Kansas Leadership Center

Seventy students. Seven universities. One day to strengthen voices for free expression.

#WhenEveryoneLeads #CivicEngagement #YouthLeadership

National Civics Bee Kansas State Finals | Kansas Leadership Center KLC is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and several chambers of commerce across Kansas to host a statewide civics competition.

3️⃣ Applications for the 2026 #NationalCivicsBee are now open. Students in grades 6–8 are invited to identify a community challenge, propose a solution & explain how civic principles can bring it to life.

#CivicEngagement #YouthLeadership

2️⃣ Then, mark your calendar for November 11, when Wichita student Tanya Ramesh represents Kansas at the #NationalCivicsBee Championship in D.C. You can be part of the excitement—register to watch virtually for free.

Kansas students are showing what civic engagement looks like in action.

1️⃣ Watch this 90-second recap by Fayola Oyatayo capturing the highlights & energy of the Kansas State Finals of the #NationalCivicsBee, hosted at KLC in June.

#YouthLeadership #CivicEngagement

Kansas mayor charged with alleged voter fraud; state leader says ‘hundreds’ more cases expected A south-central Kansas mayor has been charged with committing fraud by voting in elections despite not being a United States citizen

Just after winning a landslide re-election, a Kansas mayor faces felony charges for allegedly voting illegally.

✍️ Morgan Chilson | Kansas Reflector

#ksleg

Kansas Republicans fail to get support for redistricting. But their plan isn't dead yet The redistricting debate over the 3rd District is not over and will return when lawmakers start the regular session in January.

No special session, no new map—yet. The fight to reshape Kansas politics returns in January.

✍️📸 Zane Irwin / Kansas News Service

#ksleg #redistricting #gerrymandering #ksgop

🎉 Celebrating 2 years with KLC! 🎉

Kathy Lefler, WJC project coordinator, says the best advice she’s received: “Don’t be afraid to experiment.”

What keeps her inspired? “Working with people dedicated to making Kansas better.” That—and the endless animal crackers! 🐘🐻

#KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

Analysis: Who won and who lost in Kansas local elections Here are the candidates, issues and trends that were winning and losing after the votes were counted in Tuesday night's Kansas elections.

In cities and counties across Kansas, voters showed that local choices still shape our shared future. Read a round up of what happened in some of Tuesday's biggest local elections.

#ksleg

Rural, urban locales connect through science and youth-football The Cosmo Bowl sought to raise funds for a science-themed early childhood center in Hutchinson and to bridge social divisions through sports.

Helicopters, footballs, friendship, space stuff – it all connected at the first-ever Cosmo Bowl.

✍ AJ Dome
📸 Jeff Tuttle

Ready to cheer on the next generation of changemakers? 🎉 On Tuesday, Nov. 11, finalists from 39 states will gather in D.C. for the 2025 #NationalCivicsBee Championship. 🐝 Wichita student Tanya Ramesh will represent Kansas. 🏆

Register to watch live: uschamberofcommerce.swoogo.com/ncbchampions...

Leadership Landscape, your KLC newsletter See how KLC is helping people and organizations make real progress across Kansas and beyond. From new grant partners and workplace innovation to civic engagement and upcoming programs, this issue high...

From new grant partners and workplace innovation to civic engagement and upcoming programs, this issue of our newsletter highlights what happens when leadership becomes everyone’s work — and how you can be part of what’s next.

See how KLC is helping people and organizations make real progress across Kansas and beyond.

Read & subscribe: mailchi.mp/kansasleader...

Today kicks off our #NewsMatch campaign!

There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your donation is DOUBLED!

Will you show your support today?

👉 klcjournal.com/support-our-...

When he’s not hard at work, you’ll find Dioane enjoying time with his wife and kids—or likely indulging in a meal at Lotte.

We love Dioane for his vision, dedication and the spark he brings to every project ~ Here’s to many more years of big ideas & laughter! 🥳

#KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

Shoutout to Dioane Gates, our fearless chief civic leadership officer, who’s been turning uncertainty into progress with us for one year! 💪✨

What keeps him coming back every day? 💛 “The conviction that this work matters—not just for Kansas, but for the world.”

#KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

Announcing Recipients of Leadership Transformation Grants for 2026 The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) has selected 76 organizations across Kansas as 2026 recipients of Leadership Transformation Grants.

Kansas organizations are building a civic culture that’s ready to take on tough challenges & thrive. 💪

The KLC’s 2026 Leadership Transformation Grant partners are working to inspire & equip people, together, to do difficult things for the common good.

