02/18/26

By: FHSU Political Science Program

HAYS, Kan. – Wendy Rohleder-Sook, chair of the Fort Hays State University Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science, and assistant professor of Political Science, was recently appointed to the Kansas Rural Justice Initiative Committee by Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Rosen.

Rohleder-Sook previously served on the 2022 Rural Justice Initiative Committee, which examined the unmet legal needs in rural Kansas and made recommendations related to the shrinking number of attorneys living and working in rural areas. The new standing committee will work to implement and monitor the effectiveness of those recommendations. Rohleder-Sook will serve in her new appointment until June of 2029.

“I’m honored to serve on this committee to help improve access to legal services in rural Kansas,” said Rohleder-Sook. “Having grown up and lived most of my life in northwest Kansas, I understand how vital these services are to our rural communities. Access to legal representation, including the opportunity to develop a face-to-face relationship with an attorney, is critically important.”

Work has already begun to implement the committee’s recommendations, including supporting legislation to address law student loan debt. The members have also partnered with Kansas law schools and bar associations to develop professional organizations for rural attorneys.

Rohleder-Sook looks forward to continued collaboration and creating solutions for rural Kansans.