Kansas State University

Graduate students and faculty from Kansas State University’s interdisciplinary leadership communication doctoral program contributed chapters to a newly released edited book Achieving Equity in Higher Education Using Empathy as a Guiding Principle. This book explores what empathy is, how empathy can be developed, and how administrators, practitioners, academicians, scholars, researchers, instructors, and students can apply empathy to be more equity-minded and achieve equitable outcomes.

K-State contributors co-authored the following chapters: Continue reading “Leadership communication team contributes to book on empathy, equity in higher education” →

In this special essay, Tamas Kowalik, doctoral candidate in Leadership Communication, offers a cultural and contextual leadership analysis that provides insight into ways strong-man authority structures contribute to Russian aggression. Kowalik urges us to consider individual and collective approaches to leadership action and reminds us that it is never too late to start adaptive work.

My doctoral dissertation theme selection – the role of authority and dependence on authority in a strong authority context – has been determined by my mostly bitter, lived experiences in Hungary. Growing up in Hungary, behind the Berlin Wall, strong authority structures and interactions, including power, position, psychological pressure, public humiliation, judgment, scapegoating, and most importantly, the need to express loyalties to authority, have been part of my life. If not directly affected, through the stories people have told me in my environment.

People lived under oppression, both politically and mentally. It all started in schools, where oral assignments (memorizing and recalling lexical knowledge that happened in front of the class) meant extraordinary psychological pressure and often led to public humiliation. Without thinking of and developing a conscious strategy or repertoire of behavior, I tried to navigate these social interactions and structures. In these situations, most of the time, I felt intimidated and uncomfortable. Depending on the case – especially if it was associated with injustice (which often was the case), I also felt fear and/or anger. I lived in a context where people were socialized to remain silent, hold back, and depend on the authority only sharing their criticism about the authority behind his/her back. Continue reading “The price of silence: Reflections on authority and leadership” →

Brandon W. Kliewer, Ph.D., associate professor of civic leadership in the Staley School of Leadership Studies and Leadership Communication doctoral program, is a guest editor for a new Journal of Leadership Studies symposium entitled Listening: New Horizons in Leadership Theory and Application.

The Journal of Leadership Studies features contributions that bridge the gap between theory and practice, exemplify critical inquiry into contemporary organizational issues, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and explore leadership’s role in improving organizational practices and human life.

The collection of essays in this symposium creates new opportunities to think about, consider, and apply listening in leadership learning, development, scholarship, and practice. The symposium features these K-State scholars and collaborators:

• What are we Listening For?: Material-Discursive Considerations for Leadership – R.J. Youngblood, assistant director, Academic Achievement Center, adjunct instructor, Staley School of Leadership Studies, and doctoral candidate in Leadership Communication,
• Leadership (And Listening)—As-Practice – Trisha Gott, Ed.D., associate director and assistant professor, Staley School of Leadership Studies
• Coaching, Listening, and Leadership – Andrew Wefald, Ph.D., associate professor, Staley School of Leadership Studies.
• Overcoming Barriers to Practicing Listening as Leadership – Leigh Fine, Ph.D., assistant dean for undergraduate programs and student engagement for the College of Business Administration at Loyola Marymount University
• Facilitating Listening for Understanding Through the Use of Stories – Stan Amaladas, Ph.D., associate professor, Baker College Center for Graduate Studies

Kliewer and colleagues’ scholarship advances the broader field of leadership studies and helps to develop the capacity of people and organizations seeking to lead change.

Early view copies of the symposium can be found here.

Kerry Priest, Ph.D., associate professor in the Staley School of Leadership Studies, was recently named director for Kansas State University’s interdisciplinary leadership communication doctoral program.

Priest takes over the role from Tim Steffensmeier, Ph.D., professor and director of the program from 2017 to 2021. Under Steffensmeier’s leadership, the interdisciplinary research degree launched and has grown to 31 active students and three recent doctoral graduates.

This collaborative program includes 22 core and associate faculty from K-State’s department of communications and agricultural education, department of communication studies, Staley School of Leadership Studies, A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and the department of educational leadership.

As director, Priest provides strategic administration of the program, developing and executing plans to support and advance recruitment efforts, graduate education, and engaged research activity among students and faculty.

“Dr. Priest brings tremendous enthusiasm and talent to the role of director,” says Jason Ellis, Ph.D., department head for communications and agricultural education and program advisory team member. “Her background, academic preparation, and experience will serve her well in leading this interdisciplinary program. Dr. Steffensmeier set the program on a tremendous trajectory of success and Kerry is poised to continue that momentum.”

Priest has been a faculty member with the Staley School for 10 years, and a leadership communication faculty member since the program began.