Born in Wichita, Ks and educated in Wichita public schools, Kaye proudly represents herself as a first-generation college graduate. Her first job was working summers in her grandparent’s dry-cleaning shop at the age of 12. There she learned the value of hard work, not for the potential wealth or to amass things, but the importance of work to create opportunities for her younger siblings.

 

Kaye began investing in the community through service early in her life as a way to live out the principles of her faith. Her leadership prowess earned her a full-ride scholarship to Wichita State University where she earned multiple degrees culminating with a doctorate in Education Leadership (anticipated 5/2021). Her access to and success in higher education changed the trajectory of Kaye’s life and helped her avoid economic poverty.

 

The beneficiary of a strong extended family and particularly close relationships with her paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather, Kaye’s love of family is evident in her work. Whether speaking to women leaders in a professional development workshop or international educators at the European College Access Network Conference, participants are sure to hear at least one story that includes a family lesson.

 

A pied piper of youth, Kaye has supported more than 700 first-generation, high school students from families with limited income through high school with nearly 75% of them matriculating to college. Commonly referred to as ‘UBMS mama,’ Kaye counts it a point of pride to have maintained many relationships with her former students and counts several as friends and even colleagues. 

 

While all of this is important, what really counts to Kaye is that she is a life-long learner, teacher, mentor, mentee, daughter, sister, auntie, wife, and a mother.  She is an aspiring yogi, wannabe long-distance runner and tried and true girlfriend.  She lives in Wichita, KS with her husband, Derek, and young adult sons, Payton and Cameron.