Supporting the people who power K-State
K-State’s faculty and staff are the foundation of our teaching, research, and engagement mission. As we look toward 2030, we are investing in a stronger, more supported, and more connected workforce to meet the needs of a growing university.
We will...
- be an employer of choice in Kansas and higher education with 100% of K-State faculty and staff paid within the appropriate market-aligned pay ranges.
- exceed $3.5 million intellectual property licensing and commercialization revenue to advance innovation.
#3
Best Employers in Kansas
Forbes, 2025
#3
Best Employers for Women
Forbes, 2025
#1
Best professors in Kansas
Princeton Review, 2026
Top 100
Best Employers for new grads
Forbes, 2026
Key focus areas
We are strengthening compensation structures to remain competitive and transparent and recognizing the full scope of faculty and staff contributions.
Ongoing efforts:
- Compensation and classification study for faculty, staff and graduate students
- Faculty Awards are available to recognize excellence, leadership and service
- Purple Praise highlight notable professional and student achievements from outside the university
- Employee Recognition awards recognize staff who exemplify excellence in the workplace
We are creating clearer, more accessible pathways for advancement. This includes modernizing promotion and tenure processes, strengthening staff career ladders, and enhancing support for graduate students.
Ongoing efforts:
- Coffman Leadership Institute to refresh and enhance leadership skills and knowledge
- Career architecture framework to facilitate career growth and advancement
- Leadership development to build leadership capacities and strengths among our faculty and staff
We are improving the day-to-day experience of working at K-State by investing in well-being resources and fostering a more supportive workplace environment.
Ongoing efforts:
- Embedding health and well-being into everything we do
- Faculty and Staff Well-being initiatives to build a culture of well-being
We are reducing administrative burden by standardizing processes, and streamlining systems that lead us to operational excellence.
Ongoing efforts:
- University-wide performance management system
- Modernized time and leave system
- Streamlined travel and expense tools
- Implemented Operational Excellence Structural Framework
- Procurement initiative to streamline purchasing, contracting and payment activities
- Campus Master Plan shapes the physical environment to strengthen the campus core
We have committed more than $18 million to the One K-State Fund to advance the innovative ideas of faculty and staff who are accelerating our strategic priorities and driving changes in the way we work together as One K-State.
Pursuing operational excellence as One K-State
Working efficiently, effectively and collaboratively to support one another in everything we do.