Mission

Developing bold, curious, and connected learners to address our world’s most complex challenges.

Vision

Our diverse and changing world thrives because people and communities are prepared to learn, serve, and lead change.

About us

The Mary Lynn and Warren Staley School of Leadership at Kansas State University is a values-centered learning community that provides academic, co-curricular, and applied learning experiences to students across the university with the purpose of developing bold, curious, and connected learners to address our world’s most complex challenges.

A focus on incubating new initiatives, and building and strengthening partnerships has allowed the Staley School to evolve in new and diverse ways – launching new academic programs and becoming home to additional university-wide programs and initiatives, committed to enriching learning both in and out of the classroom.

Staley School undergraduate and graduate leadership studies academic programs are intentionally interdisciplinary, with students representing every college in the university, bringing breadth and depth to every class. Coursework and programs prepare students to exercise leadership in their personal, work, and civic life. 

Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research (SDUR) connects K-State students with real-time, real-world opportunities for research, professional development, graduate school preparation, and educational funding sources. In addition to holding undergraduate research for the institution, the McNair and Developing Scholars programs, as well as nationally competitive scholarships are all part of SDUR.

The University Honors Program (UHP) provides students with an enriched, accessible university experience that supports excellence, fosters intellectual curiosity, and empowers students to take ownership of their education. All undergraduate students are welcome, and can thrive in the unique honors community.

The Staley School of Leadership works to advance imperative 3 of the Next Gen K-State strategic plan – ensuring every degree-seeking student has an applied learning experience before graduation. By engaging faculty, staff, and community and industry partners we advance this important work, ensuring students have meaningful, real-time, real-world experiences that get them career ready.

As part of a rich history, the Staley School of Leadership facilitates leadership and service programs in partnership with campus and community organizations locally and globally. These out-of-the-classroom experiences provide opportunities for K-State students, faculty and staff, and community members to build relationships and develop essential skills while making a positive impact in communities.

Our strategic plan

The Staley School of Leadership envisions a diverse and changing world that thrives because people and communities are prepared to learn, serve, and lead change.

Our Next-Gen K-State strategic plan outlines our commitment to deliver a powerful, distinctive experience that prepares K-State learners and partners to solve the world’s most pressing challenges - through study and practice, in person and on-line, in Kansas and across the globe.

 

Our goals

Goal 1: Expand and extend learning experiences

• Partner with academic colleges and departments to offer additional curricular programs
• Expand University Honors Program living-learning by renovating the Strong Complex
• Increase adult learners participating in Staley School learning opportunities
• Identify strategies to better attract, serve and support diverse learners

Goal 2: Advance and catalyze applied learning at K-State

• All degree-seeking students will have at least one applied learning experience prior to
  graduation
• Establish guidelines for what comprises quality community-based learning
• Expand opportunities and visibility of undergraduate research (UGR)
• Build capacity of KSRE network through opportunities for leadership development
• Expand and communicate Leadership Studies’ research agenda broadly
• Establish engaged-research network across Sub-Saharan Africa with alumni of the Mandela
  Washington Fellowship

Goal 3: Build capacity and infrastructure necessary for expanded role of SSL

• Expand Staley School facilities as signature spaces that convey mission, support growth, and enhance
  learning
• Work with the President, Provost and units, and KSU Foundation to establish a fundraising
  focus on applied learning and school-wide endowments
• Align academic structure within SSL to match maturity of programs and faculty
• Increase professional development and investment opportunities for SSL faculty and staff

 

Meet Mary Lynn and Warren Staley

Mary Lynn and Warren, both K-State alumni, were major donors to the construction of the Leadership Studies Building, completed in 2010. The Staley School of Leadership's mission statement and programs reflect the couple’s long held values.