#KLCpath #KLCImpact #KansasCultureChange

As Sedgwick County ages, commissioners look for the best way to fund senior centers Members of the Sedgwick County Commission agree senior centers are essential services but cannot agree on how to fund them.

Behind every budget debate are people like Melvin and Ella — finding purpose, connection, and community in Sedgwick County’s senior centers.

✍️📸 @caudillkmuw.bsky.social / KMUW

#ksleg

DEI, teacher retention and bond issues: What two Wichita school board candidates say School board candidates Mackenzi Truelove and Diane Albert had contrasting responses when asked about DEI in Wichita Public Schools.

From diversity to dollars, Wichita’s District 1 school board candidates clash on what matters most for local classrooms.

✍️ Allison Campbell
📸 Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle

Wichita City Council candidates debate development incentives, taxes Wichita City Council candidates Joseph Shepard and LaWanda DeShazer clashed Tuesday over taxes, food deserts and economic developmen.

What does accountability look like at City Hall? Wichita’s District 1 candidates had very different answers.

✍️ Chance Swaim
📸 Travis Heying / The Wichita Eagle

Medicaid cuts are a ticking time bomb for rural Kansas hospitals. One change may help Federal changes could further reduce revenue for Kansas rural hospitals at risk of closure. But a change to a state tax provides a cushion

Kansas leads the nation in rural hospitals on the brink—and a federal shift may push them closer to collapse.

✍️ Noah Taborda / Kansas News Service

#ksleg #KShealth #Kancare #Medicaid

Wichita rejects tenant protections and landlord registry, pushes vote on code enforcement A split council rejected proposals Tuesday to protect tenants from income discrimination and to establish a registry of landlords with serial housing code violations.

A split Wichita City Council voted down new tenant protections — but the debate isn’t over. Change may still be coming for Wichita’s housing code.

✍️ @steflugli.bsky.social

Kansas Leadership Center: Fueling Mutual Benefit By Changing The Way Companies Think About Talent - Charles Koch Foundation While there are many quotable lines from the 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz,” one spoken by Glinda the Good Witch to Dorothy may best articulate the principles that animate the Kansas Leadership Center ...

What if the key to performance and retention isn’t perks—but purpose?

Through its partnership with the Kansas Leadership Center, the Charles Koch Foundation is helping organizations build stronger, more adaptive workforces.

👉 #KLCImpact + #KansasCultureChange

Mayoral hopeful aims to get Wyandotte County back to basics A 57-year-old corporate lawyer and BPU board member, Rose Mulvany Henry is running for Wyandotte County's top elective position.

After observing a lack of decorum during a five-hour meeting, Rose Mulvany Henry decided to run for Wyandotte County's top elective role.

Mayoral candidate prizes working at every level of Wyandotte County operations Although it might be unrealistic to expect quick results from a new mayor, Christal Watson knows that’s exactly what residents want and need.

Although it might be unrealistic to expect quick results from a new mayor, Christal Watson knows that’s exactly what Wyandotte County residents want and need. She is ready to walk in the door and get to work.

🎉 Celebrating 4 years with Ciara Huntley! Her favorite part of KLC? “The people! Especially my team. I've never worked at an org that feels so much like family.”

She also loves our holiday traditions — from the gift exchange to the soup cookoff! 🥣🎁

#KLCstaff #BehindTheKLCene

Join the KLC Team | Open Positions Explore opportunities at the Kansas Leadership Center, a center of excellence for leadership development and civic engagement.

We’re looking for someone with experience in HR, operations or organizational management who’s ready to make a meaningful impact in Kansas & beyond.

📅 Priority deadline: October 31
👉 Learn more at this link & apply today!

Join the KLC Team | Open Positions Explore opportunities at the Kansas Leadership Center, a center of excellence for leadership development and civic engagement.

This role will:
🔹 Lead talent & culture strategies.
🔹 Oversee inclusive hiring, onboarding, retention & development.
🔹 Foster a workplace culture that prioritizes well-being, inclusion & leadership growth.
🔹 Guide organizational systems & strategy.

kansasleadershipcenter.org/join-the-klc...

We’re seeking a visionary to shape the employee experience and strengthen our organization. We're hiring a People & Culture Officer to steward our organizational infrastructure and cultivate a thriving, inclusive workplace.

📅 Priority deadline: Oct 31
👉 kansasleadershipcenter.org/join-the-klc...

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✨ Why register?
Your responses help shape a thoughtful, balanced conversation and make sure everyone has the best experience possible.

➡️ Register now for this free event: zfrmz.com/7JtSZub8ASv8...