The Kansas Independent College Association develops and enhances the competitive standing of its 21 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.

The Association was founded in 1952, as the Kansas Foundation for Private Colleges, and renamed the Kansas Independent College Fund, and subsequently Kansas Independent College Foundation, in 2005.  In 2018, the Foundation acquired the Associated Colleges of Central Kansas (ACCK). Most recently, in 2024, the organization was given its current name, the Kansas Independent College Association (KICA).

The KICA team can be reached via our Contact form.

TOPEKA OFFICE STAFF

Matt Lindsey is the President of the Kansas Independent College Association, a role he has held since 2012. As president, Matt represents the interests of the 21 private, not-for-profit, accredited colleges and universities in the state of Kansas. The work includes coordinating state and federal government relations on behalf of the sector, directing consortia work around improving college affordability, access, and completion and enhancing the ability of the unique private colleges that dot the Kansas prairie to thrive in a challenging and ever-changing educational landscape. Before joining KICA, Matt was the Executive Director of Kansas Campus Compact, working to enhance civic and community engagement activities on college campuses throughout Kansas. He previously served as the senior associate for Freedman Consulting in Washington, DC, where he advised non-profit consortiums and large foundations on effective means to achieve policy change. Matt was selected as a 2001 Harry S. Truman Scholar while attending the University of Tulsa where he received degrees in economics and political science. He also received a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. Along the path, he also worked with the city of San Diego, California where he felt the surreal experience of watching a city go through three mayors in four months, the last of which named August 25, 2005 as “Matt Lindsey Day” for his work on behalf of downtown public-private partnerships.

Jesyca Hope is the Vice President for Member Programs and Outreach. She 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. Jesyca joined KICA In 2015, bringing her 20 years of outreach and organizing experience to the team. Since then she's been a three-time Women of Excellence honoree from the YWCA, a graduate of Leadership Greater Topeka, was Washburn University's 2019 Hometown Hero, and the 2022 SLI Volunteer of the Year. 

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.

Shelton Byrnes is the Executive Coordinator of the Kansas Independent College Association. Shelton loves helping people. During his high school years, Shelton was awarded the highest available scholarship under Topeka Performing Arts Center’s Young Artist Awards for his “exceptional and boundless work” in Community Service in the Arts. After graduating from Shawnee Heights High School in 2021, he found work as a secretary for the Early Childhood Special Education Department for Topeka Public Schools. He then moved on to several other jobs, including Behavioral Specialist Paraprofessional for Shawnee Heights and a Respite Care Worker for Visiting Angels. Shelton volunteers regularly at Topeka Civic Theatre, where is a 3-time member of their "700 Club” and the 2024 recipient of their Volunteer of the Year Award.  

MCPHERSON OFFICE STAFF

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.

Michelle Larson is an Assistant Professor in Special Education and has 33 years of teaching experience in Kansas Public Schools. Her teaching experience began in the general education classroom but gained interest in special education when her eldest son was identified with learning disabilities in the primary grades. She spent 27 years as a case manager for exceptional students. In this role Michelle researched best practices in education, particularly for exceptional students. Most recently Michelle worked closely with first- and second-year teachers in the role of Instructional Coach assisting new teachers to the profession in utilizing best practices in education for their students. Michelle obtained both her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, and Master of Science Degree in Special Education from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas with endorsements in learning disabilities and emotional disturbance. She has a vast knowledge in all areas of special education with significant expertise in learning disabilities, and emotional disturbance. Michelle is currently working toward a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership. She takes an individual approach in her teaching to ensure that all students have access to the interventions, and strategies that will ensure her students will obtain academic success.

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.