Dan Moser, a longtime advocate for education, finds fulfillment in his work with the Rock Creek school board and his professional journey at Kansas State University (K-State). Throughout his experiences with USD 323 Moser values education not only for his family but also for the local community.
Moser said, “I just think it’s really important for this community and our state and really our society, that education continues to be supported.”
Moser has deep roots in northeast Kansas. He grew up in Effingham, a small town east of Rock Creek, and attended Atchison County Community High School. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences from Kansas State University, he pursued a master’s and Ph.D. in Beef Cattle Genetics at the University of Georgia. He even held a faculty position at the University of Nebraska before eventually returning to K-State in 1999, where he served as a professor and later an administrator.
“Education has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Moser said, “and it’s something I believe in wholeheartedly.”
When his kids were younger, Moser got to know the Rock Creek school district as a parent. His three children graduated from Rock Creek High School, and he remembers how positive their experiences were. Reflecting on this, he decided to give back by joining the school board, where he started with a half-term when a member resigned.
Lisa Moser, his wife shared, “Dan felt called to serve the community by offering his leadership through the school board as a way to show his appreciation for the high-quality educational experiences our three kids had during their K-12 years.”
Moser has now completed almost five years on the board, serving as the at-large representative for the district.
Moser said, “To me, it’s about continuing that success, supporting all the people that support our students, trying to make this the place that every teacher wants to teach, where every staff member wants to work.”
Moser has seen the district grow and change over the years, especially with families moving into the area. This growth has brought both excitement and challenges, as he and the board work to plan for the district’s future.
“You think about the number of employees and the budget it takes to make this place go,” Moser said. “And particularly right now, we’re in an area of rapid growth … it’s certainly a challenge to think about what Rock Creek is going to look like five years from now, 10 years from now, 20 years from now.”
Outside of his professional life and school board work, Moser and his wife have become “empty nesters” since their children have grown up and moved out. Now, they enjoy traveling, both domestically and internationally, as well as camping and attending sports events. When asked about his future with the board, Moser isn’t entirely sure if he’ll run for another term after his current one ends next year, but he’s grateful for the opportunity he’s had to serve.
