K-State announces microcredential programs funded through Academic Innovation Fund
Kansas State University is advancing its commitment to academic innovation through the Academic Innovation Fund, a strategic investment process overseen by the Office of the Provost’s Academic Affairs and Innovation unit and supported by the One K-State Fund.
The fund provides resources to develop new, forward-looking educational programs that respond to evolving learner and workforce needs.
Since its launch in fall 2023, the Academic Innovation Fund has committed $1 million to support new program development, funding eight programs in fiscal year 2024 and an additional ten in fiscal year 2025.
For the 2025–2026 cycle, funding was focused exclusively on microcredentials: short, skills-based programs designed to meet workforce needs and expand access to high-impact learning opportunities. Proposals were selected based on their ability to reach new audiences, address regional and global workforce demands and align with K-State’s Opportunity Agenda and long-term sustainability goals.
All the funded projects also include partnerships with industry and community organizations, strengthening K-State’s role as a first-choice education and business partner in Kansas and beyond.
2026 Academic Innovation Fund projects
Applied Brewing and Fermentation Systems
This credit microcredential in the College of Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies at K-State Olathe — developed by Darrin Smith, associate dean of faculty, research and administration — will prepare learners for careers in the rapidly growing fermentation and bioprocessing industries by building applied skills in brewing science, quality control and systems operations.
Designed to address workforce gaps in areas such as microbiology, data analysis and quality management systems, the program combines scientific foundations with hands-on, industry-relevant training.
Graduates will be equipped for entry-level technician roles and advancement into quality assurance and control positions across brewing, food production and biomanufacturing sectors.
Applied Safety Education Program
The Applied Safety Education Program in the Department of Integrated Studies at K-State Salina — developed by Lisa Shappee, professor and director for the Center of Academic and Learning Innovation — will deliver targeted, workforce-ready training in safety practices across laboratory, manufacturing and aviation environments.
Responding to growing demand for applied safety competencies, the program will emphasize hazard identification, regulatory compliance and risk mitigation through scenario-based learning.
Its flexible, stackable design will enable learners to quickly gain and demonstrate critical safety skills valued by employers, supporting both immediate workforce entry and long-term career advancement.
Bakery Science Pathways
The Bakery Science Pathways microcredential series will be offered through the Department of Grain and Food Science in the College of Agriculture and will be developed by Elisa Karkle, assistant professor; April Darnell, education manager; and Aaron Clanton, Bakers National Education Foundation Instructor, all within the department.
The series will offer ten online, skills-based courses designed to meet workforce needs in commercial baking and food production. Moving beyond basic baking techniques, the program will emphasize the science of ingredients, production systems, quality assurance, and product development.
Developed in partnership with industry leaders, these stackable microcredentials will provide flexible, accessible training for professionals seeking to advance into technical, supervisory and product innovation roles in the global baking industry.
Central Plains Weed Identification
This microcredential will be run by the Department of Agronomy in the College of Agriculture and will be developed by Rachel Cott, assistant professor, and Anita Dille, professor, both within the department. It will equip agricultural professionals with the critical skill of accurate weed identification, a foundational step in effective crop management and yield protection.
Designed for agronomists, applicators and farm managers, the program addresses a gap in accessible, on-demand training while supporting industry certification requirements.
By combining applied plant science with real-world agricultural contexts, the credential enhances decision-making and supports improved environmental and economic outcomes in crop production.
Crop Production
The Crop Production microcredential program will be run by the Department of Agronomy in the College of Agriculture and developed by Sarah Lancaster, assistant professor. The program will offer both beginning and advanced pathways to equip agronomy professionals with up-to-date, research-based knowledge essential for advising modern agricultural operations.
Aligned with Certified Crop Advisor performance standards, the program covers critical areas such as soil and water management, nutrient application, pest control and crop systems.
Designed for working professionals, these flexible, stackable microcredentials support continuing education, strengthen workforce expertise and promote sustainable and profitable agricultural practices across the region.
Greenhouse Gas Management: Technology and Innovations
This microcredential offered through the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering and developed by Suprem Das, associate professor, will prepare learners to address one of today’s most pressing global challenges, managing and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, through a focus on emerging technologies and interdisciplinary solutions.
The program builds practical skills in environmental sensing, data analysis and IoT-enabled monitoring systems used in agriculture, industry and environmental management.
Designed for professionals across sectors, it supports rapidly growing career pathways in sustainability, climate technology and environmental policy while contributing to global efforts toward net-zero emissions.
Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification
The Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting and Verification, or MMRV, microcredential will be run by the Department of Agronomy in the College of Agriculture and the Department of Marketing in the College of Business Administration. Charles Rice, university distinguished professor, and Sailesh Menon, program manager in agronomy, and Esther Swilley, department head of marketing, will prepare learners to collect, analyze and communicate environmental and sustainability data in response to the growing global demand for climate accountability and ESG reporting.
Through applied, hands-on learning, participants will gain practical skills in data collection, reporting frameworks and verification processes used in agriculture, business and environmental sectors.
This flexible credential positions learners for emerging roles in sustainability, carbon markets and environmental data analysis.
Records Management
The Records Management microcredential program offered through the K-State Libraries is a two-level pathway, foundational and intermediate, designed to build essential and advanced skills in managing organizational records across their lifecycle. Academic services librarians Sara Kearns, Cindy Logan, Laura Bonella and Melia Fritch, along with Danielle Hall, university records manager, and Ryan Leimkuehler, university archivist, will develop the program.
Addressing a critical workforce need for effective information governance, the program will prepare learners to ensure legal compliance, reduce organizational risk and support operational efficiency across public and private sectors.
Tailored for both entry-level professionals and experienced practitioners, these flexible, noncredit microcredentials also align with industry standards and continuing education requirements, strengthening career advancement opportunities in records and information management.
Semiconductor Manufacturing
The Semiconductor Manufacturing microcredential program offered through the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering and developed by Suprem Das, associate professor, will address critical workforce shortages in one of the nation’s most strategic and rapidly growing industries.
By developing the program in collaboration with industry partners, students will have hands-on, applied training in wafer processing, cleanroom fabrication, testing and reliability, and quality control.
Through flexible, stackable learning modules, it will equip technicians and engineers with in-demand skills while also serving as a pathway into advanced academic programs, helping to build a sustainable talent pipeline for regional and national semiconductor industries.
— Submitted by Jo Maseberg-Tomlinson