Published May 29, 2020
Jim Lewis, a member of the Dodge City Community College (DC3) Board of Trustees, was recently appointed to the Future of Higher Education Council, which is a subcommittee of the Kansas Board of Regents.
Lewis, a native of Topeka, owns Lewis Automotive Group, which is a family-owned car dealership with 12 locations around Kansas, including three in Dodge City. Lewis became a DC3 Trustee in January.
“The role of the trustee teaches me what control the Board has in developing the classes and training that is needed in today’s world,” Lewis said. “I’m excited to learn, from other committee members, different ways to educate and to train students. Technology is changing at a rapid pace, and I want to make sure our education system is keeping up.”
Lewis said one of his goals for the council is to get the state’s learning institutions working together more effectively. “We are all here for one reason, and that reason is to do what is best for the youth/scholars of today,” he said.
“We are so proud of Trustee Lewis for being appointed to the Future of Higher Education Council,” Dr. Harold Nolte, DC3 President, said. “He is well deserving of the honor, and I know he will do a fantastic job serving on this committee and representing Dodge City Community College, as well as all of southwest Kansas.”
In an email release, Dr. Blake Flanders, Kansas Board of Regents President and CEO, said the Future of Higher Education Council was formed because of new challenges and opportunities facing the state’s higher education system. The economy is evolving rapidly, and increases in technology are changing the way businesses operate, he said.
“We must explore ways to enhance the delivery of education beyond high school, find ways to enhance recruitment efforts, look for ways our institutions can work together, and align the needs of our infrastructure to meet projected enrollments,” Flanders said. “We will work on creating recommendations for a three-, five-, and 10-year plan to submit to the Board of Regents in November.”
By Lance Ziesch