December 9, 2015
Doll named KELI executive director
A statewide organization dedicated to improving leadership in elementary, middle and high schools has hired a highly accomplished school superintendent as its chief executive.
Rick Doll has accepted the position of executive director/associate professor of educational leadership for the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute, or KELI. Doll has served as the school superintendent in Lawrence since 2009 and will assume his new responsibilities in July. Doll replaces Dan Yunk, who will retire in June.
David C. Thompson, professor and chair of the department of educational leadership and Elvon G. Skeen professor, believes hiring the right leader for an educational leadership institute is paramount.
"KELI's success is based on its ability to provide high visibility, high credibility and high service in mentoring and induction and professional development to Kansas' licensed school leaders," Thompson said. "Therefore, it is imperative to find exactly the right new executive director, and we did. Mary Devin and Dan Yunk provided KELI with groundbreaking leadership, I am so pleased that we were able to attract the highest caliber of school leader possible yet again."
Doll is grateful for the opportunity to serve as KELI's top executive.
"I am very excited to work with the next generation of Kansas administrators through the KELI program," Doll said. "I am humbled by the confidence the university has placed in me and believe that with my excellent education from Kansas State University and my experience as a Kansas administrator, I can carry on the rich tradition of mentorship of KELI."
KELI's partners include the K-State College of Education, the Kansas State Department of Education, the United School Administrators of Kansas, the Kansas School Superintendents Association and the Kansas Association of School Boards. KELI provides mentorship for the state's newest superintendents and principals.