Meet Our Exploratory Advising Team
The Exploratory Advising Team at Kansas State supports students who are exploring majors, transitioning between programs, or navigating academic decisions. Our advisors provide personalized guidance to help students choose strategic courses, engage in hands-on learning, and confidently explore their academic and career options.
Olivia Miller
Exploratory Studies Advisor
Olivia works with students transitioning into and out of the College of Arts & Sciences and the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
Contact Information
Email address: orm0708@k-state.edu
About Olivia
Undergrad major: Political Science
Number of times you changed your major: 0 (but dropped my German minor twice and changed graduate programs)
Career choice as a child: Teacher
Piece of advice to students: "College is all about learning and isn't limited to in the classroom or your textbooks."
Stephanie Rose
Exploratory Studies Advisor
Stephanie works with students transitioning into and out of the College of Architecture, Planning, & Design and the College of Business Administration.
Contact Information
Email address: stephrose@k-state.edu
About Stephanie
Undergrad major: Marketing
Number of times you changed your major: 3
Career choice as a child: Designer
Piece of advice to students: "I failed finance the first time and was nervous about public speaking but giving myself time (and taking a few things in the summer) made all the difference. College is about finding what works for you."
Kayleigh Smith
Exploratory Studies Advisor
Kayleigh works with students transitioning into and out of Exploratory Studies, the College of Education, the College of Health & Human Sciences, and f the College of Agriculture.
Contact Information
Email address: kayleighs@k-state.edu
About Kayleigh
Undergrad major: Psychology
Number of times you changed your major: 0, but added a minor
Career choice as a child: Youth and Adolescence Gymnastics Coach
Piece of advice to students: "You can't make a superstar in one hour, it takes time, practice, and dedication."
Beth Stuewe
Exploratory Studies Advisor
Beth works with students transitioning into and out of Exploratory Studies Online.
Contact Information
Email address: bas9995@k-state.edu
About Beth
Undergrad major: Animal Sciences and Industry
Number of times you changed your major: Zero- although I really didn’t know what I was going to do with the degree I was in.
Career choice as a child: When I was younger I wanted to be a veterinarian, but quickly decided in college that science wasn’t a forte of mine so vet school was not an option.
Piece of advice to students: "Don’t be afraid to explore. If you have interests other than your current major, take a class to see what it is like or gain experience in that field to see if it aligns with your ideas."
Get to Know Our Exploratory Peer Advisors
Strengths: Learner, Command, Arranger, Relator, Activator
Bio: I'm a senior from Overland Park, KS currently studying Biology on the Pre-PA track. I came into college originally studying Statistics and have changed my major quite a few times and added and removed minors and certificates too often to count.
Bio: I am a Junior from Bogota, Colombia studying Computer Science & Cybersecurity. I have only changed my major once, from Computer Science to a focus in cybersecurity after my sophomore year, in order to focus more on the security aspect of computer science.
Bio: I'm a Junior from Shawnee, KS currently studying Human Resources Management with a minor in Communications. I came into college originally open option, and through the EDCEP course that is offered by the Career Center, I soon discovered my interest and love for HR.
Meet Our Pre-Professional & Exploratory Staff
Each staff member listed below plays a unique role in supporting our office and pre-professional students. Review the table to learn who to contact based on your needs, and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Jared Meitler
Director
Contact Information
Email address: jmeitler@k-state.edu
About Jared
Undergrad major: General Human Ecology
Number of times you changed your major: 6
Career choice as a child: Professional Baseball Player
Janae Mooty
Assistant Director/Health Professions Advisor
Contact Information
Email address: jmooty@k-state.edu
About Janae
Undergrad major: Biology
Number of times you changed your major: 0, but changed my career path multiple times!
Career choice as a child: Large Animal Veterinarian
Piece of advice to students: "Be open to new and different opportunities as you explore interests. You just might discover something about yourself you never thought possible!"
Amanda Reichenberger
Recruitment Coordinator
Contact Information
Email address: areich@k-state.edu
About Amanda
Undergrad major: Communication Studies
Number of times you changed your major: 1
Career choice as a child: Anesthesiologist
Piece of advice to students: "Find people doing the work you say you’re interested in… and ask them what they love/hate about their job and how they got to this position (career path) and take advantage of any opportunity to shadow."
Ashley Whaley
Academic Program Specialist
Contact Information
Email address: ashleywhaley@k-state.edu
About Ashley
Undergrad major(s): English, Philosophy, and Communications
Number of times you changed your major: I didn’t receive much guidance from my academic advisor, so I wasn’t aware that changing my major was an option — I just kept adding new ones instead!
Career choice as a child: Literature Teacher
Piece of advice to students: "Give yourself permission to grow and change. That’s what this time is for."
Pre-Professional and Exploratory Advising Center
114 Berney Family Welcome Center
705 N. MLK Jr. Dr.
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-3371
ppac@k-state.edu
Drop-In Exploratory Advising Hours:
- Connect with one of our Peer Advisors
- 9:00AM-4:00PM (Monday-Friday)
- Advising availability by appointment only during breaks
Students should enter through the North side of the building (closest to the Union) and check-in at the Career Center desk for drop-in advising!