Becky Nilges, whose affiliation with Allen Community College started as a student in the 1970s, is back with the college as a trustee.
Nilges was appointed Tuesday to fill the position vacated by Robin Schallie, who resigned her seat earlier this month.
After graduation, Nilges was hired as the school’s first-ever student activities director in 1979, where she served as the college’s unofficial “Little Dutch Boy,” filling whatever roles deemed necessary.
On top of coaching the Red Devil volleyball team for four seasons, including winning a conference championship, Nilges advised the college Student Senate, and oversaw ACC’s intramural sports programs.
Nilges stayed at the college until 1997, when she departed to become executive director of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, she left the Chamber to pursue other passions. She worked for a spell with the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, and then dedicated her life to running a daycare in 2005.
Nilges also has been involved with numerous civic programs through the years, from Iola’s Planning Commission to working with the Farm-City Days celebration and Veterans Day ceremonies locally.
Nilges’ seat will be up for re-election in 2025. She replaced Schallie, who had been appointed to the trustees board in early 2022 after Iolan Mark Peters originally was voted into office, but declined to be seated because of potential conflicts with his duties on the Iola City Council.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, trustees accepted the resignation of Andy Shaw as head men’s basketball coach. Shaw has accepted a job to coach at Iowa Western.
Trustees also accepted the resignation of DeQuaan Haggerty, as assistant men’s basketball coach; and Kay Gordon, financial aid specialist in Burlingame. Burlingame instructors Mike Higgins (technology) and Steve Sodergren (math) have announced their retirement, as has Joyce Lickteig, a custodian at the Iola campus.
Melanie Wallace, interim dean for academic affairs, has been hired to keep the position on a permanent basis.
Trustees also hired Alicia Sterling as comptroller and Dallas Yocham as an evening custodian.
