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Connect with K-Staters this semester

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

Graphic image with pictures of groups of people from 'Cats Connect sessions

 

Did you know?

Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States, declared loneliness a major health crisis, urging Americans to strengthen connections and community with one another*.

‘Cats Connect can help! ‘Cats Connect is designed to bring K-Staters together and strengthen the community through meaningful conversations. It’s an opportunity to meet and connect with others while building a sense of belonging at K-State. Students, faculty, and staff are all invited to participate in-person or on Zoom.

Sign up for a ‘Cats Connect group beginning the week of Feb. 10, to build and strengthen your connections!

As a Health Promoting University, K-State is dedicated to supporting the holistic health and well-being of each student, faculty, and staff member. One aspect of well-being includes social health, which is the ability to form meaningful relationships that provide support, guidance and encouragement.

‘Cats Connect has worked to improve mental health and social well-being by connecting more than 1,000 K-Staters! Building relationships can help protect against stress, anxiety and depression. Positive relationships also increase student satisfaction and retention, as well as faculty/staff engagement.

What you’ll do
Groups of 4–7 Wildcats meet once a week for an hour over five weeks, forming friendships beyond their usual social circles. During each meeting, everyone will have the opportunity to respond to a series of fun and thought-provoking questions and engage in a small connection project.

Groups will be built based on availability. Participants can select in-person (on the Manhattan campus) or virtual meetings (via Zoom). There are two spring 2025 sessions to choose from:

  • Session 1: Meets weekly beginning the week of Feb. 10, through the week of March 10.
  • Session 2: Meets weekly beginning the week of March 31, through the week of April 28.

Register for Session 1 by Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Continue reading “Connect with K-Staters this semester” →

Staley School seeking LEAD 212 Class Leaders for fall ’25

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

The Staley School of Leadership is seeking applicants to serve as LEAD 212 Class Leaders during the fall 2025 semester. LEAD 212 Class Leaders are students who help teach LEAD 212: Introduction to Leadership Concepts. This peer leader role is an excellent opportunity to enhance facilitation skills, develop personally and professionally, and enrich the learning experience for students in LEAD 212.

Applications are due Wednesday, Feb. 12.

These students serve as a bridge between students and instructors – they are motivated to help students learn the academic discipline of leadership and connect to the K-State campus community. LEAD 212 Class Leaders will work six to nine hours per week at $12 per hour during the semester.

LEAD 212 Class Leaders are asked to:

  • Facilitate small group discussions
  • Lead active-learning exercises
  • Create a learning community with their students
  • Perform administrative functions (such as grading, attendance, etc).

Class Leaders have a rich history at K-State of impacting students’ well-being by creating a community of belonging, supporting students during their transition to college, and opening their eyes to the benefits of applied learning experiences through projects within the community.

For questions email Mike Finnegan at mikefinn@ksu.edu.

K-State Strengths Coaches needed for 2025-26

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

K-State Strengths, housed within the Staley School of Leadership, is seeking Strengths Peer Coaches for the 2025-26 academic year. Student Peer Coaches work one-on-one with Kansas State University students to support them in the development of their CliftonStrengths toward personal and academic success.

Peer Coaches help students dive deeper into their Strengths, find connections between their Strengths and everyday activities, work through challenges, and develop ways to increase their engagement and well-being.

Applications are due Wednesday, Feb. 12.

“My work as a peer coach is not exclusive to coaching sessions. I am constantly developing active listening skills, communication, and empathy. Because of this experience, I am able to support my friends better, delegate tasks in group work more effectively, and contribute to leadership roles I hold with more awareness of how we work together,” said Erin Jackson, senior in secondary education with a minor in leadership studies, and a Strengths Peer Coach.

Erin Jackson, pictured in orange at the Wildcat Dialogues event in the fall, is a Strengths Peer Coach.

“I have especially grown in my communication skills. I feel that my time as a peer coach has helped me to express my own talents and abilities, as well as equipping me to help others communicate theirs.”

For questions, please email strengths@ksu.edu. Join the Strengths Peer Coaching team in helping students at K-State apply their top five and thrive!

Staley School scholars present at global conference

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

Several Staley School of Leadership faculty and doctoral students represented Kansas State University at the 27th annual International Leadership Association (ILA) Global Conference. The conference took place Nov. 7-10, in Chicago, Illinois.

The conference theme, Architects of Change: Leaders, Followers and Communities, highlights the vital role of change-makers in the evolving landscapes around the globe. It emphasizes the importance of both people leading together in communities, reminding us that we all contribute to shaping the future.

The ILA is the largest worldwide professional community committed to leadership scholarship, practice, development, and education. Their mission is to advance leadership knowledge and practice for a better world. The annual conference draws more than 1,200 leaders and leadership professionals worldwide.

The work presented reflects the Staley School’s research priorities of advancing leadership learning and development, building civic capacity, and leading change. Presenters included faculty and graduate students.

“Our faculty and students continue to make field-changing contributions through this dynamic global community of scholars and practitioners. What we share and what we learn advances leadership learning and practice across the university and the communities we serve,” said Mary Tolar, dean of the Staley School of Leadership.

Six Staley School scholars pose in front of an ILA photo backdrop, some holding photo prop speech bubbles like "I heart leadership."

Following is a list of presentations by K-State faculty and colleagues: Continue reading “Staley School scholars present at global conference” →