Kansas Association of School Boards executive director receiving prestigious honor from College of Education
Friday, May 6, 2022
MANHATTAN — Brian Jordan, executive director of the Kansas Association of School Boards, is the 2022 recipient of the Dan and Cheryl Yunk Award for Excellence in Educational Administration from the Kansas State University College of Education.
The award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in providing or promoting the administration of P-12 schools in Kansas. The award is named in honor of the Yunks, who were exemplary teachers and administrators throughout their careers with Manhattan-Ogden USD 383. Dan Yunk served as superintendent of the school district for nearly 20 years.
Jordan will be presented with the award at the College of Education's commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, in Bramlage Coliseum on K-State's Manhattan campus. He will also serve as commencement speaker.
Jordan was appointed executive director of the Kansas Association of School Boards in November 2021 after nearly 10 years of service to the organization, including serving as deputy executive director for four years before his appointment to executive director. With 21 years in education, Jordan also has served as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent.
Jordan has worked with schools across Kansas, helping train thousands of school board members on effective leadership, planning and operations. He is frequently called upon by districts to help in transitions, such as hiring a new superintendent or bringing on new board members, and has worked closely with leaders at the Kansas State Department of Education. Jordan also had a major hand in two leadership programs offered by the Kansas Association of School Boards: Leadership for Tomorrow and Business Operations Leadership Development.
"Brian Jordan uses his passion for school finance and leadership to work with community board members, educators and leaders every day to benefit student success," said Debbie Mercer, dean of K-State's College of Education. "The College of Education recognizes his outstanding commitment and leadership to education in Kansas with this award."
A Beloit native, Jordan earned his bachelor's degree in education at K-State, a master's in education administration at Emporia State University and his doctorate in education leadership at K-State. His dissertation focused on school funding and accreditation.
