On April 1st, the Kansas Free Press (KFP) will mark its 6-month anniversary. With gratitude for the Kansans who nobly commit their time and talents to citizen journalism, we are celebrating our upcoming half-year anniversary by proudly showcasing each of our own KFP writers.
TOPEKA, Kan. - In this profile, we are honored to introduce KFP correspondent, Patrick Woods. He lives in Topeka with his wife Anna, a Topeka Public Schools teacher, and their young son Zen. When not spending time with his family, Patrick works as the director of governmental affairs, Office of Public and Governmental Services for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. He began his state service in the governor's office, shortly before the special session of 2005, as the education policy adviser to then Governor Kathleen Sebelius.
Since then, Patrick has developed an expert understanding of education policy.
Not long after, Patrick was appointed to the Governor's Commission for Healthy and Prepared Schools, which is reviewing ways to ensure that children are in the best possible safety and health conditions to learn.
Patrick has also served on the Kansas Coordinating Council on Early Childhood Development Services, which works with agencies, groups and individuals to make recommendations regarding the delivery of health, education and social services for families with young children from birth through age five with or at-risk for disabling conditions.
In addition to his service to the State of Kansas, he also serves on the Shawnee County Civil Service Board, serves as the co-chair on the Education Foundation Team of the Heartland Visioning Project for Topeka & Shawnee County, and as the chair of the Parkview-Cambridge Neighborhood Association. Patrick has also been very involved in the district as a YouthFriend mentor at Landon Middle School and as a member of the District Citizens Advisory Council until his election to the Board. Patrick and his family are members of Asbury-Mt. Olive United Methodist Church.
Patrick received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and History with a Minor in Spanish from Friends University in Wichita and has completed studies at the University of Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain and at La Salle University in Cancun, Mexico. He is currently earning a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas.
We are indeed honored that Patrick is writing with us here!
To learn more about any KFP writers, we encourage you to browse our directory of citizen journalists.
Do you want to write here as a citizen journalist? Anyone wishing to write with us here can inquire with our publisher directly. We are always looking for Kansans who want to write about Kansas! Let us know!
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