K-State Current - February 10, 2021

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

Kansas State University's online Professional MBA ranked among nation’s top 35 programs

The online Professional Master of Business Administration, or PMBA, program at Kansas State University was recently announced as rated 35th in the nation and 25th among public universities by U.S. News and World Report's 2021 Best Online MBA Programs rankings out of 324 programs considered. The program also ranks 22nd for veterans.

"Our PMBA program has proven to be a rigorous and highly competitive program nationally," said Kevin Gwinner, Edgerley family dean of the College of Business Administration. "Since the program's debut in the top 100 in 2016, the soonest the program was eligible, students know they can count on receiving an education that will make them stand out from among their peers and propel their careers to greater heights."

Among all online MBA programs, K-State's PMBA program has ranked among the top 100 for the past six years, and in the top 50 among public institutions for the past four years.

The PMBA program was designed for professionals with at least three years of post-baccalaureate work experience who wish to earn their degrees online while simultaneously continuing to excel in their careers. The program's quality is evidenced by the prestigious accreditation from the internationally recognized Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business which has been awarded to fewer than 5% of programs worldwide in 53 countries. Students receive instruction from the same faculty who are teaching the campus students. These faculty are actively engaged in research which keeps the content current and immediately applicable to each student's day to day work life.

"The recognition of the PMBA program once again by U.S. News and World Report as a nationally ranked program is an honor," said Chwen Sheu, associate dean for academic programs and faculty of distinction/Paul Edgerley chair in Business Administration. "Being among the top 35 programs in the nation demonstrates that our effort at continuous improvement is making a difference. Additionally, the partnerships with other graduate programs in the College of Business provide PMBA students the opportunity to develop areas of concentration that will further help them stand apart as they seek new career opportunities."

Students can graduate with a general management degree or add concentrations in accounting, data analytics, finance, marketing and supply chain management.

In addition to the academic rigor of K-State's program, students receive a personalized approach to their programs of study and advisement.

"Helping students feel connected to the program and to each other has been a hallmark of the PMBA program," said Suzy Auten, director of the PMBA program since its launch in the 2013-2014 academic year. "Developing connections that cross the globe has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of my position and identified by students as being a program highlight."

The program has rolling admission with five starts each year in January, March, June, August and October. Applications are due at least one month before the desired start date. To learn more about the program or to apply, visit k-state.edu/onlinemba.

New programs help Native, Indigenous, tribal and rural Kansas students develop interest in becoming veterinarians The College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University is launching two new opportunities for future veterinarians: SPARK, the Summer Program for Aspiring Rural Kansas veterinarians, and SPRINTS, the Specialized Programs for the Recruitment of Indigenous, Native and Tribal Students initiative.

SPARK seeks to create direct and purposeful connections between aspiring veterinarians and veterinary practices in rural communities throughout Kansas. As a daylong immersive experience, SPARK provides participants with the opportunity to shadow veterinarians in rural communities and gain exposure to the demands and rewards of rural veterinary practice. The goal of the program is to generate long-term interest in a career in rural veterinary medicine. Additionally, SPARK participants will engage in educational sessions to learn how to garner the necessary financial resources to attend a professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, as well as how to create a competitive application for a selective Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.

Ideal applicants for the SPARK program are those who intend to apply for admission to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program during the 2021-2022 application cycle and are within five years of attaining a veterinary medicine degree. Applicants outside of that criteria are welcome to apply as well. To apply, go to kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6L2r0qVJG39VJMV.

The SPRINTS initiative, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides opportunities for high school and college students who identify as tribal, Native American or Indigenous to gain exposure to veterinary medicine as a potential career path. The initiative encompasses many programs, including sponsoring registration, travel and lodging costs for students to attend Vet Med ROCKS, an annual summer camp hosted by College of Veterinary Medicine students. SPRINTS participants will receive tailored consultations about the required prerequisite coursework and their current high school or transcripts, as well as the application process for acceptance into the College of Veterinary Medicine. They also will receive fee waivers for their supplemental application to the college.

Ideal applicants for the SPRINTS initiative are high school and undergraduate college students, at least 18 years of age, who identify as Indigenous, Native American or tribal, and with a desire to learn more about careers in veterinary medicine. To apply, go to kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ddolYXno3dPE9jD.

Questions about these programs can be directed to admit@vet.k-state.edu.

K-State Faculty Highlights

Nick Lander recognized as Professional Staff of the Week

Nick Lander, Housing and Dining Services associate director for student living, was recognized as Professional Staff of the Week at the Jan. 30 men's home basketball game.

Faculty Senate, the Office of the President, K-State Athletics and the Division of Communications and Marketing wish to recognize his contributions to K-State.

