Derek Foust Named Associate Dean of Career and Technical Education

Butler Community College is pleased to announce Derek Foust has been named Associate Dean of its Career and Technical Education (CTE) Division. His first day in the role was Monday, June 17.

A faculty member in Butler’s agriculture department for the past six years, Foust has served as lead instructor for the last four.

As the department’s lead instructor Foust has been extremely active, developing three separate class curriculums—Introduction to Crop and Soil Science, Introduction to Agricultural Technology and Introduction to Unmanned Aerial Systems—and working with local industry partners to ensure graduates continue to have the skills necessary for success. He also created a new animal science major pathway that conforms with the recently updated Kansas Board of Regents standards.

Foust says that while leaving the classroom is not an easy thing for him to do, he is looking forward to helping the College in new ways. “I am certain that I will miss my students, but I am excited to help guide [their] success on an institutional level,” he said. “I am also very excited to support the incredible faculty that make up the CTE division to ensure that they are being given the administrative support to be successful in the classroom.”  

Dr. Peter Linden, Butler’s Dean of CTE, sees Foust as a true asset to the College. “Derek is a dedicated, knowledgeable person of character and drive who understands what we’re doing and why we’re here,” said Linden. “He’s got a multi-faceted skill set and background that will benefit the division, the College and our students. I’m confident [he] will be a terrific addition to our leadership team.”

Higher education administration runs in the family for Foust, whose father has spent his entire career as a university administrator in Maryland, where Foust was raised. “Growing up I spent a lot of time on college campuses, [and] the incredible impact and success that I have seen him have helps motivate me to serve Butler to the absolute best of my ability.”

Foust holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland College Park, and a Master’s degree in Food & Agricultural Sciences from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.