Kansas State University

search

The Loop

Category: Faculty and Staff

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

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

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.

Leadership Communication celebrates fall 2024 doctoral graduates

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

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 Africa, examines 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. 

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 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” →

Shams awarded for dissertation by International Leadership Association

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

The Staley School of Leadership celebrates Keyhan Shams, Ph.D., research assistant professor and assistant director of Third Floor Research, for his recent award from the International Leadership Association (ILA).

The Fredric M. Jablin Doctoral Dissertation Award is presented to one scholar annually  “whose doctoral dissertation research, while on any topic and from any discipline, demonstrates substantial insights and implications for the study of leadership.”

Shams’ dissertation, Bridging the Gap between Learning and Practicing Leadership: Developing New Instruments to Evaluate Leadership and Adaptation, explores how adaptive leadership ties into effective reasoning, focusing on self-awareness, role clarity, and managing conflict.

He presents new tools to measure these skills and examines the decision-making process, which he found to be emotionally and mentally challenging for leaders. His recommendations aim to help educators, researchers, and coaches support leaders in navigating these challenges, making leadership development more impactful and manageable.

“What makes me so happy about this award is that it recognizes a three-year, collaborative, and engaged effort with leadership researchers, educators, and practitioners,” said Shams. “I’m proud that the Staley School of Leadership and the Kansas Leadership Center jointly created a space where this collaboration could thrive.”

Read more about Shams’ work and ILA awards at ilaglobalconference.org/award-winners. Additionally, the latest report from Third Floor Research incorporates part of Shams’ dissertation and is available for free download from the Kansas Leadership Center website.

Keyhan Shams

Keyhan Shams, Ph.D., is a research assistant professor at the Staley School of Leadership and assistant director of Third Floor Research, a research partnership with the Kansas Leadership Center.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and design from the University of Tehran and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Iran’s Shahid Beheshti University. Recently, he earned his Ph.D. in leadership communication from Kansas State University.

Third Floor Research Sheds Light on the Need for Leadership Development in the High-Tech Industry

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

What about the problems that can’t be solved with our technical expertise? What about the problems that do not follow “If A then B logic? Workplace challenges like team conflict, burnout, or lack of communication aren’t like a computer crash that can be handed off to an expert to fix.

This article is the fourth entry of a blog series showcasing Third Floor Research’s findings. In this entry, we present the results of a study which highlights the specific needs of high-tech companies in their work environments that can be addressed through the application of leadership skills.

The graphic cover for the Third Floor Research Report, Leadership Development for Global Organizations in the High-tech industry. Over 2019-2020, Third Floor Research conducted a study on a five-week leadership development program at the Kansas Leadership Center, involving approximately 230 employees from a high-tech company across five global sites. Phase 1 of the study, utilizing a survey-based qualitative approach, explored the challenges faced by organizations and their teams in the workplace, as well as the ways peers, employees, and superiors should address these challenges. Researchers Tim Steffensmeier and Tamas Kowalik from Kansas State University, along with Tim O’Brien from Harvard University, point our attention to these challenges in their published report Leadership Development for Global Organizations in the High-tech Industry. The findings revealed a significant need for companies and corporations to saturate their workplace with leadership concepts and skills.

The study identifies eight pressing challenges reported by high-tech industry participants in their companies: Continue reading “Third Floor Research Sheds Light on the Need for Leadership Development in the High-Tech Industry” →

Join more than 1,000 Wildcats who loved ‘Cats Connect

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

Looking for a way to meet new people and connect with others? Sign up for a ‘Cats Connect group beginning the week of Oct 21.

Are you looking for a way to meet and connect with other K-Staters? Do you want to help build our K-State community? If so, sign up for ’Cats Connect – a program at Kansas State University designed to build community through conversation.

As a Health-Promoting University, Kansas State University 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.

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

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

‘Cats Connect is a peer-to-peer facilitated program designed to help groups of 4-6 Wildcats meet and develop friendships outside of their regular social circles. Groups meet for one hour for five consecutive weeks. 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.

Students, faculty, and staff are all invited to participate. Groups will be built based on shared experiences and availability. Participants can select in-person (on the Manhattan campus) or virtual meetings (via Zoom). There are two fall 2024 sessions to choose from:

  • Session 2 will meet weekly beginning the week of Oct. 21, through the week of Nov. 18.

Registration for Session 2 is due by Tuesday, Oct. 15. Continue reading “Join more than 1,000 Wildcats who loved ‘Cats Connect” →

Announcing the 2025 James R. Coffman Leadership Institute: Empowered Individuals, Enhanced Institutions

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

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: 

  1. Provide an opportunity for participants to refresh and develop their leadership skills in a safe yet challenging learning environment.
  2. Provide an opportunity for networking and interdisciplinary cooperation for faculty and staff.
  3. 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.