05/01/19
K-State Current - May 1, 2019
K-State Current is a weekly news update for the Kansas Board of Regents to apprise the Regents on a few of the many successes and achievements made by K-State faculty, staff and students.
K-State News
K-State named 2018 Tree Campus USA
For the sixth year, Kansas State University been recognized as a Tree Campus USA. The university first received the designation in 2013.
Tree Campus USA is a national program of the Arbor Day Foundation. The program honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in conservation.
To obtain the distinction, Kansas State University met the five core standards for an effective campus forest management: Establishing a tree advisory committee, showing evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicating annual expenditures for its campus tree program, hosting an Arbor Day observance and sponsoring student service-learning projects.
"Since becoming a Tree Campus USA in 2013 we have installed permanent, educational signs near 18 spectacular campus trees, planted more than 30 new trees and provided various educational opportunities during the week of Arbor Day," said Cathie Lavis, professor and extension specialist in the horticulture and natural resources department and member of the university's tree advisory committee. "We must continue to expand this educational mission so that our treed campus is well maintained and this legacy is continued for future generations."
The university's tree care plan includes tree selection and planting, pruning, staking, trunk protection, preventative maintenance pruning, service requests, fallen limb removal, hazard and emergency tree removal and stump grinding, all of which offer learning projects for arboriculture students.
The tree advisory committee also developed a five-year strategic Emerald Ash Borer Readiness and Response Plan to acknowledge, manage and minimize the ecological, economic, and aesthetic effects that the emerald ash borer will have on the K-State Manhattan campus. The plan aims to minimize the impact and potential for loss of ash trees at the lowest cost to the university; limit the exposure to liability imposed by an infestation of the emerald ash borer; protect students, faculty and staff, and visitors from hazardous trees and conditions; and maintain the beauty and efficacy of university properties.
Other tree advisory committee members included Kim Bomberger, associate community forester, Kansas Forest Service; Ray Cloyd, ornamental entomology and integrated pest management; Lavis; Scott McElwain, director of the Kansas State University Gardens; Judy O’Mara, instructor/diagnostician, plant pathology department; Lee Skabelund, landscape architecture and Regional and community planning department; Joe Myers, physical plant supervisor and facilities grounds manager; Ryan Swanson, university architect; Mark Taussig: campus landscape architect, associate director campus planning and facilities management; Randy James, arborist/owner, Growing Concerns; J. David Mattox, forestry supervisor, city of Manhattan.
Kansas State Polytechnic offering free UAS training to Kansas high school teachers and principals
Kansas State University's Polytechnic Campus is offering its award-winning training on unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones, to Kansas high school teachers and principals. Attendees will experience an immersive, one-week expenses-paid program June 10-14.
After completing the program, attendees will be Federal Aviation Administration-certified as commercial UAS pilots, have fundamental multirotor flight skills and understand all opportunities available to implement a UAS curriculum at their respective school.
The program consists of three days of in-person, hands-on classroom training on UAS operations, FAA regulations, safety considerations and all topics related to the FAA's 14 CFR Part 107 written exam, taken on-site at the completion of the course. Kansas State Polytechnic has a 99 percent pass rate from attendees completing the training.
Attendees will also receive hands-on multirotor flight training over two days, a feature not available in online-only trainings. Special attention will be given to applying safety practices during flight and basic proficiency knowledge of unmanned aerial vehicle flight operations. This program also includes lifetime access to online continuing education for recertification.
Instruction is led by Kansas State Polytechnic's nationally recognized UAS program. Kansas State Polytechnic was named third-place winner in the training and education category of the 2018 XCELLENCE Awards by the Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International. The award recognizes the valuable training offered and the effect Kansas State Polytechnic has on the UAS industry. Kansas State Polytechnic is a finalist for this category in 2019, with winners to be announced in May.
"We have been offering this program since the inception of the FAA's regulations on commercial UAS operations over two years ago," said Kurt J. Carraway, the UAS executive director of Kansas State University's Applied Aviation Research Center on the Polytechnic Campus.
"Our program is proven, and we are proud to be able to offer it as a strategic partnership with high schools across Kansas," Carraway said. "After three days in our immersive academic course, our attendees will be ready to take the FAA exam on the fourth day. In addition, we will pair attendees up with our staff of flight instructors to introduce them to UAS flight operations. We look forward to opening our doors to academia and expanding UAS education across the state."
Attendees will participate in a collaborative session with Kansas State Polytechnic administration on developing UAS curriculum in their respective high school. Teachers and principals who are just beginning a UAS program, have already had success in offerings, or are considering developing a program are encouraged to attend.
"Kansas State University's UAS program was formed 11 years ago," said Alysia Starkey, interim CEO and dean on the Kansas State Polytechnic Campus. "As the second university in the nation to offer a UAS-related degree, there is no better place than the Kansas State Polytechnic Campus to gain a foundation on UAS training and education."
Starkey said this form of outreach is consistent with Kansas State University's land-grant mission.
"We are committed to preparing high school students for professional careers in aviation," Starkey said. "This event is our newest mechanism for developing our aviation pioneers of tomorrow. In our interactive session with our attendees, we particularly look forward to exploring ways to serve high school students, which could include gaining Kansas State University credit toward a degree while in high school."
