It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of Susan M. Scott, Ph.D. Scott was a member of the K-State community from 1976 until her retirement in 2013. Scott served as founding director of the Staley School of Leadership at Kansas State University from 1998-2009. Prior to becoming director of the Staley School, Scott held the lead position in the K-State Dean of Student Life office and served as a counselor in University Counseling Services.
Throughout her career, Scott worked relentlessly for an inclusive K-State community. Many of today’s student success and diversity programs can trace their history to early efforts Scott championed and helped lead. In 1996, she focused her efforts on instilling in students their ability and responsibility to lead and to serve the common good, and became the founding director of what is now the Staley School of Leadership.
Scott developed and taught the curriculum of the leadership studies minor, published in the area of credibility and co-authored a book entitled, Leadership Lessons from Bill Snyder, with leadership studies co-founder Robert J. Shoop, Ph.D. Scott led the effort to secure $11 million in private gifts to build a home for the Staley School, and oversaw the 36,000 square foot building project. She retired from K-State in 2013 as associate professor emerita.
“Susan Scott was the model of inclusive, effective community leadership,” said Mary Tolar, Ed.D., dean of the Staley School. “Our university and community are more equitable and caring because of Susan’s leadership – her purposeful action, investment in others, her wisdom, and the joy and love she shared with us all.”
An award in Scott’s name is presented annually at the Staley School’s Celebrating Service and Leadership spring awards event, the Susan M. Scott Community Leadership Award. The award recognizes leadership that brings progressive change to communities.
A visitation will take place Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to noon. Details are available online at www.ymlfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Susan-M.-Scott?obId=27928597. A celebration of life will take place in Manhattan at a later date.