Lander has worked to provide K-State students with safe, comfortable on-campus living accommodations that support their academic pursuits since 2008. This year, however, he found himself attempting to carry out the department's mission with the added challenges presented by a global pandemic. Lander rose to the occasion, coordinating the initial closing of the residence halls as students moved to remote instruction last spring, and overseeing the return and quarantine protocol for K-State's study abroad students in Italy when borders closed. Working with campus partners and public health officials throughout the summer, he played a prominent part in the development and implementation of the department's successful reopening strategy and fall semester operational plan that allowed for the prompt transfer and attentive care of students in designated quarantine spaces. Lander is a trusted colleague and leader among HDS employees with a campuswide reputation for professionalism and expert problem solving, working closely with the Athletics Department, International Student and Scholar Services and others over the years to ensure a quality living experience tailored to the diverse needs of all students.

Executive Director of K-State Student Union Named EOA Achiever The Educational Opportunity Association EOA Achiever Committee is excited to announce that Corey Williamson, executive director of the K-State Student Union, has been named one of the 2020 EOA Achievers. This is quite an honor and the TRIO Community is very proud of all of his accomplishments and successes over the years.

EOA Achievers must be a person of high stature within their profession or have received recognition for outstanding achievements in their field; have made significant civic, community, or professional contributions; and acknowledge that participation in the TRIO/GEAR UP program had a significant impact in obtaining their educational and/or professional objectives.

The public recognition of outstanding former TRIO participants is a special event that gives the TRIO community an opportunity to congratulate alumni on their successes. Williamson was honored at a special TRIO Achievers’ event during the EOA virtual annual conference Nov. 9-11, 2020. There were more than 500 TRIO and College Access & Success professionals from the EOA 10-state region attending the conference.

K-State Student News

Gilman scholarship gives pre-vet students opportunities to study profession abroad

Two Kansas State University pre-veterinary students from Manhattan will use the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to gain veterinary experience abroad.

Destiny Serrano, senior, and Caitlin Snyder, sophomore, both in the pre-veterinary option of K-State's animal sciences and industry major, are the university's latest recipients of the Gilman scholarship, which helps U.S. undergraduate students at two-year or four-year colleges or universities participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Gilman scholarships are congressionally funded and established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000.

Both Serrano and Snyder will use their scholarships to work with Loop Abroad, which offers student veterinary services programs around the world. Serrano will work with Loop Abroad in Thailand, while Snyder will work with the organization in South Africa. Both trips are planned for this summer, contingent upon the status of the pandemic.

In Thailand, Serrano will work alongside a veterinarian at a dog shelter for a week to learn about and assist with spay and neuter procedures. During her second week, she will live at an elephant sanctuary to learn how to care for rescued elephants. In her third week, she will live with an exchange family in a rural village and continue working with rescued elephants and assisting local residents with community activities such as chopping sugar cane, planting trees and teaching children English at the local school while she learns the Thai language.

While in South Africa, Snyder will study the anatomy, behavior and conservation of big cats for two weeks and then spend two weeks learning about South African zoo husbandry and management. Both projects will include working with wild cubs and rescued animals to study their anatomy and behavior, and working with South African veterinarians to learn how they treat and care for these animals so they can be released back into the wild.

Active on campus and in the community, Serrano is community service chair for Veterinary Voyagers and a member of the K-State Rodeo Club. She is a Riley County Humane Society volunteer, therapeutic riding instructor at Hope Ranch, serves on the policy council of College Hill Preschool and works as the manager of an apartment building and as a restaurant server, both in Manhattan. Serrano has received the Beckman Memorial Scholarship, Elmer and Margaret A. Gardner Memorial Scholarship and the Stella Harris Scholarship, as well as a Pell Grant, Bluemont Grant, Kansas Comprehensive Grant and Educational Opportunity Fund. She is married to Erik Serrano Sr. and has a son, Erik Jr.

"I am extremely grateful to have been awarded the Gilman Scholarship," Serrano said. "This scholarship will allow me to participate in a wonderful study abroad program that I otherwise would have never been able to afford. With this opportunity, I will be able to gain more experience pertaining to my future career goals as a veterinarian and grow as an individual by being able to experience cultures and lifestyles outside of my own."

Snyder is a member of the K-State Honors Program, Pre-Vet Club, Veterinary Voyagers and Phi Eta Sigma, the national freshmen honor society. She has received the Vanier Family Scholarship, A.W. Michael and William Michael Scholarship, Elmer and Margaret A. Gardner Memorial Scholarship, and Foundation Plus Scholarship. She is the daughter of Scott and Trisha Snyder, Manhattan.

"I want to study abroad because my goal is to be a veterinarian working with exotic animals," Snyder said. "I feel the best way to get in close contact with some of these animals is to be where they live in the wild. The Gilman scholarship helps me achieve this goal because I did not have the funds to participate in this program without a scholarship."

The next Gilman Scholarship application deadline is March 2 for students planning to go abroad in the summer 2021 or fall 2021 terms. Students also may apply for the scholarship and receive an early decision if they are planning to go abroad in the spring 2022 semester. A Gilman information session will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5.More information and a link to register can be found here.

Contact Sara Boro, Education Abroad advisor, at seboro@k-state.edu for any additional questions.

K-State Current archive