MANHATTAN — Bin Ning, a highly experienced leader in higher education institutional research and related areas, will join Kansas State University as its first associate provost for institutional research.

Ning’s appointment was made by Charles Taber, K-State provost and executive vice president, following a national search. Ning will start his new job on Oct. 14 and will report to Taber.

“With more than 34 years in higher education, including more than 18 years guiding institutional leadership at small colleges to research extensive universities, Dr. Ning has the experience needed to guide K-State through the development and implementation of an institutional data strategy that will make possible innovative approaches to enrollment management, university budgeting, strategic planning and more through data-driven decision-making,” Taber said.

Currently the assistant vice president and executive director of institutional research and information management at Eastern Michigan University since July 2010, Ning will lead the newly established Office of Institutional Research at K-State, provide stewardship and management of the university’s data, and oversee the creation of data analysis, analytical studies and institutional reports in response to federal, state and local entities, accreditation purposes and internal report needs. He also will be in charge of communication, education and training to enhance data-informed decision-making throughout the university.

“I am thrilled and excited to have the opportunity to contribute my experience and skills in institutional research and other areas in higher education to support the strategic directions of K-State,” Ning said. “Across the nation, institutional research has become a pivotal unit that provides much-needed information support for sage decision-making, which is one of the keys for future success at K-State.”

In his current position with Eastern Michigan, Ning leads the office of Institutional Research and Information Management, provides leadership to the overall institutional accreditation process, leads the university’s enrollment forecasting and works closely with university leadership on enrollment and budget modeling. For his work, Ning received Eastern Michigan’s 2018 Distinguished Achievement Award.

In his previous positions, Ning was executive director of the Office of Institutional Research at the University of Toledo from August 2007 to July 2010; dean of institutional effectiveness at Wayne County Community College District in Detroit from August 2005 to August 2007; and director of the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment at Marygrove College in Detroit from July 2001 to July 2005.

His current research interests include application of institutional data in policymaking and long-range planning processes; student engagement and other factors that impact student success; institutional assessment and research focusing on student learning, satisfaction and teaching effectiveness and learning outcome; and the role of international programs and comparative higher education. He has presented at conferences and given invited presentations nationally and internationally.

Ning also has served as an adjunct faculty member in statistics at Eastern Michigan University and Margrove College. He has been a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission since 2004. Ning earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics from the Beijing Institute of Technology in China and a Master of Education and doctorate in higher education, both from the University of Toledo.

Nemaha-Brown-Riley-Pottawatomie-Jackson-Jefferson-Dickinson-Geary-
Morris-Wabaunsee-Shawnee-
Including the cities of Sabetha, Seneca, Hiawatha, Horton,
Manhattan, Wamego, St. Marys, Holton, Valley Falls, Oskaloosa,
Perry, McLouth, Grantville, Meriden, Nortonville, Abilene,
Herington, Junction City, Council Grove, Alma, Eskridge,
Maple Hill, Alta Vista, McFarland, Harveyville, Paxico,
and Topeka
317 PM CDT Tue Oct 1 2019

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of central Kansas, east central Kansas, and northeast
  Kansas, including the following areas, in central Kansas,
  Dickinson. In east central Kansas, Geary, Morris, Shawnee, and
  Wabaunsee. In northeast Kansas, Brown, Jackson, Jefferson,
  Nemaha, Pottawatomie, and Riley.

* From 7 PM CDT this evening through Wednesday evening

* Multiple rounds of heavy rainfall are forecast to begin this
  evening and persist through Wednesday afternoon. A widespread
  2 inches of rainfall, with locally higher amounts, falling on
  top of already saturated soils may lead to both flash flooding
  and renewed river flooding.

* Rapid rises of rivers, streams, and low water crossings could
  occur. Urbanized and poor drainage areas could be particularly
  impacted by floodwaters. Roadways could become flooded.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

MANHATTAN, KANSAS —Dr. Alfonso Clavijo has been appointed as Director of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), a state-of-the-art U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research and diagnostic facility designed to protect the nation’s agricultural systems and stakeholders against the threat and potential impact of serious animal diseases.

