The Kansas Board of Regents has elected Christine Downey-Schmidt as chairwoman and Donna Shank as vice chairwoman – marking the first time in the board’s 82-year history that two women have been selected to the two top positions at the same time.

Downey-Schmidt, of Inman, was appointed to the board in 2005 by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and has served as vice chairwoman since 2006. She was a three-term Democratic state senator, serving from 1992 to 2004.

“I look forward to moving the state’s higher education system forward in a strategic fashion and to addressing new challenges in the upcoming year,” Downey-Schmidt said.

Shank, of Liberal, was appointed to the board by Gov. Bill Graves in 2002. She was reappointed last month by Sebelius. Shank earlier served as regents chairwoman and vice chairwoman.