Debra Bolton

My mission statement: To work toward equitable access for and representation of historically excluded and underrepresented identities in all academic, social, and power structures of this institution, in community, and in our societal cultures.

My favorite quote: "Be interested in everyone you meet." - My Dad


I have taught and directed programs at Kansas State University since 2005. I live in Manhattan, KS. I was at Garden City Community College 12 years before that. I will retire in 2024.

Of course I had a good high school education (in western Colorado), and out of all my post-secondary schooling since SMP, I would have to say that it (SMP) still stands as the best education I have had. My professors at SMP were all very passionate about their subjects, and I appreciated that they were not bogged down in school politics. They focused on teaching, which was a great gift to their students. Father Sheehan, Father Cummings, Sister Grace, Sister Lila, and John Nelson were wonderfully gifted teachers, and I still think about the things they taught me. The loss of SMP was a great tragedy. I had hoped to teach at SMP one day.