The Kansas Independent College Association (KICA) has named 32nd district Senator Larry Alley as its 2025 Legislative Champion of the Year, recognizing his leadership and advocacy on behalf of Kansas students and independent higher education.

When he accepted the award Senator Alley shared that the organization had friends in the legislature. “While most of the money goes to the State Higher Ed schools, the KICA schools provide a wonderful education, smaller class size, faith based curriculum, and provide a positive economic impact to our local communities.”

KICA represents 21 member colleges across the state and each year, the association honors elected officials who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to supporting student choice in higher education.

“Students at Kansas independent colleges are truly fortunate to have great, bipartisan champions in the Kansas Legislature,” said KICA President Matt Lindsey. “Leadership in the statehouse has helped create a better environment for postsecondary success for all Kansans and in so doing, strengthened our communities and our state.”

Senator Alley went on to say, “By interviewing local employers and finding out what skillsets they need and developing curriculum to fill these jobs, we can go a long way to filling those workforce needs with homegrown talent.”

According to a 2022 impact study, conducted by the consulting firm Parker Philips, Kansas independent colleges contribute more than $1.1 billion to the state’s economy and support more than 8,000 jobs in Kansas.

For more information about KICA members colleges visit: kscolleges.org.