The Kansas Studies Institute at JCCC promotes research and teaching on the culture, history, economics and natural environment of Kansas.

"This is an initiative to more firmly establish Johnson County Community College as part of the Kansas community," said Dr. Jim Leiker, director, Kansas Studies Institute, and associate professor, history.

The KSI's first event was a Kansas Studies Series, six continuing education classes taught by JCCC faculty on Kansas topics during the fall 2009 semester, co-sponsored by KSI and JCCC's Community Services. The series, featuring topics such as Kansas ecology, weather, water, art, ethnic groups and history, as well as the Dust Bowl in literature, will be repeated in spring 2010.

"The series provides a menu to people in the community who want to know more about different aspects of Kansas," Leiker said.  "We've assembled top-notch faculty doing research on Kansas subjects like meteorology, ecology and history to teach these classes and reach a public audience."

In November 2009, the Institute introduced the inaugural presentation of the Kansas Lecture Series with Wes Jackson, president, The Land Institute. In spring 2010, KSI will present a speaker and a play about the African-American town of Nicodemus, Kansas, in conjunction with the college's Performing Arts Series and its office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The KSI is also producing a 30-minute video on sculptor M.T. Liggett, Mullinville. While Liggett has been the subject of previous television interviews, including one on the Discovery Channel, this show will focus on the artist and his prairie-populist politics. The work is being completed by Bob Epp, senior educational technology analyst; Larry Meeker, JCCC Foundation board member; Dr. Allison Smith, associate professor, art history; and Martha Varzaly, adjunct professor, English.

Also in the works is a documentary featuring topics from the Kansas Studies Series, filmed and distributed by JCCC's Video Production department.

JCCC's KSI is unique among community colleges, according to Leiker. Only Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio, has a similar program with its Appalachian studies.

Leiker says the KSI reaches out to two audiences - Johnson County residents who don't know much about Kansas beyond the metropolitan area and residents who have moved to the suburbs from rural areas and want to continue a connection to home.

Tentative plans call for a faculty day-long exchange between JCCC and other community colleges in Kansas.

"JCCC is noticeable, visible and big, but perhaps we've been too self-contained. The Kansas Studies Institute is an official effort to change that," Leiker said.