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Category: Student Programs

Public policy essential skills workshop for students

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

Students, are you interested in learning how public policy affects your everyday life and how you can make an impact? The Staley School of Leadership Student Ambassadors invite students to a dynamic workshop series led by Caitie Whelan, a former Congressional staffer and policy entrepreneur. Whelan is known for her practical, relatable approach to understanding and shaping public policy, and her workshops are designed to be accessible to everyone—no prior experience or political knowledge is required.

Seats are limited to 40 students per session, so be sure to register early. Light refreshments will be provided.

What students will gain

  • Understanding how public policy affects you – From what’s on your dinner table to the roads you drive on, public policy shapes your world.
  • Tools to engage with policymakers – Learn how to communicate with local and state politicians to advocate for change.
  • Clarity on how to influence decisions – Discover which government representatives handle specific issues, and how to frame your message for the best results.
  • Actionable skills – Walk away with a toolkit of practical skills that will empower you to make a difference.
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This workshop series is perfect for students looking to play an active role in shaping their community and future. Whelan makes the world of public policy approachable and hands-on, ensuring you leave each session equipped with the knowledge and confidence to take action.

“I believe opportunities like this are essential for personal growth. Before attending, you may feel uncertain, but by the end, this experience is likely to have a lasting impact on your life,” said Lauren Taylor, senior studying communications with a minor in leadership studies and certificates in nonprofit leadership and social media marketing. Continue reading “Public policy essential skills workshop for students” →

Coach Jerome Tang to present What Matters to Me and Why

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

What Matters to Me and Why leadership lecture series. Image of Coach Jerome Tang, K-State Men's Basketball Coach

The Staley School of Leadership invites students, staff, faculty, and community members to kick off the 2024-25 What Matters to Me and Why leadership lecture series with Kansas State University’s men’s basketball Coach, Jerome Tang.

This What Matters to Me and Why lecture will take place noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, in the K-State Student Union Forum Hall and on Zoom. The Staley School will hand out cookies, and we encourage attendees to enjoy lunch on their own before or after the event.

Registration is required and due by 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2.

What Matters to Me and Why encourages reflection within the K-State community on matters of personal values, beliefs, and motivations in order to better understand the lives and inspirations of those who serve and shape the University. The presenter is encouraged to share a story of their personal journey – how they have chosen to live their life, the core values they have adopted, the personal choices they have made and lessons they have learned.

“This series is approaching its ninth year with nearly 30 K-Staters having presented, which really speaks for itself when you consider the value and impact it creates for our campus community,” said Tamara Bauer, Ed.D., assistant professor of teaching and director of leadership and service programs at the Staley School of Leadership.

“Programs that positively impact Wildcats’ social well-being is so critical to the strength of our campus success, and this form of storytelling helps us understand one another and build trust, which really makes a difference as we work across the University to deliver excellence for our students and communities.”

This informal leadership lecture series supports K-State’s Principles of Community and the Health Promoting University by encouraging reflection on matters of personal values, beliefs and motivations to better understand the lives and inspirations of those who serve and shape the university.

This series is sponsored by the Staley School of Leadership and supported by a cross-campus planning committee.

Additional opportunities from the Staley School that focus on social well-being include ‘Cats Connect, Wildcat Dialogues, and many more. Subscribe to the Staley School web calendar events to receive regular event updates.

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. 

Are you ready to serve as a small group facilitator? Sign up by Monday, Sept. 9. 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 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the K-State Student Union. In addition, facilitators are needed to host a small make-up session 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24.

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 short training module to complete on Canvas, and facilitators will need to attend a training session and practice session.

Facilitators will need to attend one of the following training sessions in-person at the Leadership Studies Building:

  • 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10
  • 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11
  • 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11
Additionally, first-time facilitators (and anyone who would like to) will be asked to attend a facilitation practice.
  • 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16
  • 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17

Are you ready to serve as a small group facilitator? Sign-up using this link by Monday, Sept. 9.

Join us as a facilitator and gain essential skills during this applied learning opportunity.

Have questions or want to know more? Check out the FAQ’s about the event or email Tamara Bauer or Austin Drake, Staley School of Leadership, tamara@ksu.edu or adrake329@ksu.edu.

 

Create belonging at Wildcat Dialogues on Sept. 18

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

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

Are you in your first year (or first time) at K-State? Join us for a K-State tradition – Wildcat Dialogues.

Mark your calendars for 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18! Wildcat Dialogues is an intercultural learning and leadership event designed for all first-year K-State students. This evening provides an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and building connections, as we work to create a community of belonging for all. For those who can’t attend Sept. 18, there is a make-up session 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. See registration forms for details.

Registration is due by Sunday, Sept. 15:

During Wildcat Dialogues, students will:

  • Learn how to create communities of belonging
  • Build cross-cultural relationships through meaningful dialogue
  • Engage in active listening, empathy and perspective-taking
  • Build a skillset to understand cultural differences and similarities

Continue reading “Create belonging at Wildcat Dialogues on Sept. 18” →

Students facilitate learning with local JAG-K

Posted on by Staley School of Leadership

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.

Pittenger, a co-chair for the Staley School Ambassadors’ education committee, developed a plan to facilitate a leadership learning experience with the organization JAG-K (Jobs for America’s Graduates Kansas). This nonprofit organization provides elective classes for Kansas high school students, offering academic resources, assistance with post-graduation plans, and exposure to extracurricular activities.

Continue reading “Students facilitate learning with local JAG-K” →

Build your network through ‘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 Sept. 16.

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 950 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 1 will meet weekly beginning the week of Sep. 16, through the week of Oct. 14.
  • Session 2 will meet weekly beginning the week of Oct. 21, through the week of Nov. 18.

Registrations for Session 1 are due by Tuesday, Sept. 10. Continue reading “Build your network through ‘Cats Connect” →