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Author: Staley School of Leadership

Developing knowledgeable, ethical, caring, inclusive leaders for a diverse and changing world

Share a story of support—Nominate an outstanding member of faculty/staff

K-State students are invited to nominate a member of the Staley School of Leadership faculty or staff for the 2025 Rost award.

All Staley School of Leadership faculty and staff are eligible, and includes:

  • The University Honors Program
  • Applied Learning
  • Leadership and service programs
  • Leadership studies academics
  • Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research

Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 2.

Established by the Staley School of Leadership student ambassadors, the Rost award recognizes a member of the Staley School faculty or staff who exemplifies the mission statement of the Staley School:

Developing bold, curious, and connected learners to address our world’s most complex challenges

The recipient of this award should not only demonstrate these characteristics in their own lives, but should also inspire others to become better leaders.

Submitted nominations are shared with anyone who is nominated, making this an opportunity to share a message of thanks, support, or kindness with someone who has made an impact demonstrating the Staley School mission statement.

The Staley School Ambassadors will form a committee, review nominations and carefully select the 2025 recipient. The award is presented at Celebrating Service and Leadership, the Staley School spring awards event.

View a list of past recipients. For questions, email Kim Ralston, communications program administrator and co-advisor for the Staley School Ambassadors, at kimralston@ksu.edu.

The Staley School of Leadership at Kansas State University includes undergraduate and graduate leadership studies academic programs, leadership and service co-curricular programs, the University Honors Program, Applied Learning, and Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research. The Staley School develops bold, curious, and connected learners to address our world’s most complex challenges. To learn more, visit k-state.edu/leadership.

Exchange ideas, build your resume, and increase your confidence at the K-State Strengths Conference

A view of a classroom shows many students seated in grouped desks engaging in conversation.

On Friday, April 4, college students from about six Universities across the Midwest will gather for the second K-State Strengths for Students Conference. The first and only conference of its kind, the event is developed with students, by students and for students. Workshops throughout the day are led by students and are designed to help attendees develop and apply their CliftonStrengths and exchange ideas for Strengths integration in classes and student organizations.

The energy, passion, and motivation to collaborate at such a unique event aren’t the only thing the students – some from rival universities, even! – have in common. Their goals include deepening their understanding of their own Strengths to increase well-being, polishing their resumes, and learning how to advocate for themselves personally and professionally. Attendees also will exchange strategies and take new ideas back to their own campus communities to increase student engagement. The opportunities for growth and development, in their selves and for the greater good, are endless.

The K-State Strengths team invites students to attend the 2025 K-State Strengths for Students Conference:
10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday, April 4
Leadership Studies building

Registration is $20 per person and includes lunch. More details and registration are available on this website. Scholarships are available to cover the registration fee – see the registration form. Add the event to your calendar for event reminders and updates: Facebook | University calendar | OrgCentral Continue reading “Exchange ideas, build your resume, and increase your confidence at the K-State Strengths Conference”

Leadership Communication celebrates fall 2024 doctoral graduates

The Leadership Communication doctoral program at Kansas State University celebrated the fall 2024 graduates in December. Chibuzor Azubuike, Ph.D., Shukeyla Harrison, Ph.D., Ania Payne, Ph.D., and Jurdene Coleman, Ph.D., have completed their doctorates in Leadership Communication, an interdisciplinary program between the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education, the Staley School of Leadership, and the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication. 

Faculty and graduates pose for a photo in graduation regalia on commencement day. Pictured: Drs. Kerry Priest, Ania Payne (grad), Brandon Kliewer, Chibuzor Azubuike (grad), Andrew Wefald, Keyla Harrison (grad), and Samuel Mwangi. T
From left: Drs. Kerry Priest, Ania Payne, Brandon Kliewer, Chibuzor Azubuike, Andrew Wefald, Keyla Harrison, and Samuel Mwangi. T

Chibuzor Azubuike, Ph.D., has a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, a Master of Arts in Diaspora and Transnational Studies, and certificates in Conflict Resolution and Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies.

Azubuike’s dissertation, titled, Narratives of Resilience from Indigenous Women in North America and Africaexamines the lasting consequences of colonialism on Native American and African societies, particularly the disruption of Indigenous leadership and land displacement. 
Chibuzor Azubuike

Her work points out that while much scholarship focuses on the injustices caused by colonization, the lesser-explored perspective of the resilience of Indigenous women in North America and Africa reveals that mentorship and skill-building play a crucial role in fostering resilience, empowering Indigenous women to navigate and challenge the enduring effects of colonialism in their communities. 

