People with Purpose: Megan Ronnebaum

Megan Ronnebaum walks past finance, human relations and marketing majors every day — but her work is anything but strictly business.

As a program consultant for the Center for Principled Business within the College of Business Administration, Ronnebaum provides current and prospective students with unmatched learning and leadership experiences, finding her purpose in bringing talented students to K-State and shaping them into business leaders of tomorrow.

Q: What drives you to support students?

Ronnebaum: Seeing students come in with big dreams and watching them work to make those dreams come true is so special.

When students first arrive on campus, all the resources can be intimidating. I enjoy being a sounding board for them, from helping navigate being on their own and deciding what classes to take to thinking through summer opportunities and interviewing for full-time jobs.

Since I'm not here to give them a grade, I think it makes our relationship more relaxed and open. While I may not be in a classroom setting, the opportunities I work to provide students are incredibly important to their growth as learners and human beings.

Q: What was a moment you saw a student's hard work pay off? How did you get to be a part of that story?

Ronnebaum: In 2021, I was hired to help grow the Finance Scholars program alongside the program's founding faculty member. Students must be very driven and disciplined to get their foot in the door in the finance industry — and for a long time, K-State was not a target school for recruiters.

With my assistance, the program focused on increasing networking events and learning trips, connecting with more alumni and companies, and providing students with more resources to build their understanding of investment banking, consulting, private equity and asset management. I was able to see students network and work hard throughout these opportunities, and secure internships and full-time jobs in one of the world's leading financial hubs, New York City. It was impactful for me that those who joined the program flourished thanks to the additional time and attention both the program and the students received.

Q: How does your work transform lives in Kansas and around the world?

Ronnebaum: In my role with the Center for Principled Business, I am a part of projects that impact many communities. These opportunities help set students up for success in their personal and professional lives, and after they graduate, they will be making an impact in the community they choose to live in. I believe that the opportunities we provide students outside a formal classroom setting make them better, more well-rounded people.

Q: What is your leadership style, and how does that contribute to your success in your role?

Ronnebaum: I lean mostly toward democratic leadership, often relying on those I'm working with to provide insight or opinions to help us move forward in the best way. My work with the Center for Principled Business impacts nearly 1,000 high school and college students every year, and I would not be successful without the help of our student team. I do my best to create a healthy workplace and empower them to make the best decisions for the center — setting high expectations but giving grace when things don't go to plan or when they need extra assistance.

I also use an adaptive leadership style, working to shift and evolve as changes happen. Being able to adapt quickly and effectively has helped me ensure that the events and programs I run provide the best possible experience for every attendee. Creating a team through democratic and adaptive leadership has helped me succeed because I trust my team members and I'm able to give them ownership.

Q: If you had to highlight one time when you felt most successful in your role, what would that be and why?

Ronnebaum: It can be daunting being the executor of ideas, but it is also incredibly rewarding. There are many times I've felt successful seeing an idea come to life, but one stand-out example is the college's most recent education abroad trip to Greece. During planning, we found that many faculty-led trips use a third-party to handle logistics and bookings. We wanted to keep costs manageable for our students, so we decided to take the lead on planning.

I had visited Greece before for a conference in Athens, but making bookings for 24 K-Staters was still nerve-wracking, especially in a country with a completely different language and alphabet! Thankfully, the trip went off without a hitch, and the students and our guests had a great time, which is always my goal.

Q: What's a moment you've seen while working at K-State that made you feel proud to be a part of this campus?

Ronnebaum: In 2022, I helped launch our first overnight summer program for high school students at the College of Business Administration, hiring college students to serve as mentors and dorm hosts for the high schoolers. Since it was our first time hosting the program, the students were learning right alongside us. We couldn't have had a better group.

After a busy three days, I should have been exhausted, but I was invigorated by the excitement of the high school students and how well our Wildcats represented the college and K-State. Seeing the students I worked with actively make a positive impact on the lives of younger kids was a great moment, and it makes me excited for the future.

###