Co-Curricular Event Resources

One of these events should connect to the K-State First Book (KSFB) common book of the year. Often KSFB will bring the author and provide a large campus-wide event for all of our classes, but there are also typically a series of engaging faculty/staff lectures and other exciting events related to the book that could be used as well.

One of these events should focus on broader student/community perspectives and experiences, which emphasizes fostering a rich understanding of indentities, preparing students to collaborate effectively with their peers at the university and colleagues in their future careers. This will play a significant role in enhancing students' cultural competency skills and encouraging participation in the valuable learning initiatives throughout the university. Depending on the selected common book for the year, that event could also align with this focus.

We also recommend that one event have a more specific focus on building the community within your class. Hiking the Konza, escape room puzzling, Challenge Course adventures, attending athletic events, or even something simple like a bowling night gives students the chance to get to know each other better and build up their communication and collaboration skills.

K-State First is typically able to fund one co-curricular event per class at about $10 per student. This funding is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Many events on campus are free and sometimes offered virtually. If you do plan on taking your class to an event that costs money, you will need to fill out our Co-Curricular Event Funding Form at the beginning of the semester. Also, please keep in mind that food is not an allowable expense.

K-State First is often able to leverage our campus and community connections to find discounts, free admission opportunities, and expedite reservations. We will need at least two weeks notice before the event as this will allow us to do things like buy a packet of tickets for an event, reserve a van for travel, or schedule a tour or visit at a facility.

To make sure the majority of your students are able to attend all three events and to provide us the necessary time for scheduling and reservations, we recommend that you plan your co-curricular events as you prep your course and include them in your syllabus and schedule. This gives your students the chance to get the events scheduled into their calendars right away at the beginning of the semester.

If individual students have a time conflict, you can work together to plan a make-up activity with them.

On our Co-Curricular Guide above you will find a list of events that have already been scheduled that you can use to easily incorporate into your existing syllabus and schedule.

We also recommend that you create an assignment for these and make them worth points to attend as part of your students' participation grades to encourage attendance.

One of the most powerful learning components of the co-curricular events happens when students are given the opportunity to reflect on the experience together. You can create an assignment with 3-4 reflection questions to gauge the impact on each student individually, and also set aside some class time to discuss their thoughts about the event and connect it more fully to your class outcomes and goals. This integration of the co-curricular event outcomes will help students build a bridge between their academics and lived experiences.

Some example reflection questions are below:

• What is a comment or point that resonated with you during the event? Tell us more...
• One prominent theme of the event was ____________. What does this mean to you?
• How did the event help you to understand yourself or your peers more fully?

If you are interested in introducing various campus resources to your students but already have planned your three cocurricular outside of the classroom events, you might consider reaching out to incorporate an in-class presentation. The following offices and programs provide various workshops, trainings, and informational sessions.

Academic Achievement Center

Looking for a presentation or workshop on student success resources? Request a presenter to cover K-State specific resources as well as academic and life skills information.

Career Center

Your requests for a Career Center presentation should be made at least 2 weeks before your preferred program date. Staff availability is limited for presentations after typical business hours and is best arranged at least a month prior to your requested date. Request a speaker for career-related topics. Career Readiness Curriculum includes the following topics:

• Career Center Overview
• Resumes
• Interviewing
• Salary Negotiation
• Economy/Industry Research
• Other topics may be available by special request but depend on staff availability

Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education (CARE)

The CARE advocates offer a variety of interactive training options designed to engage audiences and offer insight about best-practices from the advocates extensive experience working with survivors of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual harassment. If you would like to have someone from CARE give a presentation, facilitate a discussion, or provide prevention education materials, please ksucare@ksu.edu. For preparation and planning purposes, please make your request at least two weeks in advance.

Center for Student Involvement (CSI)

The CSI provides opportunities for students to get connected, engaged, and involved on campus. First-year students may especially be interested in the Cat Trax program, which serves as a roadmap to experiences every K-State student should have, such as joining a student organization, attending campus events and activities, participating in K-State traditions, and much more! Contact the CSI to schedule a presentation about student involvement resources, programs and opportunities!

Education Abroad

The Education Abroad Office can customize classroom presentations based on your available time and needs. Presentations can be short 10 minute overviews about study abroad, information about programs for specific majors or fields of study, Q&A sessions with study abroad returnees, or they can be longer presentations by study abroad peer advisors or members of their staff. Complete the information form here or email overseas@ksu.edu to request a classroom presentation.

Morrison Family Center for Student Well-Being

Actionable and relevant workshops help students actively participate in their well-being journey, and encourage K-State students to make well-informed decisions regarding their health and well-being. Request a presentation on their website.

Office of Institutional Equity

The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) is engaged in coordinating K-State’s compliance with laws, regulations, executive orders and other applicable polices that uphold our guiding principles. OIE also serves as a resource for the University. Visit the website for upcoming events and resources for you and your students.

Powercat Financial

Peer financial counselors can provide any student group a financial presentation. Request a presentation online. Some of the topics include:

• Creating a spending or savings plan
• How to build good credit
• Understanding student loan repayment, consolidation and refinancing
• Personal financial management overview
• Transitioning into work and understanding benefits

Writing Center

Faculty and staff are integral to the goal of improving student writing. If you would like a short presentation about the Writing Center in your class, or if you would like for them to facilitate a writing workshop, please fill out the Qualtrics outreach form.

Below are events that are sponsored or promoted by K-State First and K-State First Book. Be sure to check our K-State First events calendar and the University Calendar periodically for updated information and other upcoming options that might work for your class! Students can also find the events on OrgCentral as well.

Download the full list of upcoming events for Together using either our Events Flyer or Events List to share with your students and colleagues!

