Kansas State University proudly presents the 2025 James R. Coffman Leadership Institute. This three-day institute, Jan. 8-10, 2025, will offer faculty and unclassified staff a unique opportunity to refresh and enhance their leadership skills and knowledge. The Coffman Institute serves as a launching point for continuous leadership development, professional networking, and empowerment of K-State professionals. The nomination deadline is Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
Purpose of the Institute
The three primary objectives of this institute are:
- Provide an opportunity for participants to refresh and develop their leadership skills in a safe yet challenging learning environment.
- Provide an opportunity for networking and interdisciplinary cooperation for faculty and staff.
- Infuse Kansas State University with more empowered faculty and staff leaders.
Building relationships
An essential key for leadership success in any organization is building strong relationships. Institute participants will have the opportunity to explore and initiate collaborative projects and discuss leadership issues. They will also have the chance to strengthen current relationships and to build new ones with other professionals at Kansas State University.
Recognizing your leadership style
The James R. Coffman Leadership Institute is based on the philosophy that every individual can successfully lead. This success depends on learning leadership skills as well as recognition of one’s leadership style. Further refining of one’s leadership style, understanding its associated strengths and challenges as well as its impact on decision-making, conflict resolution, and problem-solving preferences will be a major focus of the institute.
Institute format
The James R. Coffman Leadership Institute is a three-day experience.
Activities are arranged to maximize participant learning and engage all learning styles. Topics may include: inclusive leadership, conflict resolution, change management, leadership style assessment, shared leadership, and team building. Formats: workshops, panel discussions, small and large group activities, small group discussions, multimedia presentations, case studies, and self-assessments.
What to expect
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a focused and in-depth adult learning experience aimed at leadership development. They will be offered knowledge and skill-based learning modules to engage them cognitively and behaviorally. Attendees will also interact with other professionals who want to make a difference at K-State. Conference activities will take place at K-State’s Manhattan campus and in the local Manhattan community. As a feature of the institute, participants will get to experience and interact with different parts of the campus and community.
Nomination deadline: Friday, Oct. 25, 2024
Interested individuals may self-nominate, or a dean, director, or department head can nominate. In the case of a self-nomination, the nominee’s dean, director or department head will be asked to confirm support of the nominee. All nominations can be completed via the 2025 James R. Coffman Leadership Institution Nomination form.
Prior to submitting a nomination, all applicants should be available to attend the institute in its entirety and be in good standing with their department. Please do not self-nominate or nominate individuals who have previously attended the James R. Coffman Leadership Institute.
What previous participants have had to say
- Over 90% of past participants reported that workshops were extremely effective-to-effective. “It was so empowering and an honor to attend.”
- “My biggest takeaway from the institute was not learning new leadership concepts or skills but rather an increased awareness about leading on purpose and with purpose.”
- “The institute has equipped me with knowledge about my strengths which will be helpful in collaborating with others on research projects and project proposal, and leading my research them. My goal is harnessing my strengths to improve my research program.”
- “My expectations were pretty high, and you managed to surpass them.”
- “Both the community building and leadership goals were definitely met.”
- “Very effective…well organized, meaningful sessions and activities.”
Additional information
For additional information please contact Kait Long, Staley School of Leadership, at kaitlinl@ksu.edu or Megan Eakin, Human Resources, at meganeakin@ksu.edu.
Being a part of the Staley School of Leadership means having real-world opportunities to practice leadership. Jess Pittenger, a sophomore majoring in philosophy in the pre-law track with a minor in leadership studies, experienced this firsthand.
Interrogating Coaching Through the Lens of Critical Leadership Perspectives
Developing Emotional Intelligence Skills in Emerging Talent