“Dr. Clavijo brings with him a wealth of technical knowledge in the diagnosis of transboundary, emerging and zoonotic diseases,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Administrator for USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS). “As NBAF’s first permanent director, his extensive leadership experience will be a great asset in helping NBAF achieve its vision of being a national asset that protects U.S. agriculture and consumers through cutting-edge research, diagnostics, training, and development of vaccines and other countermeasures.”

ARS partners with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to operate NBAF. The facility is currently under construction by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with commissioning scheduled for completion in 2021.

Clavijo, who starts October 13, will play a key role in ensuring the smooth transition of responsibility from DHS to USDA once the 574,000 square-foot facility becomes fully operational in 2023.

Prior to his appointment at NBAF, Clavijo served as Laboratory Executive Director of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) National Centres for Animal Disease, which operates laboratories in Winnipeg and Lethbridge. As Director, Clavijo oversaw the administration of diagnostic services, related technology development and research to detect and prevent transboundary, emerging and zoonotic animal diseases.

He also directed the management of biosafety level (BSL) 2-4 facilities that allow for the contained study of pathogens that cause foreign animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth, African swine fever, classical swine fever and highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Under Clavijo’s leadership, CFIA’s National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases in Winnipeg was named by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as reference center for emerging and zoonotic pathogens.

Clavijo’s leadership also earned him Canada’s 2018 President’s National Award in “Leadership in People Management.” This prestigious honor cited Clavijo’s exemplary people-management skills and his demonstration of excellence in advancing CFIA goals, values and ethics as a human resources manager.

Clavijo has held leadership or advisory positions at CFIA laboratories, as well as Kansas State University, Texas A&M University, the Pan American Health Organization, and National University in Bogota, Colombia.

Clavijo earned a doctorate degree in Veterinary Microbiology/Virology while attending the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, from June 1990 to March 1995 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from National University in Bogota, Columbia, 1986.

Clavijo has published numerous scientific works and continues to serve as an adjunct professor or advisor at affiliate organizations.

The Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau sets aside grant funds to support community events and attractions that exhibit positive tourism potential for the county. The money is available via 2020 Community Support Grant and 2020 Marketing Grants. Applications are now available.

The funds are dedicated to assist qualified organizations with their activities that directly increase transient guest tax and sales tax throughout the year, and which help make Junction City and Geary County a tourism destination.

The deadline for submitting an application is no later than 4 p.m. on Dec. 2 to the Geary County CVB Office at 222 West 6th Street. Applications can be submitted online, or mailed to P.O. Box 1846, Junction City, KS 66441. Each individual application will be reviewed by the CVB Grant Committee before being presented to the Geary County Commission for consideration.

The grant award recipients will be announced in December.

Applications are available at the CVB Office and on the website www.junction.org. If you have questions call the CVB at 785-238-2885.

The 2020 Citizens Police Academy at the Junction City Police Department will begin on January 23rd. Applications available at the JCPD or on the City’s website www.junctioncity-ks.org under your Government>Public Safety>Police Department>Citizen’s Police Academy. You can also request an application by email at eliel.borges@jcks.com. Police said enrollment is limited to 20 participants.

In the Academy you receive a behind-the-scenes look at the Junction City Police Department. The 12-week course meets one night each week ( Thursdays ) for approximately three hours including one Saturday. Topics covered range from overviews of the Police Department organization and structure to introduction to various units of the department and their responsibilities. Those range from Community Involvement Unit to the Drug Operations Group.

Instructors are drawn from the Junction City Police Department staff and other areas of expertise. CItizen’s Police Academy class members are also given an opportunity to observe police patrol work through a Ride-A-Long experience with an area patrol officer. Class members will have an opportunity to use the Use of Force Simulator which is used to train Police Officers and shoot live ammunition at the police shooting range using various weapons.

The heavily utilized public parking lot that serves the Geary County Office Building and law enforcement agencies in the vicinity is receiving a mill and overlay upgrade.

Geary County is funding the project.

( Photos by Javon George )

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies arrested Mauricio Edwards, Anchondo Olivas, Denver, CO at mile marker 292 on I-70 at 5:59 a.m. on Tuesday. He was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Controlled Substance, No Driver’s License, No Liability Insurance and Trafficking Contraband into a Correctional Facility.

Mile marker 292 on I-70 is about two miles west of Junction City.