K-State 2025 Spotlights
An Introduction
To celebrate Kansas State University's progress towards to goals of its strategic action plan, the K-State 2025 Spotlights will highlight a unique story from the first five years of the plan that contributed to the university's momentum. The goal is to highlight people and programs in action across a diverse array of colleges and departments, as well as all seven Themes of K-State 2025.
Below are excerpts from Provost April Mason's letter to campus, which launched the Spotlights early in the fall of 2016. Her letter discussed the role of the Spotlights in setting aside time to reflect upon and celebrate the work that has been done in support of the university's strategic plan, in preparation for the release of the Five-Year Progress report at the end of the fall semester.
From the provost's desk: K-State 2025 — celebrating five years of progress
When we embarked on our K-State 2025 planning process, individuals across our campuses and within every college and unit began thinking — and dreaming — about who they wanted to be and what they wanted our university to look like by the year 2025. The university-wide strategic action plan, as well as the college and major unit plans, were built in five year stages —with short-term, intermediate term and long-term goals—and the opportunity to revisit, assess and adapt the plans at each five year benchmark. Since setting out on these ambitious goals, I find it inspiring to think about just how much progress has taken place over the span of the first five years.
Together, our shared vision has begun to take shape, and — through new facilities, programs and initiatives — we have witnessed our university begin to transform. From construction dust to the launch of new programs and initiatives within every college and unit on our four campuses, the impacts of K-State 2025 can be felt throughout our university community.
As we wrap up the first five years—and prepare to refresh our strategic action plans with a new university president, General Richard B. Myers, in 2017—we want to focus some time throughout this semester to recognize and celebrate the exciting progress we've made. Throughout our fall visits, deans and vice presidents will be sharing the progress of their units and we will share the university's progress. In addition, every Thursday in K-State Today, a new feature called K-State 2025 Spotlights will highlight a unique story from the past five years that contributed to our K-State 2025 momentum.
The exciting outcomes and strides we have taken together were made possible only through the effort and commitment of the many who helped move forward the diverse array of actions and initiatives that make up K-State 2025. Our hope is to share some of these stories as part of a broader one: the story of a university on the move — from an excellent institution to a truly extraordinary, Top 50, public research university.
I hope you'll enjoy reading these K-State 2025 Spotlights and consider contributing a story of your own at #KState2025 on Twitter. Through our Spotlights and your contributions, we will tell the story of five years of progress.
Guided by a spirit of collaboration and a strong sense of shared vision, we will continue our journey toward 2025 and—together—write the next chapter in the story of K-State.
Thanks for all you do,
April
