1. Kansas State University
  2. »Division of Communications and Marketing
  3. »K-State Today
  4. »College of Arts and Sciences creates new task forces to examine student experiences

K-State Today

February 6, 2019

College of Arts and Sciences creates new task forces to examine student experiences

Submitted by Malorie Wagner

The College of Arts and Sciences has created a series of task forces to examine foundational courses, interdisciplinary majors, the open option program and the learning assistant program to improve the student experience in the college.

The foundational courses task force will be led by Laurie Johnson, professor of political science, and Chris Sorensen, University distinguished professor and university distinguished teaching scholar of physics. The following are members of the task force:

  • Mary Cain, psychological sciences.
  • Douglas Dow, art.
  • Darren Epping, communication studies.
  • Aida Farough, geology.
  • Deborah Goins, instructional designer for the college
  • Abby Jager, statistics.
  • Dan Kuester, economics.
  • Kathy Lilich, advisor in political science and history.
  • Phillip Marzluf, English.
  • Rekha Natarajan, math.
  • Yasmin Patell, chemistry.
  • Scott Tanona, philosophy.
  • Malorie Wagner, communications and marketing specialist for the college.
  • Ruth Welti, biology.

The interdisciplinary majors task force will be led by Michael Wesch, university distinguished teaching scholar in the department of sociology, anthropology, and social work. The following are members of the task force:

  • Gayla Adams-Wright, pre-health advisor.
  • Martha Caldas, biology.
  • Chris Culbertson, chemistry.
  • Shawn Hutchinson, geography.
  • Angelia Perry, open option advisor.
  • Don Saucier, psychological sciences.
  • Ben Ward, College of Business Administration.
  • Naomi Wood, English.

The open option task force will be led by Greg Eiselein, university distinguished teaching scholar in English. The following are members of the task force:

  • Tami Duch, open option advisor.
  • Sarah Howe, advisor in the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
  • Ross Johnson, College of Education.
  • Kerri Keller, director, Career Services.
  • Twambi Kerstetter, open option advisor.
  • Mandi McKinley, K-State First.
  • Rosa Terlazzo, philosophy.
  • RJ Youngblood, assistant director, Academic Achievement Center.

The learning assistant working group will be led by Dean Zollman, university distinguished professor and university distinguished teaching scholar of physics. The following are members of the working group:

  • Christi Launius, gender, women, and sexuality studies department head.
  • J.T. Laverty, physics.
  • Brent Weaver, learning assistant coordinator.

These task forces and working groups aim to closely examine existing College of Arts and Sciences programs and make short-term and long-term recommendations that will foster student success and enhance the student experience.