K-State delegation strengthens long-standing partnership with Paraguay
From left: Patrick Winter, Grant Chapman, Rafael Alvarado and Dena Bunnel, all from K-State; and Mirian Mongelos, executive director, and Dr. Fidel Zenteno, president, both from the Paraguay Kansas Committee.
Paraguay may be 5,000 miles away from Manhattan, but Kansas State University has maintained a strong connection with the country for more than 50 years through numerous initiatives and partnerships. Several representatives from K-State recently met with organizations in Paraguay to review existing initiatives and explore avenues for expansion and future joint activities.
The trip opened the door to a reenergized relationship with the Paraguay Kansas Committee, or CPK, which organized the itinerary and facilitated the meetings to create opportunities for Paraguayan students — both undergraduate and graduate — to study at K-State and for K-State students to travel to Paraguay for experiential learning and research experiences.
"Our recent visit to Paraguay is one step forward in our vision to be the next-generation land-grant university, transforming lives in Kansas and worldwide," said Karen Goos, vice provost for enrollment management. "Our partnership with Paraguay reflects K-State's core value of connection, which inspires us to cultivate trust and build relationships between our community and our state, the nation and the world."
K-State's delegation included Rafael Alvarado, assistant director of international recruitment; Patrick Winter, associate vice provost for enrollment management; Grant Chapman, vice provost for international education; and Dena Bunnel, associate director for research and international programs in the College of Agriculture.
K-State representatives participated in productive conversations with the provost of the National University of Asunción, as well as its deans for agrarian sciences and veterinary sciences; the Federation of Production Cooperatives; the BECAL scholarship team; the U.S. Embassy; FECOPROD; ITAIPU Binational; and others. K-State also had a booth at the EducationUSA Fair in Asunción to provide information about attending K-State. An organization within the U.S. State Department, EducationUSA promotes opportunities to study at U.S. higher education institutions to students around the world.
"I think there is a real opportunity to match many of the shared interests between Kansas and Paraguay and turn them into areas of joint benefit," Bunnel said. "Like Kansas, Paraguay is a highly agricultural country, and we have some shared focuses such as beef cattle and soybeans. This could lead to future opportunities like research collaborations, student exchanges, faculty-led study abroad and more."
In 1967, the state of Kansas began to invite Paraguayan students to attend colleges and universities in Kansas for English language studies, as well as undergraduate and graduate programs, while paying in-state tuition. As a result, more than 160 K-State graduates are from Paraguay, according to the K-State Alumni Association's 2023-2024 Annual Report. These professionals have received top-notch training at K-State, enabling them to be leaders across industry and government in Paraguay. This strong alumni network is a strategic advantage in growing K-State's partnership with Paraguay.
Baruc Lombardo, a Paraguayan student majoring in computer engineering at K-State, is experiencing the benefits of this partnership firsthand.
"Here at K-State, it is not just about getting a degree," he said. "It is also about the people and the different experiences that help you call this place your home away from home. K-State has a strong international student community and offers scholarships that truly make a difference. I feel supported and included every step of the way.”
Future plans include a potential Paraguayan delegation visit to K-State in spring 2026 and additional visits by K-State representatives to Paraguay.
"This two-way engagement demonstrates a deep commitment to collaboration," Winter said, "which creates momentum for future academic, cultural and research initiatives between K-State and Paraguayan partners."