A third-generation Kansan, Dr. Kaye Monk-Morgan is the president and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), an internationally recognized center of excellence for leadership development and civic engagement. She previously served as the inaugural chief impact officer. Her work fosters civic leadership for stronger, healthier, and more prosperous communities in Kansas and beyond.

Service and education have been hallmarks of Monk-Morgan’s personal and professional story for decades. Prior to her time at the KLC, Monk-Morgan dedicated her talents to higher education. Over 30 years, she served in roles ranging from residence hall director to Assistant Dean of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and ultimately the Vice President for Strategic Engagement and Planning. Her areas of responsibility varied over the years and included community and economic development, strategic planning, assessment and accreditation, and coordination of WSU’s First-Generation student services. Her longest appointment was as director of the TRIO Upward Bound Math Science program.

An active community servant, Monk-Morgan has served on non-profit and corporate boards at the local, state, regional, and national levels. She currently serves as a board member for: NXTUS, a non-profit that catalyzes startup ecosystems, The Kansas African American Museum; and Emprise Bank. She is a trustee for the Wichita Land Bank; and advisor to the Ulrich Museum at Wichita State University.

Her professional service record includes service as the board chair of tri-state, regional and national boards, including Council for Opportunity in Education, a Washington-based, college access and success professional association and advocacy group. She is an advocate and faculty member for NASPA’s Center for First Generation Success, faculty for the Higher Learning Commission’s Advancing Strategy Institute, and a member of the International Leadership Association.

A proud first-generation college graduate, Kaye has earned aBachelor of Chemistry/Business, a Master of Arts in Public Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Her research interests center on women in leadership and first-generation student success. She presents internationally on both topics.

While all of this is important, what really counts to Kaye is that she is a teacher, student, mentor, mentee, daughter, sister, auntie, wife, and, most importantly a mother. She is a life-long learner, aspiring yogi, wannabe long-distance runner, and tried and true girlfriend. She lives in Wichita with her husband, Derek. They share two Wichita-based young adult sons, Payton and Cameron.