Regional community visits

The university for the people of Kansas

As the nation's first operational land-grant university, we care deeply about Kansans and their communities. And there is no better way for Kansas State University to demonstrate our commitment to Kansans than through intentional visits across our state.

K-State - The university for Kansans

Visit schedule

During academic year 2022-2023, we visited nine communities throughout the state of Kansas to listen and learn from the people who live there.

See the communities we visited.

Fostering connections and building relationships

K-State's regional community visits will help to shape K-State's new strategic plan to become a next-generation land-grant university. These regional community visits will serve as an important first step in how K-State engages Kansans through this planning process and how the university listens to communities throughout the state about the future of K-State.

Why we are embarking on this initiative

The initiative consists of nine regional community visits throughout the academic year that:

Establish a consistent opportunity for engaging with, listening to and learning from Kansans directly within the communities they call home.
Recognize and reaffirm the strong relationships K-State holds with Kansas communities through our K-State Research and Extension network, industry partnerships, community. engagement/volunteerism, and educational partnerships
Strengthen and create new relationships that support Kansas citizens.
Celebrate our alumni who contribute to Kansas communities, as the K-State graduates who power our state's workforce are integral in building a stronger future for Kansas.
Empower K-State students from your region to share their K-State experience and how they will take what they have learned to make the world a better place.
Heighten awareness for and access to the educational and experiential opportunities K-State offers to the next-generation of difference-makers.

What community members can expect

When K-State visits your community, you can expect:

A community open forum where you can learn how K-State supports local Kansas communities and share your ideas for how to strengthen the university’s impact specifically in your area.
Listening/Learning sessions with community leaders designed to facilitate critical dialogue to build solutions for Kansans.
Visits with local partnerships and initiatives, celebrating the incredible work Kansans do every day.
A future student information session that lets you hear directly from students about K-State and provides access to our admissions and financial aid experts, helping you take the next step in your education journey whether you’re 18 or 85.

News and updates

Read news and communications related to the initiative.

About the initiative

Watch a video that showcases how K-State's engagement in Kansas communities combines with our top-notch student experience to drive the workforce of tomorrow for Kansas.

Core project team

The project team includes individuals from the offices of the President, Provost, Enrollment Management and Engagement; K-State Research and Extension; the Mary Lynn and Warren Staley School of Leadership; the Division of Student Life; the Division of Communications and Marketing; and Student Governing Association. Together, this team is creating the roadmap for K-State's regional community visits, as well as a framework for empowering all across the institution to continue K-State's legacy of incredible service to the state.

View the core project team members

Gregg Hadley, director, Cooperative Extension, co-team leader.
Tim Steffensmeier, director, Office of Engagement, co-team leader.
Emily Lehning, special assistant, offices of the president and provost, project manager.
Lynn Carlin, special assistant to the provost.
Mirta Chavez, interim associate vice president, Diversity and Multicultural Student Affairs.
Jeff Ebeck, senior and vice president, Student Governing Association.
Karen Goos, vice provost for enrollment management.
Ashley Martin, interim vice president, Communications and Marketing.
Chuck Taber, provost and executive vice president.
Jennifer Tidball, public information officer, Communications and Marketing.
Mary Tolar, dean, Staley School of Leadership.
Mirna Bonilla Salazar, program manager, Office of Engagement.