KICA develops and enhances the competitive standing of its 20 member independent, nonprofit, regionally accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities. Our efforts include professional development and collaboration, governmental advocacy, and public engagement collectively aimed at supporting the ability of students to choose and afford an independent college education that fits their goals. KICA, founded in 1976, is a 501 (c) (4) not-for-profit Kansas corporation governed by a board of directors composed of the presidents of each of the member institutions and is managed by a staff of seven.
Matt Lindsey is the President of the Kansas Independent College Association & Foundation, a role he has held since 2012.
Mark Millikan as been with KICA since 1996. He started as Communications Assistant, then became Communications Director,
and now serves as Director of Office Operations.
Jesyca Hope has her BA in communications and musical theater from James Madison University. Graduating in 1997 at the
age of 17, she is the youngest graduate in the school's history. For the next decade, Hope had a media career that she loved, with positions
in news, community promotions and on-air talent. She loved making real connections with the communities she worked in, helping others work
to achieve change. Hope went on to win the Kansas Association of Broadcasters' Broadcaster of the Year award in 2006. Kansas State University
accepted her into its communications studies Masters program, where Hope shared her address and oratory skills as an instructor of public
speaking and graduated in 2008. In 2015, originated the role of Director of Member Programs, bringing her 20 years of outreach and organizing
experience to the team. Since then she's been a two-time Women of Excellence honoree from the YWCA, and was Washburn University's 2019
Hometown Hero.
Jerry Huff JD, CISSP, is leading our Collaborative Chief Information Security Officer project. Jerry received his undergraduate
degree at Fort Hays State University and his law degree at Washburn Law School. He received the Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE)
certification in 2000 and the Certified Information Security System Professional (CISSP) in 2018. Jerry taught Business Computer systems
at Barton County Community College. For ten years he was with the Kansas Board of Regents Kan-Ed program as Executive Director and Director
of Operations. During his time at the Kansas Board of Regents he was also an adjunct professor at Fort Hays State University for six years
teaching Computer Law in the FHSU Virtual College. He also served as an Attorney/Privacy Officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas and
had oversight of IT security at Stormont Vail Health Systems for the implementation of HIPPA privacy regulations. Jerry also served on
the Bioethics Committee for six years at the Stormont Vail Hospital.
Dr. Bev Schottler is a Professor of Special Education and Department Head for the High-Incidence Special Education
Program at Kansas Independent College Association (KICA). She began her career as an elementary school teacher and developed an interest
in special education while working with students in the third-grade classroom. At the master's degree level, she received an endorsement
in special education with an emphasis in learning disabilities and emotional disturbance from Fort Hays State University. After working
in the areas of special education and at-risk, Bev completed a doctorate degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from Kansas
State University. Bev brings more than 25 years of teaching experience to KICA, working in both regular and special public education classrooms,
as well as higher education. Her classes place a strong emphasis on real world experience working with children in the field, while emphasizing
the best practices for teaching students who have high-incidence disabilities.
Lynette Cross is an Assistant Professor. Lynette Cross is our Assistant Professor of Special Education and brings 14
years of higher education experience to KICA. She has served as an adjunct professor teaching special education courses at Bowling Green
University, Lourdes University and Tiffin University in Ohio and most recently she served as the Education Department Chair at Tabor College,
having led students who sought PK-12 degrees in education. Her B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education was earned at Tabor college
and her M.S. degree in PK-12 School Counseling was from WSU. Lynette is an ABD, Ed.D. Candidate in the Educational Leadership Program at
Southwestern College. She has spent 28 years in various roles in education; K-12 General Education teacher, K-12 Special Education Teacher
and High school counselor to support the needs of students of all ability levels, in a variety of settings. The KICA special education
endorsement program places a strong emphasis on real-world experiences working with children in the field while emphasizing the best practices
for teaching students who have high-incidence disabilities. Lynette will bring collaborative methodology to the program to make a positive
impact on pre-service educators and in turn facilitate a positive influence in the lives of educators and students.
Terri Newhouse serves as the Academic Program Assistant for the McPherson office. In that role she provides support
and structure for all of KICA’s academic programs and is a principal point of contact between those programs and the registrars for each
participating KICA member. A lifetime resident of McPherson, she brings to the organization over 30 years of administrative experience.
