Kansas State University

search

The Loop

Category: Student Programs

Facilitators needed for Wildcat Dialogues

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

Wildcat Dialogues is an intercultural leadership experience designed to introduce first-time students to tools they can use to engage in meaningful dialogues across differences to help create communities of belonging at K-State. 

My Story Your Story Our Story. Wildcat DialoguesAre you ready to serve as a small group facilitator? Sign up by Wednesday, Oct. 26. K-State students, faculty and staff are invited to join us as facilitators. Facilitators are needed each year to play a critical role helping first-year students connect with each other, share their stories and engage in meaningful dialogue. Training is provided and facilitators will get a free Wildcat Dialogues T-shirt.

Wildcat Dialogues will take place 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the K-State Student Union. Virtual sessions will also be available and will take place Nov. 2-4.

As a small group facilitator, you will:

  • Guide groups of 8-10 students in a dialogue to help them develop skills in intercultural leadership
  • Actively contribute to the university in its mission to create a campus culture of belonging for all students
  • Develop your own ability to facilitate meaningful dialogue around difficult topics

How can you join us?
All facilitators will participate in training on intercultural learning and small group facilitation, as well as detailed information on the program for Wildcat Dialogues. To prepare, there is a training module to complete on Canvas, and facilitators will need to attend a training session.

Training for facilitators who plan to facilitate the in-person event, Nov. 1, will need to attend one of the following training sessions in-person at the Leadership Studies Building:

  • 3 – 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27
  • Noon – 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28
  • 3 – 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

Training for facilitators who plan to facilitate virtual sessions will need to attend one of the following training sessions on Zoom:

  • 7 – 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30
  • 3 – 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31

Have questions or want to know more? Email Tamara Bauer, Staley School of Leadership, tamara@ksu.edu. And, check out the FAQs about the event.

This event is coordinated in partnership between the Staley School of Leadership, Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs, K-State First, and the K-State Student Union, alongside a large committee representing students, faculty and staff.  This collaboration represents the commitment by our campus community to create a culture of belonging for all.

New students invited to Wildcat Dialogues

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

Video preview: WIldcat Dialogues. Participants share what you can expect at this event.

Register today! We invite all first-year and first-time-on-campus students at Kansas State University to the fifth annual Wildcat Dialogues, an intercultural learning experience facilitated by students, faculty and staff conversation guides. Wildcat Dialogues introduces first-year and first-time-on-campus students to tools that ease engagement in in meaningful conversations across differences, which help to create communities of belonging at K-State.

The 2022 Wildcat Dialogues will take place 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the K-State Student Union. Registration is due by Wednesday, Oct. 26. Virtual sessions are also available; see registration form for details.

During Wildcat Dialogues, students will:

  • Learn the importance and the art of engaging in meaningful dialogues
  • Learn tools to engage in dialogue about our cultural similarities and differences
  • Strategize and act to create a community of belonging at K-State

Each year, K-State has gathered more than 1,000 new students to engage in meaningful conversations that elevate intercultural learning and development of the K-State community.

Why should students attend?

  • To gain understanding of student experiences unlike their own
  • To learn how to engage with a diverse student population at K-State
  • To boost listening skills
  • To contribute to a community of belonging at K-State

This event is coordinated in partnership between the Staley School of Leadership, Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs, K-State First, and the K-State Student Union, alongside a large committee representing students, faculty and staff. This collaboration represents the commitment by our campus community to create a culture of belonging for all.

For any questions, please contact Tamara Bauer, Staley School of Leadership, at tamara@k-state.edu, Dr. Debra Bolton, Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs, at dbolton@k-state.edu, Mariya Vaughan, K-State First, at mbjv@k-state.edu, or Corey Williamson, K-State Student Union, at cdw4388@k-state.edu

Are you a sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student who has attended Wildcat Dialogues previously? Would you like to serve as a small group facilitator Wildcat Dialogues? Learn more here.

Powers joins Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships as director 

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

The Kansas State University Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships, housed in the Staley School of Leadership, welcomes Beth Powers as director.

photo of beth powersPowers comes to K-State from the University of Chicago where she worked with graduate students as the director of fellowships and writing. She has more than 20 years of nationally competitive fellowship advising and leadership experience, including four years previously at K-State. She is a founding member of the National Association of Fellowships Advisors. 

It was recently announced that Jim Hohenbary, former director, will begin to work full time as associate director of the University Honors Program. During the transition, Powers will work closely with Hohenbary to ensure a smooth transition. 

“I’m thrilled to be back at K-State,” said Powers.

“The foundation of success at K-State in nationally competitive scholarships is an exciting opportunity as we continue to increase awareness and access to scholarships for students. Showcasing our students’ knowledge, drive and skills at this level is a key factor in the University’s strategic plan and land-grant mission.” 

Powers rejoins a long K-State tradition of actively encouraging and supporting applications for nationally competitive scholarships.  She plans to carry forward and expand that legacy by increasing awareness of nationally competitive awards, including among broader and more diverse audiences. 

