September 22, 2023
Ritter and Wolfgang accepted into Emerging Leaders Network program
Human Resources staff members Marci Ritter, compensation and organizational effectiveness manager, and Kati Wolfgang, benefits director, have been accepted into TIAA's Emerging Leaders Network program.
The Emerging Leaders Network, or ELN, provides leadership development opportunities through training and interaction with peers in several areas of human resources from similar institutions and covers a broad range of topics, including understanding the world of higher education and human resources, deepening understanding of human resources technical topics and growing leadership skills.
"I am so honored to be chosen for this opportunity,” Ritter said. “I am excited to further develop leadership skills and gain a more in-depth understanding of human resources in order to apply those concepts in my work at K-State. I also look forward to building relationships with peers from similar institutions, creating a network of resources to draw from as we tackle future compensation and organizational projects.”
Ritter and Wolfgang were selected from a field of more than 75 applicants for the fifth ELN program and will have multiple opportunities to form relationships, deepen their human resources knowledge, and reflect upon and build their leadership skills among human resources professionals from a variety of institutions.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and deeply appreciative of the incredible opportunity to be a part of this program," Wolfgang said. "The chance to connect and build relationships with HR professionals from all across the country is truly invaluable, and I can’t wait to learn, grow and collaborate with this amazing cohort."
In addition to being a K-State graduate, Ritter has 22 years of experience at the institution, working with staff, faculty and administration across the university. Joining HR in 2022 as the compensation and organizational effectiveness manager, she has worked to streamline processes and build strong customer service standards to better serve university constituents. She is invigorated by future HR projects that lie ahead that will better support the university workforce.
Wolfgang graduated from K-State with a bachelor's degree in human resource management and a minor in Spanish. She joined the university in early 2023 as director of benefits after spending 15 years in HR in K-12 education. Wolfgang possesses a genuine and unwavering passion for assisting employees in navigating their benefits and retirement options. She is dedicated to ensuring that individuals have the information and guidance they need to make informed decisions about their future.
TIAA is one of two mandatory retirement plan providers at Kansas State University. The Emerging Leaders Network program began in 2015, and the fifth cohort will begin this winter.