Kansas State University

The Staley School of Leadership, in partnership with the Staley School student ambassadors, and supported in part by the office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, hosted Caitie Whelan in October for a workshop series on public policy. More than 75 students, faculty, staff and community members participated in the events.  

Whelan, a former Congressional staffer, is a policy entrepreneur who helps demystify the public policy process and how policy is made, so citizens can easily and effectively contribute to the systems that directly impact daily life at local levels.  

“I think that having workshops like these are important because public policy is so much more than just rules and regulations; it’s about shaping the world we want to live in. I want to have an impact, not just for myself but for my community,” said Kiersten Schmalz, junior studying business management and marketing, with minors in leadership studies and psychology, and a Staley School Ambassador.

“We all should want what’s best for our neighbors and when we all are able to engage in these conversations, we can better learn how to create the kind of change that matters and helps everyone thrive!”  

Throughout the workshops, Whelan engaged with Wildcats to highlight who the Kansas representatives are, in what areas of policy they have input, and how to best communicate with them about issues that matter most to the workshop participants.  

For anyone who could not attend the workshops, Whelan recorded “Three Essential Tools to Help Shape the Laws You Live Under.” These videos are brief but packed with easy-to-understand information about public policy. Her comments are also summarized in this infographic.  Continue reading “Whelan shines light on public policy and local government right in time for voting season “ →

Imagine your community is the midst of a crisis: a massive electrical outage, a hazardous spill, or the collapse of a major communications system across a town.

Now, imagine you are one of about four to six individuals in a position of leadership in that community that is called into action to work through the logistics and processes needed to persevere. And you’ll be judged on how your team works together to formulate the action plan.

This two-day crisis management simulation is the Washburn University Leadership Challenge Event (LCE). The Staley School of Leadership has represented Kansas State University for nearly ten years at this immersive applied learning experience, providing students with intellectual and practical leadership development in a unique forum, and with the opportunity for participants to network with peers from across the country.

The Staley School is looking for undergraduate or masters-seeking students to participate in the 2025 event, which will take place March 6-7, 2025. Students will represent K-State in the two-day event at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Travel, meals, and accommodations are included, and the team will travel with Emmanuel Jeje, team advisor and graduate research assistant for the K-State Office of Engagement.

“It is a life-changing experience, an opportunity to showcase future leaders from Kansas and beyond by recognizing solid knowledge and use of leadership skills throughout the competition,” said Jeje.

“It is one of those events that you must be there to experience it. It will provide intellectual and practical leadership development in a unique forum, and with the opportunity for participants to network with peers from across the country.”

Last year, the Staley School took a team of ten students. View a story map of the event here.

Anna Coke, who is studying regional and community planning with minors in leadership studies and business, participated on the team in 2023 and 2024.

“I enjoyed having to think a bit outside of my comfort zone because, while uncomfortable, I was able to go through different thinking processes and look at the problems from other perspectives,” said Coke.

Students interested in participating on the K-State team at the 2024 Washburn Leadership Challenge Event should email Emmanuel Jeje at eajeje@ksu.edu by Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

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, and Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research. The Staley School equips learners with leadership skills and academic excellence through applied learning experiences, in-class learning, and community partnerships around the world. To learn more, visit www.k-state.edu/leadership.