Source: Dan Richardson, 913-541-1220, dcrichar@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.olathe.k-state.edu
News tip: Olathe
News release prepared by: Kristi Northcutt, 913-307-7341, knorthcutt@k-state.edu
Thursday, April 26, 2012
K-State Olathe announces first five advanced degree programs to be offered
OLATHE -- One year after opening its doors, the third campus in Kansas State University's three-campus system, K-State Olathe, is marking its anniversary with the announcement of its first five degree programs. The programs, all graduate-level, have a focus on animal health and food safety.
The first program, which is enrolling now for classes beginning this summer, is the master of science in adult and continuing education. The program looks at how adults learn, how to best present programs and teach adult learners, and how to market a program to adult audiences. The program prepares graduates to work with adults in the animal health and food safety industries, human resources, continuing education and a variety of other fields.
Over the next academic year, K-State Olathe will roll out master's degree programs in food science, biological and agricultural engineering, veterinary biomedical science, and horticulture with an emphasis in urban food systems.
"These degree programs focus in and support the areas of animal health and food safety, areas we promised our taxpayers, alumni, industry and community that we would deliver as part of the Johnson County Education Research Triangle tax initiative that was passed to bring us here in 2008," said Dan Richardson, CEO of K-State Olathe.
Since opening on April 26, 2011, K-State Olathe has welcomed more than 12,000 people in its facility and hosted more than 500 events and 15 major conferences. All 10 of the university's labs are being filled by industry and academia, including a research and development lab for Lenexa-based Ceva Biomune, the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health, Smart Vet, Urban Water Institute, Advanced Manufacturing Institute, the Center for Animal Health Innovation and a food science lab.
In the K-12 outreach programs, more than 2,200 students and teachers from Johnson County's six school districts and from the Greater Kansas City area have attended events at K-State Olathe or that were conducted in their schools in the fields of animal health and food safety. Summer institutes for K-12 educators for a graduate credit have also been developed.
"We've had an outstanding first year," Richardson said. "The partnerships and progress we've made are unparalleled; the degree program announcement is a perfect way to top off our success this year."
For more information about the degree programs being offered or for admission to the master of science in adult and continuing education program, visit http://www.olathe.k-state.edu.
Kansas State University Olathe advances the mission of Kansas State University by integrating education, research and entrepreneurship, focused on animal health, food safety and security to address the needs of a rapidly changing world.