Michael L. Banks

Interim Associate Dean
Undergraduate Programs and Administration

 

Contact Info
michaelbanks@k-state.edu

 

Michael L. Banks, Ph.D., is the interim associate dean of undergraduate programs and administration at Kansas State University Olathe, serving in the role since May 15.

In this role, Banks serves on the K-State Olathe leadership team and helps develop and implement programming that is relevant to workforce development through innovative approaches to the changing demands of higher education. He provides leadership in the development, application and assessment of integrated and interdisciplinary graduate and undergraduate programs, with particular emphasis on transfer students and students who also are working professionals.

The interim associate dean position also focuses on establishing partnerships with community, private and public colleges in the region to further develop a pipeline to K-State's degrees for students living and working in the Greater Kansas City region.

Banks, who has a history of leadership in education, will help guide new undergraduate programs and strengthen community college partners.

Before coming to K-State Olathe, Banks served in various roles in higher education, including as the president of Metropolitan Community College, the vice president for academic and student affairs and the dean and division chair of arts and humanities at St. Charles Community College.

In addition to academic leadership, Banks has extensive teaching experience at St. Charles Community College, Lindenwood University, Urbana University and Xavier University. His teaching credentials include classes in theatre, oral communications and stagecraft. He also has extensive speaking experience and has presented at multiple conferences and special events, including the Missouri Community College Association, Higher Learning Commission and Missouri Transfer and Articulation Conference.

Banks holds a B.A. in Theatre and a Ph.D. in American Studies from St. Louis University, as well as an M.F.A. in Theatre, Technical Direction and Design from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

A search will launch in the fall for a permanent associate dean.