FHSU University Communications
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest President Ben Schears was selected to serve as the Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development at Fort Hays State University.
Schears will lead Fort Hays State University’s efforts to foster economic growth, innovation, and workforce development. This strategic leadership role aligns with the Kansas Board of Regents’ commitment to advancing economic prosperity under the “Building a Future” strategic plan.
“With years of service as a technical college president, Ben has strong connections in higher education and industry,” said Kansas Board of Regents Chair Carl Ice. “He understands the role colleges and universities play in building the Kansas economy through economic development. Our system will continue to benefit from Ben’s leadership through his new role at Fort Hays State.”
In this new role, Schears will engage directly with business and industry, focusing on connecting students to opportunities in FHSU’s vast service area that includes 63 of Kansas’s 105 counties. He will also support the economic and workforce development efforts of the two Fort Hays technical colleges and work closely with community leaders to address their most pressing needs.
Funding for this position comes from recent state investment in regional and workforce development initiatives at FHSU.
“Today marks a significant milestone for Fort Hays State University,” FHSU President Tisa Mason said. “Ben will bring high energy, strategic vision, and the proven ability to unite stakeholders toward common goals to this important new role. His impressive track record of building strong partnerships with local businesses and industries exemplifies his dedication to this vital work.”
Schears will transition from his current role as President of Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, Goodland, after playing an instrumental role in facilitating the creation of a historic strategic affiliation with Fort Hays Tech | Northwest and Fort Hays Tech | North Central, Hays and Beloit.
Having spent most of his childhood growing up on a small 40-acre farm near Emporia, Schears developed a deep appreciation for the challenges faced by rural Kansans. “It was an uphill battle for my parents, and others, to buy and operate a small farm in the 1980s and 1990s and to try to make a run at it,” said Schears. “Those were amazing years to spend living out in the country, and they weren’t always easy, but we were loved and always had food on the table.”
His career in higher education spans more than 22 years across two higher education institutions. It includes service in several senior leadership positions at Cowley College and extensive teaching experience as an adjunct instructor of history, leadership, and political science at Cowley College and Fort Hays Tech | Northwest.
During their years living in Arkansas City, Schears and wife Rachel owned and operated their own business buying, flipping, and renting homes in the community – often bringing their five kids along to help with the wide variety of renovation projects.
For the past nine years, Schears has served as the president for Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, where he focused on building impactful student experiences, securing additional equipment and resources for faculty, building a significant funding pipeline focused on state/local/federal grants, and actively engaging in economic and community development.
Schears and his team strengthened ties between the college and regional employers, built direct linkages with economic development organizations in surrounding counties, and worked to keep skilled professionals in Kansas by addressing critical workforce shortages.
“I’ve been blessed to be a part of many interesting, impactful, and exciting projects over the years,” Schears said. “Impactful work is never accomplished alone, and we can get a lot more done by working together. I have been fortunate to work alongside some amazing and talented people throughout my career and look forward to building more relationships at FHSU.”
Schears, who has always been drawn to civic work, was among a small team of community leaders who came together to forge an innovative partnership that led to the creation of the Sherman County Community Development organization. This collaboration successfully unified and aligned the efforts of the local Chamber of Commerce, the City of Goodland Economic Development, and the Sherman County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“Ben has been an exceptional leader for his nine years in Goodland,” said Dan Wasson, the area advisory board chairman for Fort Hays Tech | Northwest. “I respect his ability to communicate and share successes as well as his ability to deal with tough situations.”
Fort Hays State University will immediately begin a nationwide search for the next Fort Hays Tech | Northwest President. Those interested in applying for this position or engaging in the search process may contact the FHSU Human Resources Office at 785-628-4462.