2024 Board of Directors

The Bishop Kemper School for Ministry Board of Directors is made up of  three representatives from each  of our  six partner  dioceses.  The dean of BKSM as well as the bishops of all four dioceses have seat and voice, but no vote.

 Additionally, beginning in 2024, each diocese has pledged to include representation from all three orders of ministry: lay, deacon and priest.

Meeting four time a year, the Board is responsible for  overseeing the life of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry as well as the work of the  school’s dean and faculty.


Diocese of Iowa
The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot, Ex officio                            
Ms. Deb Leksell, lay rep
The Rev. Greta Muller Levis, deacon rep
The Rev. Canon Kathleen Milligan, priest rep

Diocese of Kansas
The Rt. Rev. Cathleen Bascom, Ex officio                            
The Ven. Jim Cummins,  deacon rep
The Rev. Canon Lisa Senuta                         , secretary             & priest rep
Ms. Michelle Garcia, lay representative
 
Diocese of Missouri
The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson, Ex officio                                 
The Rev. Dr. Marshall Crossnoe, priest rep
Mr. Mike Fowlkes, vice chair and treasurer, lay rep
The Rev. Dr. Paula Hartsfield                                               
 
Diocese of Nebraska
The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, Ex officio                                
Mr. Mark Clark, lay rep
The Rev. Canon Liz Easton, priest rep                                                  
The Rev. Rebecca Smith,  deacon rep
                        
 Diocese of West Missouri
The Rt. Rev. Diane Jardine Bruce, Ex officio                                    
The Rev. Anne Kyle, priest rep
Ms. Carmen Kynard-Krasick, lay rep                        
The Rev. Donna Stanford,   chair, deacon rep
 
Diocese of Western Kansas
The Rt. Rev. Mark Cowell, Ex officio                                   
The Rev. Scott Mentzer, deacon rep
The Rt. Rev. Michael Milliken
Ms. Susie Ray, lay rep

Highlights of Board Actions: 2022-2024

Changes requiring revision of bylaws
  • Inclusion of two additional dioceses as sponsors
    • Diocese of Missouri
    • Diocese of Iowa
  • Increase board representation to three from each diocese
  • Asked dioceses to appoint a presbyter, deacon, and lay person if possible as representatives
  • Revised board terms to three years
  • Changed our fiscal year to calendar year
  • Changed the dean’s status to ex officio, voice but no vote
 
Other changes
  • Celebrated BKSM’s 10th Anniversary
  • Requested and received increased annual contributions from original four dioceses
  • Appealed and obtained tax-free status under the national church’s authority so we can buy materials and equipment tax-free
  • Revision of property usage agreements with the Diocese of Kansas and Grace Cathedral
  • Moved to remote board attendance meetings for those not able to come in-person to Topeka
  • Moved our banking to Commerce Bank to eliminate fees
  • Began process of evaluating the dean’s performance annually (at his request)
  • Increased dean’s compensation to amount comparable to other similar education organizations
  • Increased administrative person to 20 hrs from 10 hrs
  • Renamed Classroom 1 to Larry Bingham Classroom (founder)