The Kansas Sampler Foundation is excited to announce that Monica Frye will be joining the team as the Explore Kansas Program Manager in January 2026.
Monica brings years of experience as a relationship builder from her work at McPherson College and most recently at The Cedars Retirement Community in McPherson. As a Kansas Explorers Club member since 2018 she has incredible enthusiasm for getting to know Kansas better and is well-suited to lead this program area for KSF. She lives with her family in McPherson.
“As we begin our organization’s leadership transition, we know that the Kansas Explorers Club goal to educate Kansans about Kansas remains central to our work around the state,” said Simone Elder, incoming executive director. “Monica is an explorer at heart and will bring new ways to see Kansas with fresh eyes to this core program of the Kansas Sampler Foundation.”
In this role, Monica will steward the Kansas Explorers Club, coordinate the Big Kansas Road Trip Pop Ups, and develop content to connect people to the heart of rural Kansas. Monica’s experiences best suit her to help build these programs as we create a thoughtful audience for rural Kansas and help communities feel seen, valued, and connected. She will be on the road getting to know the people and places of Kansas.
“Joining the team at the Kansas Sampler Foundation is a highlight in my career! I've been a member of the Kansas Explorers Club for nearly a decade, and have come to deeply appreciate all parts of Kansas, from the Flint Hills in the east to the vast prairies of the west, and everywhere in between.”
To join the Kansas Explorers Club and find others who care about getting to know rural Kansas, visit kansassampler.org.