October 17, 2022
K-State celebrates success of Ford County community visit, prepares for Nov. 2 Kansas City visit
Kansas State University continues traveling the state as part of the new presidential community visit initiative that focuses on the people of Kansas and their communities. The initiative consists of nine community visits throughout the state this academic year.
President Richard Linton and several Connected 'Cats students led a K-State team of faculty, staff and extension professionals who visited Ford County on Sept. 27. The next K-State community visit will be Wednesday, Nov. 2, in the Greater Kansas City area. Check out K-State's Instagram and Facebook stories on Nov. 2 to follow the community visit events throughout the day.
Watch a video that showcases K-State's engagement in Kansas communities.
The Sept. 27 Ford County community visit engaged hundreds of community members throughout the day in events that highlighted community partnerships and K-State Research and Extension relationships.
View photo galleries of the events throughout the Ford County community visit.
Linton and the K-State team participated in an open forum as well as conversations surrounding important topics for the Ford County community, including preparing and supporting the local workforce, the Rattlesnake Creek watershed and preparing for and responding to disasters. A Calling all 'Cats recruitment event occurred in the evening, too.
"It was energizing to spend the day interacting with people who represent a wide array of experiences and organizations in the Ford County and surrounding area," said Joshua Diazdeleon, senior in elementary education, Liberal, and a Connected 'Cats event leader for the Ford County community visit. "As Connected 'Cats, it was exciting to tell our K-State stories and also meet with prospective students and community leaders. K-State truly lives its land-grant mission to support all parts of the state."
"As a graduate of Dodge City High School who also attended Dodge City Community College, it was wonderful to return to my hometown and engage with the community," said Marissa Ramirez Valdez, senior in construction science and management, Dodge City, and a Connected 'Cats event leader for the Ford County community visit. "K-State has always been a great supporter of first-generation students like me, and I appreciated the opportunity to engage in discussions about the workforce and improving educational opportunities in Ford County."
The presidential community visit initiative will continue throughout the academic year. See where K-State has been and where the university is going next.
A communications toolkit is available to help K-Staters share a consistent message about the university's relationships, partnerships and contributions throughout the state of Kansas. The toolkit offers a pathway for any university unit to plug in to the initiative and help share stories of engagement across the state.
Access the communications toolkit on the community visit website. Please be prepared to enter your K-State eID and password to access the information.