KFAC Welcomes Nancy Zenger-Beneda as Executive Director

MANHATTAN, KANSAS, June 1, 2020 – Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (KFAC) announces Nancy Zenger-Beneda, Ed.S. will lead the organization in collaborating with the ag industry/community to strengthen ag literary education programming and expand the current fund raising plan. Zenger-Beneda joins the foundation with robust experience in academia encompassing strategic planning, assessment, program development, grant-writing and fundraising strategy.

"We are excited for Nancy to join our organization and take KFAC to the next level," says Jim Adams, KFAC chairman. "She has the experience to enable the foundation to expand our program into secondary education classrooms."

Zenger-Beneda joins KFAC after nearly 16 years at Cloud County Community College (CCCC). While at CCCC, she fulfilled a number of roles. Most recently she was the Vice President for Academic Affairs. During her time at CCCC, she was instrumental in expanding agriculture programming and fundraising for a new agriculture facility. She also led the development of the solar energy program and fundraising for the solar energy farm which serves as both a learning lab for students and provides energy for college operations. Zenger-Beneda will apply her background to KFAC in strengthening relationships, expanding ag-learning opportunities, and generating additional fundraising.

"Agriculture is more exciting than ever before," Zenger-Beneda says. "The technological advancements, science and math used in today's agriculture offers a number of career opportunities that youth wouldn't be exposed to without organizations like KFAC. I'm excited to help bring resources and tools to educators and promote the Ag industry."

Zenger-Beneda is a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission, an accreditor for post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region of the United States, and teaches online graduate leadership studies for Fort Hay State University where she earned her Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. Not only does her professional background in academia closely coincide with KFAC's mission, she has personal industry experience. She lives on a ranch near Belleville, Kansas and has been actively involved in agriculture throughout her life.

"Nancy's agricultural background combined with her professional experience will be a huge asset to KFAC," Adams says. "Our organization has been around for more than 35 years and with Nancy's help, we're certain to be here for another 35."

For more information about Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, visit www.ksagclassroom.org.