High Plains Farm Credit has collaborated with Fort Hays State University to offer eight students the opportunity to serve on a student advisory board. 

The mission of the student advisory board is to provide opportunities to those students wishing to gain leadership skills by participating in an academic/corporate agricultural finance experience. This includes exposure to the function of a board of directors and the development of decision-making skills related to an agricultural cooperative. The students will gain valuable industry knowledge and have the opportunity to develop and refine their professional skills.

KelsiJo Crouch, the co-chair of the student board, knows how beneficial this opportunity will be to her education moving forward. “These extra experiences are huge because they show you how to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world opportunities,” Crouch said.

Other students are selected through the hiring process, as they each had to apply and be accepted for the position. Students from the College of Business and Department of Agriculture who are enrolled in their sophomore or junior year are eligible for the program. The inaugural board is made up of the following students: Olivia Engler,  Drew Bowman, Kory Ridnour, Shay Northrup, Joel White, Andrew Doan (chair), and Cordell Cyr.

Dr. Alan Deines, the director of the Robbins Banking Institute at Fort Hays and an instructor of Finance, is the primary advisor for the High Plains Student Board. Mr. Jeremy Ryan, a Fort Hays Agriculture Business instructor, serves as the second advisor for the group. 

Deines is excited about the new partnership. “Small towns in western Kansas have a need for talent. There are good jobs out here, and High Plains Farm Credit wants to see students come back and fill those positions. These students are quality people, very conscientious, and they have an opportunity to be strong leaders in their community.”

Kevin Swayne, President of High Plains Farm Credit, is extremely proud to work with Fort Hays State University’s students and faculty. “The Student Board program provides opportunities to students wishing to gain leadership skills in a business environment.  It is important to develop future leaders for our rural communities and the Student Board program is one way High Plains Farm Credit can make a difference.”

To learn more about High Plains Farm Credit, call 785-625-2110 or visit HighPlainsFarmCredit.com.