Topeka ? About a dozen unclassified professional staff from Kansas University came to the Capitol on Tuesday to visit with state lawmakers to raise awareness about what they do and the importance of adequate higher education funding.

“We want to make them aware that we are out there and working hard, and that higher education is incredibly important to the state of Kansas,” Dan Consolver, director of academic training services, said.

The group has scheduled meetings throughout the day with Kansas legislators.

AT KU, there are more than 1,500 unclassified professional employees, who serve in numerous functions, such as advisors, administrators, teaching support staff, researchers, and program directors.

The main group representing them is the Unclassified Professional Staff Assn.