K-State First and K-State First Book Signature/Sponsored Events:

New Student Convocation

Your K-State Journey Starts Here - this year’s convocation we will hear from many speakers, who will share a voice of a community that is focused on belonging and student success.

Sunday, August 24, 5:00 pm

Bramlage Coliseum

International Student Block Party

The K-State Alumni Association invites the Wildcat community to the International Block Party! The party will feature music and free food while supplies last. Food trucks featuring cuisines from around the globe will be served, including Halal-friendly foods. Sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association, K-State Union Programming Council, Dow Center for Multicultural and Community Studies at K-State Libraries and Week of Welcome.

Friday, August 29, 2025, 7-10pm

Location: Bosco Student Plaza, K-State Student Union

Together: The Joyful and Unexpected

Five panelists will share their experiences of collaboration on multi-disciplinary projects, both professional and personal revelations, and take questions from the audience. This APDPro event open to all K-Staters. Sponsored by the College of Architecture, Planning, and Design.

Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 5:30-6:30pm

Location: Regnier Forum (Seaton-Regnier Hall) with concurrent Zoom streaming

Board Game Night

Join friends old and new to play games both old and new!

Monday, September 8, 2025, 6-8 pm

Location: Hale Library

K-State MANRRS and Together

Join the K-State Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) Chapter as we dive into a conversation about the book “Together.” Panel discussion led by Max Contreras, President of MANRRS. Register for the meeting. Sponsored by MANRRS. Part of the Fall 2025 K-State MANRRS Week.

Thursday, September 18, 2025, 11:30am-12:30pm

Location: Zoom

Connecting for Health: Tackling the Effects of Loneliness

A virtual presentation for the K-State community about physical and mental health and loneliness. Sponsored by Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being in partnership with the Teaching and Learning Center’s Professional Development Series. Visit the website for more information and to register.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 12:00-12:50pm

Location: Zoom

Better Together: Building Community One Story at a Time

Join us for an engaging discussion where students, staff, and faculty come together to share their favorite moments from our 2025 common read, Together, and explore how we can combat loneliness through meaningful connections.

Drawing from Dr. Vivek Murthy’s powerful insights on community and belonging, this interactive event creates space for authentic conversation about the challenges many college students face—from social isolation to academic stress—while celebrating our fundamental need for connection. Through sharing stories and perspectives from the common read, we’ll discover practical ways to build stronger relationships, support one another, and create a campus community we all might thrive in.

Whether you’re looking to meet new people, deepen existing friendships, or simply engage in thoughtful dialogue about wellness and belonging, this event offers a welcoming environment to connect and learn. Come ready to listen, share, and be part of building the supportive community that makes us all better together.

Wednesday, November 5, 6:30-8:30 pm

K-State Student Union

Registration Required - free and open to campus and community

A Panel Discussion of the Human-Animal Bond as an Additional Connection to Alleviate a Lonely World

A panel of veterinary medical and animal welfare experts will interact with the audience and discuss the Human-Animal bond and its ability to enhance or even substitute for Human-Human interactions in a sometimes lonely world. Sponsored by the College of Vet Med.

Thursday, November 20, 2025, 12:00-1:00pm

Location: Behringer-Ingelheim Auditorium (enter behind the flagpoles and statues between Trotter and Mosier Halls)

Community Safety Talk: Social Health

The Community Safety Talks series aims to promote a safe environment for everyone. Held in Hale Library, these brief sessions feature campus safety experts who share practical tips, resources and updates on emergency procedures and personal safety. This workshop will explore the effects of loneliness and the decrease in social engagement. Sponsored by K-State Libraries and Housing and Dining.

Wednesday, December 3, 2025, 2:00-3:00pm

Location: 181 Hale Library

Ongoing Events:

The 2025 Common Work of Art

Location: Beach Museum

Painter Carol Pylant’s “No Masters” is on display starting September 11, 2025. Pylant has stated that her goal was to explore human dynamics in an intimate setting. Inspired by the light and composition of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, the work asks viewers to consider “the psychology of the place and the relationship between the individuals.” Sponsored by the Beach Museum. More information at the Beach website.

Episodes of the student-led podcast WellCAT 101

Location: WellCAT 101 is available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube. Four episodes, 30-60 mins each, sponsored by the Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being. By shedding light on how loneliness affects K-State students, the podcast episodes aim to raise awareness, offer comfort, and provide resources for its audience.

Episode 5 “Where Do I Belong in a Residence Hall?”

Assistant Director of Academic Success and Community Development Aisha Lee, along with Assistant Coordinators for Departmental Initiatives (ACDIs) Fernanda Martinez and Rosalie Oliver, and student host Belle Chavey discuss topics relating to what loneliness looks like on K-State’s campus, particularly in residence halls, and how that can impact mental and physical health.

Episode 6 “On Campus Connection: Finding Belonging Far from Home”

Director of Student Engagement and Belonging, Kevin Santos Flores, and student host Belle Chavey discuss topics relating to student belonging, how to find your community, and how to find community as a first-generation student at a university.

Episode 7 “Can You Feel Lonely In a Crowded Room? The Effects of Loneliness on Mental Health”

Karan Bhatia, a therapist with the Lafene Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff, and student host Belle Chavey discuss the mental health perspective of chronic loneliness. They delve into topics relating to the emotional/psychological effects of chronic loneliness, how loneliness impacts mental health issues like anxiety, and when/how to seek support.

Episode 8 “Does Loneliness Impact Physical Health?”

Dr. Michael Campbell, Medical Director at Lafene Health Center, and student host Belle Chavey discuss the physical health perspective of chronic loneliness. Although loneliness and physical health may seem like they have very little to do with each other, this episode delves into topics including how loneliness and physical health impact each other, how chronic loneliness affects the body, and how a sense of community can improve our physical wellbeing.