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!

Kick-start your fitness journey

From May 5-29, K-State Recreational Services is offering trial fitness classes exclusively for faculty and staff. Non-member employees can take advantage of free trial passes. Stop by the front desk at the Rec Complex before your workout.

Schedule for trial fitness classes:

Body Strength, noon-12:45 p.m. on Tuesdays in Studio 2.
Zumba, noon-12:45 p.m. on Wednesdays in Studio 2.
Yoga, 5:30-6:15 p.m. on Thursdays in Studio 1.

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re excited to offer a series of insightful webinars designed to support faculty and staff. View descriptions to upcoming sessions and register to attend.

Balancing Work and Life

Register to attend
May 27, 10 a.m.

Using the philosophy that “those who are happy at home perform better on the job,” this workshop was developed for those who feel burdened with too many responsibilities and without enough time for personal enjoyment. This workshop will help participants explore and define home responsibilities, identify career requirements and prioritize leisure time. The resulting better balance will help achieve more in one’s career and at home.

Navigating Change Together

Register to attend
May 28, 10 a.m.

K-State recognizes that some individuals may be experiencing feelings of uncertainty during this time of federal transitioning. To support faculty, staff and graduate students, Human Resources is offering a virtual Employee Assistance Program, or EAP, training session to teach participants how to process these changes themselves and to equip them with the tools and strategies to cope in a healthy way. This training session provides a safe, judgment-free space for open discussion, guidance and support.

Managing Worry And Anxiety

Register to attend
May 28, 2 p.m.

Worries are thoughts we have about the future that generate fear. They arrive in the form of a “what if?” and generate dire warnings about terrible consequences that await us. Unfortunately, these warnings we give ourselves are generally overblown and focused on hypothetical problems that probably won’t happen. Chronic worry that begins to impact the quality of life becomes “anxiety” and well-intended suggestions to “stop worrying” or applying common stress management techniques are mostly ineffective. This training will address how worry habits develop and methods of intervening with worry and anxiety.

Happiness: A Key to Life’s Satisfaction

Register to attend
May 29, 10 a.m.

Why do some people seem happy, and others just seem miserable all the time? Science suggests that each person has a range in their capacity to experience happiness and that range is different for each person. However, it is possible to live our lives in the upper end of that range if we apply ourselves and follow certain principles. There is no one key to happiness but a set of principles that are critical to follow. This training incorporates a brief happiness questionnaire, a description of the various factors associated with happiness and concludes with a substantive discussion of specific ways to increase your happiness potential.

Employee Wellness