Welcoming Wildcats

Like many beginnings, it starts with a “someone.”

A parent told you to give it a try. An advisor thought you might like it and enrolled you in the class. A friend was going and invited you to join them. A student’s word-of-mouth experience sold you instantly.

Or maybe an instructor flagged you down in the Student Union and signed you up on the spot, and though you weren’t 100% sure what LEAD 212 is, their authentic, genuine interest in you and your goals paired with their assurance they would see you in class that fall (spoiler: not only did they, but they even remembered your name!) convinced you this was exactly the right place.

Since 1997, for so many students in the Staley School of Leadership, it started with a person. And today, though we have grown, migrated, and transformed, our ability to adapt to the needs of our students and our present-day demands has not wavered. We are connecting and welcoming Wildcats in a variety of ways, and they all still start with people first.

"In this day and age, human contact is so rich. I remember being a new student and being bombarded with emails and messages, but what really set Staley apart was their dedication to human connection,” said Hannah Moyer, senior in political science and one of the newest Student Recruitment Officers (SROs) at the Staley School.

“I got to meet with a real student, ask my questions, and talk about college. When I came to class in the fall, I felt like I already had a friend. Staley really helped ease my anxiety about coming from out of state by giving me that feeling of belonging.”

Moyer, who is also working on completing her minor in Leadership Studies and a certificate in Primary Texts, is an out-of-state student from Oak Grove, Missouri. She was a Staley School Ambassador and now, in her role as an SRO, has the chance to make a strong impact on incoming students during their campus visits.

In the current campus visit model, guests can choose to meet with the Staley School during their visit. Moyer, or another SRO, meets with them at the Berney Family Welcome Center for a personalized experience. After getting to know the student, their needs and what major they are interested in, the SROs can make tailored recommendations from the wide variety of academics and cocurricular programs at the school.

“When you think of the Staley School, it’s not what, but who you think of,” said Colleen Helmers, assistant director of student services.

The Staley School adapted to several iterations and changes in the K-State campus visit model over the years, ensuring that the people-centered experience the school is known for remains prominent, no matter the platform.

“Our person- and student-centered approach is rooted in strategy. We built a system that works in tandem with who we are and how we do what we do,” said Helmers.

Another major addition to the school’s prospective student experience is a once-per-semester event called Leadership Experience Day. Each semester admitted students in the Manhattan area are invited to attend. The fall event provides a day-in-the-life of a college student, while the spring event focuses on CliftonStrengths and the leadership development journey.

Faculty, staff, Staley School Ambassadors and SROs all provide a personal touch at Leadership Experience Day. Care is taken in planning opportunities to learn the future Wildcats’ names, what matters to them, and how we can best serve their needs. Added benefits of the specialized visit include free lunch, Staley School gear, and the option for a campus visit following their morning at the Leadership Studies Building.

As K-State kicks off New Student Orientation this summer, visiting students will get a taste of ‘Cats Connect, the program that lets Wildcats meet new people through guided question-and-answer cards. The goal, of course, is to help them connect with others, make new friends, and build their community even in the very early stages of coming to campus and Manhattan. We want students to have a “someone” before the fall semester even starts.

The Staley School is built for students who ask bold, curious questions and want their academic experience to help them answer them. Through leadership studies, honors programming, and undergraduate research, we help students pursue challenging work with purpose at the center. And we are ready to help them look inward and discover what they are passionate about.

When you reflect on your beginnings with the Staley School, who do you think about?

Because we bet it started with a “someone.”