Strategic initiatives (Oct. 2019-April 2020)
Global food, health, and biosecurity (Feb.-April 2020)
A preeminent challenge facing this and following generations is how the world will address the food-health-biosecurity nexus. The demand on resources will grow exponentially due to increased population, climate change, and large-scale migrations. Food quality, availability, safety, cost, and security will be of paramount importance to global human health and societal stability. In addition, the increasing and evergreen demand for health care professionals will be critical to serving our communities at home and around the world. Kansas State University will lead through teaching, research, and service to address the global truths that challenge the future of our most basic needs: health and safety.
Planning group members
- Brad Behnke, professor of kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences.
- Alfonso Clavijo, director of the USDA National Bio and Agro-defense Facility.
- Chris Culbertson, associate dean for research, College of Arts and Sciences.
- Justin DeBlauw, doctoral student in kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences.
- Erika Geisbrecht, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, College of Arts and Sciences.
- Jessica Heier Stamm, associate professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
- Colyn Heimerman, sophomore in biology, College of Arts and Sciences.
- Chad Jackson, director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship, College of Business Administration.
- Katrina Lewis, associate professor and director and of environmental design and international programs, College of Architecture, Planning & Design.
- Heather McCrea, associate professor of history, College of Arts and Sciences.
- Susan Metzger, senior executive administrator, Office of the Dean, and director of AES, College of Agriculture and KSRE.
- John Morris, senior vice president of development, KSU Foundation.
- Nancy Muturi, professor of journalism and mass communications, College of Arts and Sciences.
- Annelise Nguyen, associate professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, and associate director of the Johnson Cancer Research Center.
- Maureen Olewnik, Global Food Systems research coordinator, Office of Research Development, Office of Vice President for Research.
- Vara Prasad, professor of agronomy and director of the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Sustainable Intensification, College of Agriculture.
- Ric Rosenkranz, professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health, College of Health and Human Sciences.
- Vaishali Sharda, assistant professor of biological and agricultural engineering, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
- Mary Kay Siefers, teaching professor and director, global food systems leadership secondary major, Staley School of Leadership Studies.
- Jeanette Thurston, director of the Food Science Institute, KSRE.
- John Wolf, meat lab manager, animal sciences and industry, College of Agriculture.
Aviation (TBD)
The cyber land-grant university (March-April 2020)
As a modern land-grant university, Kansas State University will mobilize and develop technology to serve our communities. This includes imagining ways to extend the benefits of existing technologies to underserved populations in both rural and urban areas and creating entirely new technological solutions to fundamental problems.
Innovation in education (Nov. 2019-March 2020)
Kansas State University will transform to meet the changing needs of both traditional and non-traditional students, enhancing the quality and variety of educational programs offered to Kansans and beyond. We will celebrate and support innovation in pedagogy, academic programs, educational technology, and infrastructure. This will include reimagining our models for academic innovation, including our Teaching and Learning Center, and online education.
Academic innovation planning group members
- Sam Bell, professor and head of political science, College of Arts and Sciences.
- Billy Croslow, doctoral student in history, College of Arts and Sciences.
- Vibhavari Jani, associate professor of interior architecture & product design, College of Architecture, Planning & Design.
- Sara Kearns, professor, K-State Libraries, and coordinator of the Faculty Exchange for Teaching Excellence, Teaching and Learning Center.
- Jeremy Marshall, associate professor of entomology, College of Agriculture/KSRE, and faculty director, Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry, Office of Student Success.
- Sylvia Robinson, alumna, Kansas City, and immediate past-president, K-State Alumni Association.
- Don Saucier, professor of psychological sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, and faculty associate director, Teaching and Learning Center.
- Ben Ward, instructional technologist, College of Business Administration.
- Lisa Wilken, associate professor, biological and agricultural engineering, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering.
Online growth planning group members
- Ethan Erickson, chief financial officer, Office of the Chief Financial Officer.
- Bronwyn Fees, professor, School of Family Studies and Human Services, and associate dean for academic affairs, College of Health and Human Sciences.
- Trisha Gott, assistant professor and associate director, Staley School of Leadership Studies.
- Jerry Johnson, professor and chair of educational leadership, College of Education.
- Thomas Lane, vice president for student life and dean of students.
- Grace Palcic, senior in philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences.
- Michael Pritchard, instructor, School of Integrated Studies, Kansas State Polytechnic.
- Chwen Sheu, professor and associate dean for academic programs, College of Business Administration.
- George Widenor, director of marketing, K-State Global Campus.
- Sue Williams, professor of sociology, anthropology, and social work, College of Arts and Sciences.
Read the Educational Innovation and Online Growth white papers.
These initiatives are in addition to our ongoing focus on Student Success and Wellbeing as reflected in the SEM plan.
