January 6, 2025
Haijun Kang and Ashley Blake recognized as Professor and Professional Staff of the Week
Haijun Kang, professor of adult learning and leadership in the College of Education, and Ashley Blake, advisor training administrator in Academic and Career Engagement, were recognized as Professor and Professional Staff of the Week at the Dec. 30 men's home basketball game.
Kang teaches courses on adult learning theory, learning technology, program planning, social media and digital leadership development in the College of Education. His research is evidence-based and focuses on the use of technology, the arts and the science of learning design and analytics to empower people working in and with global adult education communities. Among his numerous publications, Kang's recent journal article in 2023, "Artificial Intelligence and its influence in adult learning in China," provides a research-based model for investigating the influence of AI's integration into adult learning and leadership practices across cultures. This year, Kang co-authored a book chapter titled "Leveraging professional development to transform curriculum leadership in rural China."
Kang received national recognition for outstanding research and original research in the field of adult and continuing education from the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education. He is an established leader and contributor to the profession and community. He serves as a member of the Executive Committee in the College of Education, the co-chair of the SIG oversight committee at The Comparative and International Education Society and the publications chair at the Asian Adult Education Conference.
Blake is responsible for creating professional development and training opportunities for the more than 300 staff and faculty serving as academic advisors to undergraduate students. Blake has created an Advisor Communication Timeline that includes scheduled strategic communication templates that all advisors can easily adopt. Blake also has created an advisor training program. She has stood up a comprehensive new website full of resources to educate and train all academic and faculty advisors to improve the advising experience for all students.
K-State students are at the forefront of all that Blake does. She is committed to ensuring all K-State advisors can provide an equitable and excellent experience to all students. Blake is responsible for developing and executing the Winter and Summer Advising Institutes at K-State which are professional development events for advisors. She partners with faculty and staff across the institution and is always happy to collaborate and assist in efforts involving the improvement of academic advising. She regularly contributes to the state, regional and national advising associations with regular presentations. As we strive to meet the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan goals for retention, enrollment and the student experience, Blake will play a key role.
The Professor of the Week recognition is coordinated by Faculty Senate, the president's office, K-State Athletics and the Division of Communications and Marketing. Recipients are faculty members selected by Faculty Senate caucuses. Those selected are provided tickets to a men's home basketball game of their choosing and are recognized during halftime. This is just a small token of appreciation for those who teach at K-State.