Wednesday will mark the end of a nearly 20-year career at Flint Hills Technical College.
Longtime Vice-President for Advancement Mike Crouch has his final day as a member of the FHTC leadership team Wednesday as he prepares to move on to Kansas City Kansas Community College, where he will assume the title of Director of the KCK Community College Foundation. Beginning his career at FHTC in 2009, Crouch would first hold the title of Director of the FHTC Foundation before moving into his current role.
He says his time with the college is not something he had originally anticipated before it happened, saying it is a role he fell into after a career in sales that kept him on the road and away from family.
Opportunity is certainly a word that could perfectly sum up Crouch’s tenure at Flint Hills Tech, as through his work, and the work of his team, the college has managed to generate numerous opportunities for growth, financial assistance and practical experiences for students. This includes the creation of the annual culinary competition, The Cut, which highlights not only students in the college’s culinary arts department but also its multimedia design students who broadcast the event to a live audience each year.
Crouch has also personified giving back to the community that has supported the college and its students over the years as he spearheaded the creation of the Prairie Fire Award, which is now presented annually to outstanding community partners, businesses and philanthropic organizations that have supported the growth and sustainability of the college and its various programs. Crouch would state a simple philosophy when it comes to the innovation that has occurred over the course of his career, saying that “if we’re not taking chances and rolling the dice, we’re never going to move forward.”
For his contributions to the college and his guidance during the early days of her tenure, FHTC President Dr. Caron Daugherty called Crouch “an anchor” for the FHTC leadership team, and one that will be deeply missed.
With Crouch now moving on, Daugherty says the search for his successor will not be an easy one and neither will the job itself.
While he may be moving on to new scenery, Crouch says he and his family still plan to be involved and visible within the local community with Daugherty also noting “I still have his number” should the need for his expertise arise.
