Graduate Student Leadership Development
The Graduate School, in partnership with the Staley School of Leadership, offers leadership development opportunities to K-State graduate students across disciplines. Master’s and doctoral students are encouraged to take advantage of these unique opportunities to push their leadership to the next level.
These experiences support graduate students in developing non-technical skills that contribute to their academic success and career preparedness. They are also an excellent opportunity for graduate students to connect and build community with peers in other disciplines.
Choose your path
Through this partnership, there are two pathways for graduate student leadership development:Graduate students who are looking for a more structured leadership development opportunities are invited to apply for the Grad Edge cohort program. In addition to the Leading Change series, participants will engage in cohort workshops, peer reading groups, and other activities with the Grad Edge community.
Any K-State graduate student is welcome to participate in this workshop series. Graduate students can select from a variety of topics related to leadership in groups, teams, and communities. No application is necessary for this pathway, but graduate students will register for each workshop they plan to attend.
Grad Edge: Leadership Development Cohort Program
The Grad Edge leadership development cohort program provides K-State graduate students an opportunity to develop leadership mindsets and skills to make positive change in their work, studies, student organizations, and professional roles. Through this semester-long experience, participants will work with leadership faculty and cohort peers to dive into challenges that are most important to you.
Applications are now open for the Spring 2027 Grad Edge cohort. Please apply by Friday, December 4, 2026 for full consideration.
This program is based on design principles of shared exploration (learning with others), self-reflection (meaning-making), and application (learning through practice). Through the various program elements, you will identify a relevant leadership challenge and apply concepts of adaptive leadership to find solutions. You will also:
- Examine your leadership mindset
- Identify and leverage your leadership strengths
- Build your capacity to relate to and work with others
- Explore drivers of system change
- Identify opportunities to be a change agent within and beyond the university
K-State graduate students from all disciplines are welcome to apply for the program. We encourage applications from graduate students with any level of leadership experience. Up to 40 K-State graduate students will be selected for participation in the cohort program (see details in the program description).
Option to attend elective workshops and optional programs only
Remember: If you do not have capacity to fulfill requirements of the full program and simply want to participate in some of the elective workshops, you do not need to complete the application. Applicants who are not selected for the Spring 2027 Grad Edge cohort are still encouraged to participate in Leading Change workshops.
If accepted into the Grad Edge cohort, you must attend and participate in the following activities. All workshop times are U.S. Central time. Open to all graduate students to attend.
Two Required Cohort Workshops
Program Kick-Off and Introduction
Friday, February 5, 2027
3:30 - 5:30 pm
Leadership Studies Building 114 (Town Hall)
Program Reflection and Celebration
Friday, April 30, 2027
3:30 - 5:30 pm
Leadership Studies Building 114 (Town Hall)
At Least Three Elective Leading Change Workshops
Each workshop is 90 minutes and will be offered in a hybrid format that allows for in-person and virtual participation. Cohort participants should plan to attend workshops during the scheduled time, unless an exception has been made by the program facilitators. While you are required to attend at least three workshops, you are encouraged to attend them all as your schedule permits.
- Navigating Generative Conflict in Everyday Chaos
- Leading Organizational Culture for Innovation
- Leadership Coaching: Philosophy & Practice
- Leveraging Collective Leadership for Large Systems Change
- Co-Creation as Leadership in Community-Engaged Scholarship
- Boundary-Spanning & Interdisciplinary Thinking
Workshop details coming soon!
Peer Reading Groups: When Everyone Leads
Every Grad Edge participant will receive a free copy of the book, When Everyone Leads: How the Toughest Challenges Get Seen and Solved. You will engage in a facilitated reading group designed to help you make progress on personal or professional challenges. The reading group will meet three times (90 minutes each) in February, March, and April (times will be determined by group members).
Online Community
Grad Edge participants will be part of a Canvas page that serves as a resource and connection point. You will have access to additional readings, videos, and resources. You will be asked to share reflections and participate in virtual discussions to support meaning-making and application of learning.
Engagement with the Graduate School
Grad Edge participants are required to complete at least two hours of engagement with the Graduate School during the Spring 2027 semester. The Graduate School and Graduate Student Council offer a variety of events and activities to support graduate student success.
Optional Developmental Campus Experiences
Participants are encouraged (but not required) to extend and apply their learning through campus and community activities, such as:
- What Matters to Me and Why Speaker Series
- Teaching and Learning Center events
- College and departmental events
Up to 40 K-State graduate students will be selected for participation in the cohort program. Applicants will be notified about selection by December 18, 2026.
In the application form, you will be asked to respond to the following prompts:
- From your perspective, why are leadership skills needed or valued for professionals in your field?
- Share a personal and/or professional goal and describe how you expect the Grad Edge leadership development program will help you achieve your goal(s).
- How do you anticipate this program will impact your ability to exercise leadership in your program, department, lab, organization, or broader communities in which you are engaged?
Leading Change workshop series
Each workshop in the Leading Change workshop series is 90 minutes and will take place between February and April 2027. These workshops are offered in hybrid format to allow for in-person and virtual participation, and participants should plan to be actively engaged in the session.
A list of topics is provided below. Workshop descriptions, details, and registration will be available soon.
- Navigating Generative Conflict in Everyday Chaos
- Leading Organizational Culture for Innovation
- Leadership Coaching: Philosophy & Practice
- Leveraging Collective Leadership for Large Systems Change
- Co-Creation as Leadership in Community-Engaged Scholarship
- Boundary-Spanning & Interdisciplinary Thinking
Interested graduate students will register for each workshop through OrgCentral.
Points of contact
- Direct questions about the Grad Edge cohort program structure and curriculum or questions about the Leading Change workshops to Dr. Mac Benavides, assistant professor, Staley School of Leadership, at mb2008@ksu.edu.
- Direct questions about the Grad Edge cohort program application process to Dr. Megan Miller, assistant director of student success, at mmmiller@ksu.edu or 785-532-6191.