April 18, 2023
Heidbreder appointed K-State First faculty director beginning Aug. 1
Submitted by Office of Student Success
After an internal search, Brianne Heidbreder, associate professor of political science, has been appointed faculty director of K-State First, effective Aug. 1.
As faculty director, Heidbreder will oversee K-State First programs and staff. K-State First is the home to signature K-State academic experiences, including first-year seminars; learning communities — known as the CAT Communities; the common reading program — K-State First Book; and New Student Convocation. Positioned in the Office of Student Success, K-State First benefits from an ecosystem of programs and colleagues committed to supporting new student transitions.
Heidbreder earned her doctorate in political science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2008. That same year, she joined the political science department at K-State as an assistant professor. In 2013, Heidbreder earned tenure and was promoted to associate professor. She has contributed her leadership to scholarly and service pursuits, most recently serving as director of graduate studies for the department of political science. An outstanding teacher, Heidbreder's excellence in the classroom has garnered several K-State awards, including the 2022 Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, the 2015 Presidential Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, and the 2013 William L. Stamey Teaching Award from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Heidbreder will succeed Professor Greg Eiselein who, after serving 13 years as the faculty director of K-State First, will return to full-time faculty status in the English department. Heidbreder brings to this role a commitment to student learning, a passion for teaching excellence, and an enthusiasm for building on existing strengths to ensure K-State First grows and contributes to K-State becoming the next-generation land-grant university.
Learn more about K-State First by visiting the website.