national and international levels. A previous instructor for the Department of Leadership Studies at Fort Hays State University, Jeff holds a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University, and a Master’s as well as a Bachelor’s from Ohio State University.

Dr. Rackaway has been actively involved with the ADP serving as the faculty advisor for the program. In addition, he facilitated many of the Times Talks held on the camps of Fort Hays State University. Chapman holds a doctorate in political science from the University of Missouri.

Bill Ring, Executive Director of the American Red Cross,Hays, Kansas

Dr. William Shanahan, Director of Forensics, Assistant Professor of Communications, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS

Dr. Shanahan serves on the ADP vision team. He has participated as a panelist in the first ADP Forum “What’s the Matter with Kansas,” and has been a facilitator for Times Talk. Also, he serves on the ADP Forum planning sub-committee. Bill received his Ph.D. in Speech Communication (Rhetoric) from the University of Texas at Austin.

William Smriga, Director, Memorial Union Director, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas

Mr. Smriga is involved in coordinating and promoting ADP programs such as Times Talk. Mr. Smriga also serves on the ADP Vision Team, and has facilitated Times Talk. Bill received his Masters in College Student Personnel Administration from Indiana University.

Mary Tolar, Associate Director, Department of Educational Leadership, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

Ms. Tolar has been involved with the Center for Civic Leadership for several years, assisting primarily with service-learning and civic engagement initiatives. Through her position as Executive Director of the Kansas Campus Compact, she has helped to build capacity for our programs through the implementation of an AmeriCorps*VISTA site housed in the Center. Ms. Tolar has served as Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Truman Scholarship Foundation in Washington, DC, and is a Truman Scholar, a Rhodes Scholar, and a founding member of the National Association of Fellowships Advisors. Ms. Tolar holds degrees from Kansas State University and Oxford University.