03/15/18
HAYS, Kan. – Dr. Stacey Smith, chair of the Department of Applied Business Studies at Fort Hays State University, will be one of 40 members in the 2018 Leadership Kansas Class for the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.   

“Dr. Smith’s selection reflects the time and leadership she devotes to Fort Hays State University and the community,” said Dr. Mark Bannister, dean of W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

“The university and community benefit from her devotion. Participation in Leadership Kansas will provide her with additional knowledge about the state and will help her to continue to develop her leadership skills,” he said.

This year’s class is the program’s 40th. The 40 members were selected from 700 nominations.

“The Kansas Chamber is excited to welcome the newest Leadership Kansas class,” said Kansas Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb. “As one of the oldest and most prestigious statewide leadership programs in the country, Leadership Kansas has a long history of fostering greater awareness and understanding of statewide economic, business and political issues,” he said. “The program helps develop our state leaders to make Kansas a stronger and more vibrant business engine.”

The six-month program includes interaction with different experts and leaders throughout the community in three-day educational sessions and trainings in different areas throughout the state.  

The 1,400 Leadership Kansas alumni include former Kansas Gov. Bill Graves, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and U.S. representatives Lynn Jenkins and Kevin Yoder.