Social Media Week
Each Spring, Kansas State University hosts K-State Social Media Week, bringing together students, educators, and industry professionals to provide insights and opportunities for maximizing the power of social media.
This event is planned and organized by the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication and the K-State Division of Academic Success and Student Affairs.
2024 Event Details
The 3rd annual K-State Social Media Week is March 4 - 8, 2024. Events will be offered in a variety of formats, including in-person, online, and hybrid. All students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members are invited to attend events.
Register to attend individual events in K-State OrgCentral. Students who attend Social Media Week events have the opportunity to earn one of two $500 scholarships.
View our 2024 Schedule and Register to Attend Individual Events:
The Social Blueprint: Crafting Your Career in Social Media
Time/Location: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Central Standard Time)
In person at the K-State Alumni Center (Banquet Room C) and online via zoom. Register to attend and/or receive a zoom link.
Details: TikTok Team Lead - Brand Partnerships Manager and K-State Alumnus Cameron Banning will host a roundtable of social media strategists, content creators, and digital marketing experts as they talk about their experiences in the dynamic world of professional social media. In an era where social media platforms play a pivotal role in shaping public narratives and building communities, understanding the intricacies of working in social media is more crucial than ever. This event offers a unique opportunity to delve into the nuances of an ever-evolving landscape.
Hosted by the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication
Roundtable Speakers:
Unraveling AI Influence on Social Media Platforms (Panel Discussion)
Time/Location: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. (Central Standard Time) in the K-State Union Forum Hall and online via zoom.
Presented by: Huck Boyd National Center for Community Media and K-State Department of Computer Science
Register to attend and/or receive a zoom link.
Detail: This event brings together experts and researchers at the intersection of artificial intelligence and social media to explore the profound impact of AI on the way we connect, communicate, and consume content online.
The panel discussion is moderated by Jimmy Standaert, Chief Innovation Officer - Emerging Technologies, AI/ML/RPA & Prescriptive Insights at RiGi Group, Technical Advisor for Trussi AI and K-State Salina Technical Advisory Board Member - Machine Learning, AI & Autonomous Systems.
Panelists:
- Dr. Lindsey Jarrett - VP of Ethical AI Services at The Center for Practical Bioethics
- Lyndsay Noble - Senior Principal - Analytics at Slalom, a global business and technology consulting company
- Derick Manlapeg - Co-Founder, CEO at ChatNexus
- Richard Neal - Co-Founder at Lelex Prime
- Michael Lindquist - VP of FUEL (Digital Content Creators and Platform Specialists) at Barkley
- Eric Pfeifer - Executive Director of Innovation: Digital Product at VML
- Dr. Eugene Vasserman - Associate Professor of Computer Science, Kansas State University, Director of the Center for Cybersecurity and Trustworthy Systems
- Dr. Todd R. Vogts - Assistant Professor of Media, Department Co-Chair at Sterling College, Chief Technology Officer at the Institute for Representation in Society and Media
- Dr. Sam Mwangi - Professor of Media and Communication, Kansas State University, Director of the Huck Boyd National Center for Community Media
Social Media for Inclusion & Belonging (Panel Discussion)
Time/Location: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (Central Standard Time) in the Hemisphere Room in Hale Library (room 581) and online via zoom.
Presented by: K-State Libraries
Register to attend and/or receive a zoom link.
Detail: Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the transformative power of social media in fostering inclusion and cultivating a sense of belonging within diverse communities. In an era where social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, this panel will delve into how these virtual spaces can be harnessed to break down barriers, amplify marginalized voices, and build connections that transcend geographical boundaries. We'll explore innovative strategies, success stories, and emerging trends that contribute to building inclusive online spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
The panel discussion is moderated by K-State Libraries Associate Professor Daniel Ireton.
Panelists:
- Dr. Sean Eddington - Assistant Professor, Associate Director for Graduate Programs and Research in the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication at K-State
- Dr. Katie Olsen - Assistant Professor in the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication at K-State, recognized with the 2022 Davids-Dunham Award for her work in diversity
- Jessica Maxwell - Communications Specialist at the K-State Student Union
- Angie Brunk, Assistant Professor, Academic Services Librarian at K-State
- Dr. Brandon Haddock - Student Services Coordinator, Student Belonging and Inclusion - Spectrum Center at K-State
- Faridah Abraham - Graduate Student at K-State, Human Rights Activist
- Curtis Becker - Instructor in the School of Humanities + Social Sciences at Emporia State
- Dr. Alex McVey - Assistant Professor, Director of K-State Debate in the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication at K-State
Content Creator & Influencer Browsing Fair
Time/Location: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. K-State Student Union Courtyard
Register to attend any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Details: Want to be a savvy and creative content producer on social media? Improve your content creation game as you browse our creator and influencer fair with tips and demonstrations for video, photography, design, and more.
