7/26/22 

By FHSU University Communications and the Kansas Bankers Association

HAYS, Kan – The Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) and Fort Hays State University announced a partnership that will provide experienced leadership for the university’s Robbins Banking Institute. Through its subsidiary, the 501(c)(3) Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation (KBEF), the KBA will recruit and support the efforts of the next Robbins Banking Institute director.

“Identifying, recruiting, and developing the next generation of our banking industry workforce is a top strategic priority of the KBA, and I’m 100% confident this partnership will help us achieve that objective,” states Doug Wareham, President & CEO.

“FHSU’s Robbins Banking Institute is recognized by banking professionals in Kansas and across the Midwest as a resource and launch point for a rewarding career in banking. We are extremely excited about this partnership,” said Doug Wareham, president and CEO of the Kansas Bankers Association.

The Robbins Banking Institute director will act as the liaison between the Kansas Bankers Association (KBA) and Fort Hays State University. The director will represent the KBEF and the Robbins Banking Institute at various KBA functions, including professional conferences, meetings, and events in Kansas and surrounding states.

The director will be responsible for advancing the reputation of the Robbins Banking Institute among current banking professionals and key influencers. They will also actively recruit future Robbins Banking Institute program students through extensive outreach to high schools, post-secondary educational institutions, and banks in Kansas.

“The Robbins Banking Institute at FHSU offers a dynamic banking curriculum taught by highly qualified faculty. This partnership with the KBA will be a valuable asset to our program and strengthen our ties to the banking community,” said Dr. Dosse Toulaboe, chair of the Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting.

The Robbins Banking Institute director’s other duties include:

• Leading the Robbins Banking Institute Advisory Committee
• Establishing a Robbins Banking Institute alumni group
• Meeting the strategic objectives of KBEF
• Coordinating meetings and activities for the KBEF Board of Directors
• Drafting grant applications

The director will be based at KBA’s headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, and will also work extensively onsite at FHSU’s Robbins Banking Institute.

About the Robbins Banking Institute

The Robbins Banking Institute resides in the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University. The institute's purpose and goal is to teach community banking principles to prepare students to pursue careers in the banking industry.

FHSU banking students receive a strong foundation in banking principles, access to banking professionals through a speaker series, and real-world case studies in banking. They also work through a banking simulation experience, and many students participate in an internship with a community bank.