Attendees will stay in the Kansas State Polytechnic residence halls and dine on campus at no cost. All instruction, materials and flight training are provided in-kind by Kansas State Polytechnic. Attendees will be required to cover the $150 FAA exam fee upon completion of the course. The fee is levied by the FAA. Kansas only has three FAA-authorized test centers — and one of them is on the Kansas State Polytechnic Campus.
Registration for the course is now open and is available online. It will be limited to the first 32 registrants and is expected to reach capacity quickly. Please contact Kansas State Polytechnic's Professional Education and Outreach Office at profed@k-state.edu or 785-826-2633 with questions.
K-State Faculty Highlights
Social work instructor recognized for service to crime victims
Debi Holcomb, instructor in the College of Arts and Sciences' social work program, was recognized for her service to crime victims during the Crime Victims' Rights Conference in Wichita in early April.
Holcomb was presented the Outstanding Statewide Champion Advocacy Award by Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt during an awards ceremony yesterday.
The conference was hosted by both Attorney General Schmidt and Gov. Laura Kelly. It featured a number of speakers and trainers focused on raising awareness of emerging crimes and offering new approaches to respond to enduring crimes, such as child abuse, domestic violence and human trafficking.
Holcomb began her victim services career in 1993 when she became a volunteer, and then night staff for the Crisis Center Inc. Three years later, she was the protection from abuse coordinator in Geary County, then the volunteer coordinator for the Crisis Center.
By 1998, Holcomb developed the first Police Response Advocacy Program in Kansas. This was the first program in Kansas to have advocates respond to domestic violence calls while police were on-scene.
Holcomb created and then became the first director of the Office of Victim Services for the Kansas Department of Corrections, giving it a solid foundation from which it has survived and thrived, helping thousands of victims each year. While serving in that capacity, Holcomb created and implemented the KDOC Victim/Offender Dialogue Program, the Victim Service Liaison Program in parole, implemented the Interstate Compact Victim Notification in Kansas, and victim prison tours for those who were interested.
Throughout her years as an advocate, Holcomb focused much of her victim service work on addressing domestic violence effectively. This culminated in her being an analyst and coordinator for the Kansas Domestic Violence Fatality Review, leading the state in determining findings and pursuing appropriate policy changes.
Gov. Kelly appoints Elaine Johannes to state advisory group for juvenile justice and prevention
Gov. Laura Kelly has appointed Elaine Johannes, associate professor and extension specialist in the School of Family Studies and Human Services, to the Kansas Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for the Kansas Department of Corrections.
In accordance with K.S.A. 75-7007 and as directed by Section 223(a) (3) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the advisory group reviews juvenile justice policy, advises policymakers on issues affecting the juvenile justice system, and strives to keep Kansas in compliance with the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act act.
The appointment of Johannes, who is the chair of the human development and family science unit in the School of Family Studies and Human Services, stems from her extension role on the team implementing the Our Town Our Kids project. The project, directed by L. Sue Williams, sociology, anthropology, and social work; Greg Paul, communication studies; and Bruce Chladny, K-State Research and Extension, works with the state's western region judicial districts and extension professionals for planning and provision for early intervention services for youth and their families. The Our Town Our Kids project also involves faculty and staff from Fort Hays State University in data reporting and the role of trauma in criminal behaviors among youth.
Johannes' appointment began April 18 and continues during the governor's tenure.
K-State Student News
K-State Sales Team shines at 2019 National Collegiate Sales Competition
The Kansas State University Sales Team recently took on the best and brightest sales students from around the country at the 2019 National Collegiate Sales Competition, bringing home fifth place overall out of a field of 144 students representing 72 universities.
Representing K-State at the contest were Cecilia Nancarrow, junior in professional strategic selling, and Lanessa Aurand, junior in professional strategic selling. This marks the fourth straight year that K-State has placed in the top 10 at the competition. Dawn Deeter, marketing professor and director of the National Strategic Selling Institute is the head coach for the K-State Sales Team.
"I am so proud of Cecilia and Lanessa," Deeter said. "They both turned in excellent performances at the competition and represented K-State and the NSSI well. Competitions like these not only showcase the excellent sales talent possessed by our students to employers across the country, but also provide an opportunity for further skill-development outside the classroom. It's a win-win for all involved and we are pleased to have the opportunity to participate each year."
Hosted by Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, the National Collegiate Sales Competition, now in its 21st year, is the longest-running and largest university sales role-play competition in the country. Sales competitions allow students to test their selling skills against their peers from other universities with a focus in sales through role play scenarios.
The K-State Sales Team is housed in the College of Business Administration's National Strategic Selling Institute, which has been named one of the top sales programs in the country for eight straight years by the Sales Education Foundation. Last fall, K-State became just the 19th university in the U.S. to offer a major in sales. Students can also earn a certificate in professional strategic selling, which is open to all majors at the university. The professional strategic selling program introduces students to the fundamentals of sales and through the innovative curriculum and sales labs allows students to develop the skills needed to be successful.