This past year, Chase Blasi (R-Wichita), a 2015 Newman University graduate, was elected to the Kansas Senate as the senator for District 27, which currently encompasses Andale, Colwich, St. Marks and northwest Wichita. That’s a total of about 73,000 Kansans he represents.
“As the youngest member of the Kansas Senate at 28 years old, and only a handful under the age of 50, I’ve had the opportunity to bring issues to light that countless young Kansans are struggling with,” Blasi said. “From access to safe, affordable childcare to the skills needed to succeed in the workforce, I’ve been able to champion issues that often get ignored simply because of generational differences.”
He shared that the most enjoyable parts of his service as senator thus far have been using his position of leadership to help change lives for the better. In particular, Blasi has been able to advocate for Kansans who are struggling to receive services because of an overly bureaucratic process.
Examples include helping a young, disabled man who couldn’t drive to work line up a job, which he was previously unable to do due to overly burdensome regulations. Today, he is happily employed. Another example includes assisting a homeless man who did not have a driver’s license or Social Security card due to his situation, and without those, he could not find stable housing and proper assistance.
From access to safe, affordable childcare to the skills needed to succeed in the workforce, I’ve been able to champion issues that often get ignored simply because of generational differences.
Chase Blasi
“Together, we’ve been able to push through the red tape and give people hope,” Blasi said.
Using formative experiences to transform society
Prior to becoming senator, Blasi worked various roles in every legislative session since graduating from Newman.
He was the legislative policy director for the Kansas Department of Revenue, then the chief of staff for both former Senate President Susan Wagle (R-Wichita) and current Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover).
In addition to his role in the Kansas Senate, Blasi works in community relations for Evergy.
It’s a field he was initially interested in pursuing because of his firm Catholic faith.
“I am inspired by St. Thomas More (patron of statesmen) who served the state well, but God first,” Blasi said. “I’ve been interested in government and the political process since I was in middle school. This would have been during the Iraq War and Great Recession years. Almost seems like yesterday, but crazy to think how much has changed since then.”
When it came time to pursue a college degree, Blasi chose to enroll in the business administration – management program at Newman. While a student, he served as student body president, was involved in Campus Ministry, was a member of the Student Government Association and more.
The most rewarding experience for him, though, was being an ASC Service Award Scholar.
“The fundamental teaching of servant leadership was so powerful, and it has helped me succeed in my leadership capacity,” Blasi said.
He added, “I’m humbled and blessed to represent the community I was born and raised into, and the same community I’m raising my sons in. I look forward to serving the people of west Sedgwick County and Wichita.”
Earn a degree in management from Newman
Our Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Management program prepares students to participate in a variety of educational and practical experiences.
