Cargill invests in program to accelerate inclusive leadership development at Kansas State University
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017
MANHATTAN — Cargill, a global agriculture, food and nutrition company, has given Kansas State University more than $600,000 in continued support of Project IMPACT and development of the Cargill Leadership Acceleration Program.
As an original and ongoing Project IMPACT contributor, Cargill's partnership supports the university's recruitment and retention of multicultural students with interests in agriculture, business and engineering. Project IMPACT serves 170 scholars from their freshman through senior years with a focus on leadership development. Cargill's investment also includes resources toward recruitment programs that support historically underrepresented students with mentoring and scholarships.
"Working together with Cargill, we have accomplished a great deal," said K-State President Richard Myers. "Together, we have increased multicultural student enrollment by 82 percent in targeted programs. K-State's commitment to growing the cultural diversity on campus and expertise in agriculture, engineering and business aligns with Cargill's values as they address the challenge to sustainably nourish a growing population."
The latest Cargill gift also will advance the Staley School of Leadership Studies' development of the Cargill Leadership Acceleration Program, known as Cargill LAP. This program will create a supportive environment to increase the school's capacity to prepare and empower students across the university to exercise leadership in their communities and global workplaces. Cargill LAP participants will practice leadership skills necessary to work confidently, cross-culturally and in an era of complex and continual change.
"Cargill's partnership increases the Staley School of Leadership Studies' capacity to fulfill our mission of developing knowledgeable, ethical, caring, inclusive leaders for a diverse and changing world," said Mary Tolar, the Mary Lynn and Warren Staley chair for leadership and director of the Staley School. "The Cargill Leadership Acceleration Program creates a common thread to link the Staley School's activities across the university and increases our capacity to prepare students as workplace and community leaders."
Support for the Cargill College-for-a-Day, Summer Bridge and Relationship Recruiting programs will continue with this gift and ensure students in grades seven to 12 and incoming freshmen from across Kansas will have the opportunity to experience a college campus and envision their educational future beyond high school.
"K-State is partnering with Cargill to develop the next generation of agriculture, food and nutrition leaders," said Chuck Warta, president at Cargill Premix and Nutrition. "Our partnership builds a better future for students and helps build a pipeline of innovators who will help nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way."
Because of the Cargill Project IMPACT scholarships, more undergraduate students in the university's colleges of Agriculture, Business Administration and Engineering will have greater opportunity to attend K-State as the awards are both need- and merit-based. With Cargill's investment, Kansas State University promotes inclusion and diversity within the student body to offer transformational experiences that prepare graduates to lead in their industries and across cultures.
"The project IMPACT Kompass program is very instrumental in the academic and retention success for our scholars," said Zelia Wiley, assistant dean, diversity programs, College of Agriculture. "We thank our corporate partners for investing in our diversity efforts for a better tomorrow."
Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, the company helps people thrive by applying its insights and 150 years of experience. Cargill has 150,000 employees in 70 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where it operates. For more information, visit Cargill.com.
Philanthropic contributions to Kansas State University are coordinated by the Kansas State University Foundation. The foundation is leading Innovation and Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas State University to raise $1.4 billion for student success, faculty development, facility enhancement and programmatic success.
