EduKan has chosen Esther Lahargoue to lead the distance education efforts and strategic direction for the Great Bend-based consortium’s six community colleges, effective July 1. Lahargoue was named chief executive officer after a comprehensive national search.
Lahargoue, having earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School, takes over the consortium with 20 years of professional experience in online education. She joins the award-winning EduKan staff and faculty whose mission focuses on helping students gain access to quality, convenient and affordable distance education.
“We are extremely pleased to announce Esther Lahargoue as the new CEO of EduKan,” said Dr. Mike Calvert, Pratt Community College president and chair of the EduKan board of presidents. “In addition to her passion for advances in distance education, along with her global perspective to provide quality, low-cost, digital resources for students to pursue their educational goals, she possesses the skills, vision and drive to lead and inspire our growing and diverse community online and offline. “
In her new position, Lahargoue is responsible for all programs and services from strategic planning to expansion and growth opportunities in student enrollments, online instruction and support areas, as well as serving as an integral member of the consortium’s executive team. She will continue to advance EduKan’s online learning environment, build a stronger coalition of colleges and hone its position as a national leader in distance education.
“Education is a powerful tool with life-changing potential. It should advance students’ futures by providing the avenues for success without encumbering them with staggering debt,” said Lahargoue.
EduKan was founded in 1998 to provide access to quality higher education, including ESL courses, via college degrees, certificates, and individual courses, with affordable online classes. Its consortium schools are all accredited learning institutions with excellent reputations and long histories of providing degrees in Barton Community College, Colby Community College, Dodge City Community College, Garden City Community College, Pratt Community College and Seward County Community College/Area Technical School. For more information, visit http://www.edukan.org.