Meet Kirk Haskins
FAMILY BACKGROUND AND TOPEKA ROOTS
Kirk is a native Topekan who grew up in the Kenmore neighborhood and has resided in the 53rd District for more than 20 years. Kirk’s father, Forrest, is a Korean War Marine Veteran who grew up in a farm family outside Lindsborg, and he is a retired USD 501 educator who proudly served as the Topeka - NEA President. Kirk’s mother, Pat, is a retired state employee who grew up in a farm family in Vermillion, KS. Forrest and Pat are inducted into the Kansas State Square Dance Hall of Fame and spent many hours, over many years, dancing and volunteering in service to that community.
KIRK'S EDUCATION
Kirk attended Potwin Elementary, Robinson Middle School, and graduated from Topeka High, where he was on the football team as a tight end and linebacker, and participated in Debate and Forensics. He was a member of Topeka High’s 1989 Forensics State Championship Team, and he credits retired Topeka High educator Pam McComas for encouraging and inspiring his public speaking skills.
Kirk holds a B.A. in Communications with minors in Business and Theatre from Washburn University, an M.B.A. from Wichita State University, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas.
KIRK'S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Kirk’s professional life began in movie theatre management at West Ridge Mall 6. He continued this work in Wichita while pursuing his M.B.A., but during his time in Wichita he transitioned to working for Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas, ultimately becoming their Program Director. This position was the first to bring together the two primary themes of Kirk’s professional experience — business and education — as he wrote curriculum for, and mentored high school student business entrepreneurs.
Kirk returned to Topeka to work at his alma mater, Washburn University, as the Director of Student Affairs for the School of Business. After a few years, he transitioned to the University’s Director of Admissions for seven years, before moving on to be the Business Education Consultant for the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). In this role, Kirk wrote the Kansas high school business education curriculum and traveled the state supporting our business educators in developing instructional objectives that met both federal and state business education curriculum standards.
After five years at KSDE, Kirk was recruited to the private sector as the Senior Vice President for Retail Operations at CoreFirst Bank and Trust, where he made positive impacts on employee retention and cash error reduction with changes to onboarding training and through mentoring. After almost two years there, Kirk turned his focus to completing his doctoral dissertation, and while doing so, worked for USD 501 as a building substitute for Jardine Elementary.
Soon after graduating with the Ed.D. from KU in 2018, Kirk became Associate Professor and Chair of Professional Graduate Studies for Baker University, the position he currently holds. In addition to teaching, he is engaged in program and curriculum development, as well as supporting students and faculty colleagues. Kirk was a very proud Uncle when conferring a degree to his niece at the May 2024 Baker graduation!
KIRK'S VALUES
As an educator, business executive, and father, Kirk is passionate about issues that impact all Kansans. The pillars of his campaign - Education, Equity, and the Economy - are based on personal experiences that drive his passion to serve Kansas.
Kirk strongly believes in public education, the autonomy of local educational agencies, and the professionalism of our teachers. His time at Jardine gave him a profound appreciation for the work of public educators, social case workers, behavioral interventionists, and mental health professionals who serve to meet the varying levels of need presented by students at school. This first-hand experience will continue to inform his service to education in the legislature with the empathy, compassion, and trust that educators know students need to be ready to learn.
Kirk will continue to work to champion affordable, quality healthcare, including mental healthcare, for all Kansans. He feels Medicaid expansion is long overdue and is ready to insure the health of 151,898 Kansans — with absolutely no additional cost to taxpayers — who currently live paycheck to paycheck in employment where healthcare isn’t offered. No Kansan should need to choose between their family’s health care needs and putting food on the table
Kirk does not think that any lawmakers have the power to decide what any Kansan can or cannot do with their body as they make personal reproductive healthcare decisions. It is neither fair nor impartial for a lawmaker to personally decide and then legislate limits on the physical autonomy of fellow Kansans.
Kirk has the business background to inform policy that will keep the Kansas economy strong. He believes we can create a more fair property tax structure, grow the state economy by incentivizing small business, and maintain our presence on the global economic stage by continuing the policies that have repeatedly made Kansas a wise investment.
Kirk was honored to accept the endorsement of Jim Gartner, the incumbent Kansas House Representative for District 53. He is always open to dialogue with the constituents of the 53rd and learn more about how he can serve their interests for a better Kansas. Put Kirk to Work for Kansas!
#PutKirktoWork
