New extension and engagement certificates expand professional development opportunities for K-State students
Kansas State University students looking to broaden their knowledge and gain specialized skills will soon have a new opportunity through the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education.
The department is launching new extension and engagement certificates, with enrollment opening in October 2026 and classes beginning in spring 2027. The undergraduate certificate, Extension and Non-Formal Education, and the graduate certificate, Extension and Engagement Certificate, join the department's Agricultural and Occupational Safety and Health Certificate, which launched in 2025, giving students two opportunities to develop specialized skills that complement their degrees and career goals.
The new certificates are designed for students interested in how educational programs, outreach initiatives and community engagement create meaningful change.
Brandie Disberger, associate professor in the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education, said the program helps students understand how knowledge is shared beyond traditional classroom settings and into communities.
“Extension is all about connecting knowledge with people and communities,” Disberger said. “This certificate gives students an opportunity to learn how educational outreach, relationship building and community engagement can create meaningful impact, regardless of their academic discipline or career path.”
For students interested in workplace well-being, risk management and creating safer environments, the Agricultural and Occupational Safety and Health Certificate offers another pathway. Introduced in 2025, the certificate equips students with knowledge of safety culture, hazard awareness and health considerations relevant across industries.
Mitch Ricketts, professor in the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education, said the certificate helps students develop competencies that employers increasingly value as organizations place greater emphasis on employee health, safety and risk reduction.
“Safety and health are not limited to one profession or industry,” Ricketts said. “Whether students are entering agriculture, business, manufacturing, education or public service, understanding how to identify risks and promote well-being can make them stronger professionals and leaders.”
Although the two certificates have distinct areas of focus, both are designed to complement a wide variety of degree programs. Whether students are preparing for careers in agriculture, business, education, communications, human sciences or other fields, the additional credential can help demonstrate specialized knowledge and a commitment to professional development.
Certificate programs also give students opportunities to explore new interests, strengthen career readiness and expand the impact of their degrees.
Students interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education or speak with their academic advisor to explore how either program could complement their degree plan.