- Watch or take part in a live taping of K-State’s social media video series “Chats with Cats”
- Browse content creator tables and take part in content demonstrations
- Meet K-State students and special guests who will share strategies for media and influencer relations that result in shareworthy content!
- Join us for an announcement about a NEW social media content creator club at K-State
Additionally, stop by at 12 pm to hear from adventure-lifestyle marketing expert Ryan Hayter:
Building Brand Awareness Through Lifestyle Influencer Content: How do you break down complicated ideas to influence public knowledge and opinions while also driving sales? Public relations executive Ryan Hayter, Founder/President of adventure-lifestyle firm Hayter Industries, shares tried and true strategies for media and influencer relations that results in shareworthy content. Hosted by K-State's Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).
K-State Social Media Management Certificate Information Session
Time/Location: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Register to attend and receive a zoom link.
Details: The online social media management certificate - for undergraduates and industry professionals - is designed for anyone seeking to expand and enhance their knowledge and skills in social media strategies and best practices, daily management, and content creation. Learn more and ask questions during this informative session.
Presented by: the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication
2024 Media Coverage:
WIBW: K-State Social Media Week to feature events in artificial intelligence, content creation
The K-State Collegian: K-State to host third annual social media week
Mission
This week-long event encourages students to explore the opportunities inherent in social media: to stay informed, explore new ideas, express themselves personally, and engage in discussion with others in their communities and around the world. Programming and events during #KStateSMW seek to provide students with the following skills, competencies and knowledge:
- Critically evaluate their own social media use in a rapidly changing world and diverse society.
- Recognize opportunities for proactive and collaborative digital communication that have the potential to benefit communities and inspire civic engagement.
- Practice critical thinking related to media, use problem solving skills to deconstruct content and collaborate to create content.
- Identify and analyze ethical and societal issues related to social media communication and emerging technology from multiple points of view.
- Understand the role social media plays in various industries and legal responsibilities related to participation in social media.
- Demonstrate resilience and personal well-being when faced with effects of social media use.
Get Involved
All units, departments, and organizations at Kansas State University are invited to take part in K-State Social Media Week. Send inquiries to Professor of Practice in the A.Q. Miller School, Jana Thomas.
Past Events
In the past two years of K-State Social Media Week, nearly 500 students registered and attended to learn more about social media careers, personal branding and influencing, collaboration on social media, content creation, and more.
Hear from some of our event partners, collaborators, and attendees:
"Given the multitude of ways social media impacts not only college students’ lives but the world we all share together, taking a week to highlight and educate our K-State community about this powerful tool and topic seems especially relevant and timely. I’m excited the bar has been set high for future Social Media Weeks given the quality of presenters and variety of relevant presentation topics being offered during this year’s inaugural offering.”
- Thomas Lane, Vice President and Dean of Students, Kansas State University
“Coming back to K-State and sharing my work experience has been such a joy. I was once in students' shoes, so my work with K-State Social Media Week has been to motivate and inspire them as others did for me when I was a student.”
- Cameron Banning, Team Lead - Brand Partnerships Manager at TikTok, K-State Alumnus in Advertising & Public Relations
“Social media week provided me with tangible skills and workshop experience that will directly apply to my future work in industry. I had the opportunity to learn about both personal branding and life in the social media industry, two things that I don’t regularly learn about in the classroom. The talks I attended were great reminders that social media can be used to leverage good in a variety of industries, not just communications and marketing.”
- Ariana Brancato, Student in Advertising & Public Relations and Spanish
“With social media becoming an important part of society, I was excited for the opportunity to dive deeper. I attended the talk "Sports in the Time of Social Media: Athletes and Personal Branding" with Deuce Vaughn and Marisa Weichel. I left this event with a better understanding of how social media can directly affect students on campus, specifically student athletes. This was a very eye opening experience, and I'm glad that I took the opportunity to attend.”
- Erin Jackson, Student in Sociology, Anthropology & Social Work
“I enjoyed SMW so much, it was a lot of fun to hear about different ways to use social media in the most effective ways and analyze the data from that. I was also excited to learn about the social media management certificate and the applications that it could have.”
- Tanner Holte, Student in News & Sports Media
Social Media Week tackles intentional use of evolving social media space (The Collegian)
K-State launches its first-ever Social Media Week (KMAN News Radio)
Campus Partners