Currently an outreach and communications coordinator at the Kansas African Studies Center at the University of Kansas, Azubuike said the robust curriculum and helpful peer mentors greatly impacted her success as a graduate of the Leadership Communication doctoral program. 

Ania Payne, Ph.D., has a bachelor’s degree in English, and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing.

Photo: Ania Payne

Payne’s dissertation is titled, Empowering Communities: Asset-Based Approaches to Community Writing Partnerships. Her research finds that English instructors often use inconsistent and deficit-based language when describing community partnerships. To improve community writing practices, it offers recommendations for designing syllabi and classroom experiences that emphasize community strengths and foster true collaboration. 

Payne is an assistant professor of English at K-State. She gained a deep understanding of the scholarship of engagement during the Lead Comm program and appreciated the close relationships and support from faculty who motivated her throughout her time in the program. 

Shukeyla Harrison, Ph.D., has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminology, a Master of Business Administration, and a certificate in organizational leadership. She is a program director in the Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering at Kansas State University. Harrison enjoyed the supportive environment of the Leadership Communication team and met lifelong friends. 

Photo of Shukeyla Harrison

Harrison’s dissertation is titled, Illuminating black students’ experiences in higher education: A critical narrative inquiry. Her research examines the gap in Authentic Leadership Theory (ALT) by exploring how authenticity is shaped in academic settings, particularly between Black students and white faculty at predominantly white institutions. It investigates the impact of white fragility on Black students’ self-authenticity, both in college and beyond. The research highlights how these challenges affect academic success and post-graduation opportunities, emphasizing the need for more equitable educational environments. 

Jurdene Coleman, Ph.D., has a bachelor of arts in psychology, a masters in family studies and human services, and a graduate certificate in qualitative research.  

Her dissertation is titled, Black leadership in education governance: A critical autoethnographic study of school board service. Using autoethnography, Coleman’s dissertation explores the experiences of being a Black school board member in a predominantly white Kansas district, highlighting the impact of white supremacist organizational values on school board processes. The study examines the challenges of representation, the necessity of navigating double consciousness, and the barriers to Black participation in governance. Coleman expands on leadership-as-practice theory, offering concrete strategies to increase Black school board member engagement and advocating for more just and inclusive school boards.

Jurdene Coleman

Jurdene Coleman is a trainer for the Kansas Department of Education’s School Mental Health Initiative. She said the Leadership Communication doctoral program opened doors to collaborating with many organizations throughout the state, creating opportunities to build skills in civic facilitation, professional development and leadership coaching.  

“Most importantly, the program taught me that leading change in communities/organizations starts with the people in those communities, and that is a lesson I will continue to exude in my professional experiences.” 

Applications for the Leadership Communication doctoral program for the fall 2026 academic year are currently being accepted. Learn more. 

HandsOn Kansas State to host mobile food distribution

HandsOn Kansas State, in conjunction with Harvesters Community Food Network of Topeka, will host a mobile food distribution Friday, Feb. 14.

The Mobile Food Distribution will take place in the parking lot of the Chester E. Peters Recreation Complex, beginning at 4 p.m. until supplies run out.

The distribution is open to all members of the K-State and Manhattan community with food offered at no cost.

Individuals who plan to walk up are encouraged to bring reusable bags to make it easier to carry food.

Volunteers are needed to assist at the event. To sign up to volunteer, email handson@ksu.edu.

Due to construction on Denison Avenue, please read the following arrival procedures for drivers and review the map below:

  • All vehicles must enter Gate 8 and stage in the H-3 parking lot from the eastbound lane of Kimball Avenue.
  • All vehicles must exit through Gate 9.
  • Participants should plan to help open vehicle doors as needed.

A map of the Rec parking lot shows arrrows and instructions: Enter Gate 8. Exit Gate 9.

HandsOn Kansas State is a program housed within the Staley School of Leadership that promotes civic learning and leadership through meaningful volunteer and service opportunities between campus and community. HandsOn strives to develop socially-responsible citizens, knowledgeably equipped for active participation. For more information, volunteer opportunities, or questions about mobile food distributions, contact HandsOn Kansas State at handson@k-state.edu.