FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2015

Butler Community College and Washburn Institute of Technology
Awarded Third Annual Data Quality Awards

(Topeka, Kansas) - During today's luncheon at the Kansas Board of Regents 2015 Data Quality and Planning Conference, Dr. Andy Tompkins, President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, presented Butler Community College and Washburn Institute of Technology with Kansas Board of Regents Data Quality Awards.

Now in its third year, the award serves as a way to recognize institutions for excellence in the quality of data submitted and the timeliness of submissions. Awards are given each June to the two institutions with superior ratings, recognizing the outstanding team of professionals working to achieve exceptional results.

"The reporting schedule is aggressive, and it takes highly dedicated and adept, detail-oriented people to accomplish what is asked of these staff," stated Cindy Farrier, Director of Data, Research, and Planning at the Kansas Board of Regents. "This award, in a small way, serves to thank those in the field who ensure the superior quality and accessibility to higher education data in Kansas, which is key to data-driven decision making."

Data are submitted throughout the year on a number of key initiatives and metrics, and are used for a wide variety of purposes, including determining the distribution of state appropriations, informing the Board of Regents and Kansas Legislature of progress on key initiatives and strategic objectives, to comply with federal reporting requirements, and to perform research supporting higher education program improvement in Kansas.

Competition was stiff, with an overall rating of "A" earned by over half of the state's 32 reporting institutions. Both Butler Community College and Washburn Institute of Technology were recognized by the selection committee with additional points for support of Board objectives and leadership among peers.

"We appreciate and congratulate these institutions on the standard of quality which this award represents," stated Dr. Tompkins. "Strong data reporting is critical to our success in serving students, their parents, the Board of Regents, the Legislature, and the Governor," he continued, "and only possible through a well-orchestrated effort by so many dedicated individuals."

Included on the 2015 selection committee were representatives from last year's winning institutions. Past winners include Pittsburg State University, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Washburn University, and Neosho Community College.

For more information, contact Breeze Richardson at (785) 291-3969 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Photo available upon request.

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About the Kansas Board of Regents:
The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is the governing board of the state's six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state's 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state's student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas, and the Board continues to administer Kan-Ed, a program for facilitating and promoting distance learning and telemedicine in schools, libraries and hospitals. Visit the Kansas Board of Regents online at www.kansasregents.org.

ICON document-PDFThird Annual Data Quality Awards (PDF download)