She believes that the process of applying not only sets students up to potentially win funding to support their academic and life path, but also provides an opportunity to refine their goals through the process of research, dialogue and writing.  Powers is looking forward to partnering with offices throughout campus to help make scholarship opportunities visible and accessible to students.  

For more information, visit the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships website.

Celebrate 10 years of Strengths at K-State

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

Kansas State University is excited to celebrate ten years of students identifying and developing their top five CliftonStrengths at Spotlight on Strengths. Students, faculty and staff are invited to join the K-State Strengths team and Blue Key Senior Honorary on Tuesday, Oct. 11, from 4:30-6 p.m. in the K-State Student Union Forum Hall. The event will highlight stories of strength, hope, grit and resilience at K-State.

Special guest speakers include K-State First Lady Sally Linton, Del’Sha Roberts, well-being advisor for the Morrison Center for Student Well-Being, and Stacia Mendoza, K-State Student Ambassador and Blue Key President, and Karlyn Gustin, K-State Strengths Cat Community Freshman.

After the presentations, participants will break into small groups to share their own stories of strength, hope, grit and resilience. This event is co-sponsored by Blue Key Senior Honorary and the Strengths, engagement and well-being initiative.

Registration for Spotlight on Strengths is due by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9.

Continue reading “Celebrate 10 years of Strengths at K-State” →

University Honors Program update: new staff, new cohort, new opportunities

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

The University Honors Program (UHP), housed in the Staley School of Leadership, is increasing enrollment, expanding the impact of Honors across campus, and creating more opportunities for student learning. Here are a few highlights:  

  • Increased staffing: The UHP is excited to announce that Jim Hohenbary, after 22 years of working with nationally competitive scholarships, will now focus solely on working with the UHP as associate director. We also welcome Zac Pugmire, master’s student in Couple and Family Therapy, who has joined honors as a graduate assistant. 
  • Increase in applications for fall 2023: Based on current numbers, the UHP anticipates a significant increase in Honors applications for fall 2023 compared to the past four years. Special thanks to the Office of Recruiting and Admissions for helping us increase visibility and streamline our application process.  
  • Inaugural Affiliated Faculty: In spring 2022 we welcomed our first cohort of UHP Affiliated Faculty who represent all colleges across campus. These faculty, who have demonstrated a commitment to honors through their teaching, advising and mentoring, will continue to promote honors and provide programmatic feedback. 
  • Increase in honors opportunities: With the help of faculty and staff, the UHP has continued to increase the number of pre-established Honors course contracts, offering honors students more formalized opportunities to earn honors credit within their academic programs.  
  • New Honors study abroad option: Multiple faculty have worked with the UHP in past years to help us offer Honors course options at the KSU in Italy site in Orvieto, Italy.  Now, working with the office of education abroad, students will also be able to earn Honors credit for courses associated with the new KSU in Ireland program.  

We are excited for the future of the University Honors Program and thank you all for your continued support.    

Sara Luly, faculty director 
Jim Hohenbary, associate director 

‘Cats Connect begins Oct. 17

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

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 new program at Kansas State University designed to build community through conversation.

‘Cats Connect is a peer-to-peer facilitated program designed to help groups of four to six 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.

We are seeking facilitators and participants for ‘Cats Connect groups beginning the week of Oct. 17. Students, faculty, and staff are all invited to participate. Groups will be built by the ‘Cats Connect team based on available times and classification.

Registrations for fall 2022 ‘Cats Connect are due by noon Wednesday, Oct.12

Groups will meet Oct. 17 through Nov. 18. If you are not available during any of the sessions listed below, there is a space on the registration form to submit your availability. Continue reading “‘Cats Connect begins Oct. 17” →

Join us for the 12th annual Spirit of Leadership

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

Spirit of Leadership - Celebrating 25 years of leadership studies at K-State

The Staley School of Leadership invites alumni, students and friends to the 2022 Spirit of Leadership. As we reunite for our 12th annual Spirit of Leadership, we celebrate 25 years of leadership studies at Kansas State University.

More details about the events, including registration, is available on our website. RSVPs are requested by Oct. 28.

Powercat Virtual leadership learning sessions
Thursday, Nov. 3
11:30 a.m. – Keynote presentation

Noon – Breakout sessions (choose one)

  • Celebrating 25 Years – The Origin Story
  • Leadership Lessons From Our Friends in Sub-Saharan Africa
  • How Your Business/Organization Can Benefit From a K-State Partnership
  • Manage Stress by Being Mindful, and What Exactly That Means
  • How to Connect with Our Neighbors Amid Divisive Topics
  • Customize Your Learning: What Honors is Really About

Powercat In-person Celebration
6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4
Leadership Studies Building

Powercat K-State Football vs. Texas: Saturday, Nov. 5
Discounted tickets are available. Sit with us in section 17!
The Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows will be recognized on the field prior to kickoff.

For questions, please contact leadership@ksu.edu or call 785-532-6085.