Cultivating a culture of well-being

willie wildcat riding a bicycle with his arms raised

K-State is defining its future as a next-generation land-grant institution and establishing itself as a positive force in Kansas and the world. It starts by investing in the dedicated faculty and staff who make our goals possible.

K-State is proud to be the first university in Kansas to formally adopt the Okanagan Charter, which calls on post-secondary schools to embed health into all aspects of campus culture and to lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally. Together with our next-gen strategic plan, we have the foundation needed to build a culture of well-being that lasts.

We're on a mission to become an employer of choice in Kansas and higher education. HR's Wellness team provides initiatives, programs and opportunities for employees to prioritize their physical, emotional, social and financial well-being. Wellness is about empowering ourselves and our community to create a K-State that's always people-centered. Whether you're ready to recharge, refocus, reconnect or just hit pause — let's realize our full potential together!

Prioritize health this summer

This month, we highlight the importance of brain health and cognitive well-being. It's Alzheimer's, Brain Health Awareness and Men's Health Month! Ready to prioritize your health this summer?

Consider registering for an upcoming mental health webinar to optimize your brain power.
Take a closer look at ComPsych resources (pdf) addressing men's health and well-being.
A Skin Cancer Screening Clinic (pdf) will be available at Lafene Health Center to support proactive care for UV Safety Month this July.

Mind your brain power

Reading for fulfillment

Register to attend:
July 8, 10 a.m.

Register to attend:
July 10, 2 p.m.

Twenty-five percent of American adults haven’t read a book in the last 12 months. But we read constantly out of necessity: the news, social media, texts, work emails and homework. Some of us may also read for pleasure. Maybe we want to learn more about subjects that interest us, like biographies and histories, or we might enjoy the pure fun of a good mystery or a thriller. There are benefits to reading beyond information and enjoyment. What are they, and how can we get them? This session will look at how reading, learning and imagining can help us strengthen our brains. We’ll see how reading fiction can improve our social skills. We’ll review how losing ourselves in a book that we love can reduce our stress. Some of us may even sleep better by reading a good page-turner

Mental fitness for optimal brain power

Register to attend
July 8, 2 p.m.

Register to attend
July 10, 10 a.m.

For a long time, the scientific community believed we were born with a certain number of brain cells and neural pathways and that, once damaged, they could not be repaired. In reality, our brains are much more flexible. Depending on our lifestyle, we can weaken or destroy connections or create new, stronger ones. Engaging regularly in certain behaviors and activities, like physical exercise, addressing mental health issues, meditation, and learning a new language or musical instrument, supports new wiring and can make existing pathways stronger. Essentially, we can slow down or somewhat prevent cognitive decline by doing challenging mental exercises to keep our brains fit for optimal power.

Summer self-care

Summer is the perfect season to get moving on self-care goals. K-State and our surrounding communities offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the
warm weather, engage with your neighbors and start new healthy habits!