The State of Education in Kansas

Join the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board for the spring Student Advisory Board Program, “The State of Education in Kansas.” SAB coordinator Kenna McNally will be joined by experts to discuss K-12 education policy in Kansas.

Kenna McNally serves as the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board Coordinator, in addition to her role as the Dole Institute’s Marketing Intern. She is a junior studying Digital Marketing Communication, Advertising and Public Relations, public policy, and business.

Brett Parker worked in Kansas schools as a classroom aide, substitute teacher, and classroom teacher before being elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2016. After leaving the House, Brett has worked for Kansas NEA supporting and advocating for educators in the greater Kansas City area in Kansas.

Senator Doug Shane (R) represents the 37th Senate District, which includes northern Miami County and southwestern Johnson County. Senator Shane is passionate about education, possessing a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Production Medicine and Epidemiology. He became active in education policy after serving on the Louisburg USD 416 Board of Education. As a freshman senator serving on the education committee, he has become a new leading voice on State education policy.

Representative Mari-Lynn Poskin (D) was elected to represent Kansas House District 20 in 2020. Mari-Lynn is a Kansan by choice, choosing to put down roots here in the aftermath of 9/11 after pursuing a corporate relocation lifestyle for many years. She and her husband David have a blended family of seven children who spent a total of 90 years in K-12 classrooms, 62 of which were in Kansas public schools, making them her top legislative issue. David has secondary progressive MS, is in a wheelchair full time and Mari-Lynn is his primary caregiver, giving her firsthand insight into the struggles of living with chronic disease and the importance of access to healthcare and growing its workforce. Before joining the legislature, Representative Poskin worked for 20 years in higher education, including trade, community and four-year colleges. She believes our young Kansans are our greatest asset and will continue to fight to make sure that the qualities which drew her to Kansas continue to define the Sunflower State for generations to come.