January 11, 2021
Michelle Geering and Karol Fike recognized as Professional Staff and Professor of the Week
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Michelle Geering, left, public information officer in the Division of Communications and Marketing; and Karol Fike, teaching associate professor of animal sciences and industry, were recognized as the Professional Staff and Professor of the Week. |
Michelle Geering, public information officer in the Division of Communications and Marketing, and Karol Fike, teaching associate professor of animal sciences and industry, were recognized as the Professional Staff and Professor of the Week at the Jan. 9 men's home basketball games, respectively. Faculty Senate, the Office of the President, K-State Athletics and the Division of Communications and Marketing wish to recognize these individuals' contributions to K-State.
Fike joined the faculty at K-State in 2006. Fike has a passion for teaching and working with students. She advises students, teaches Farm Animal Reproduction, Animal Sciences and Industry Career Preparations, Feedlot Management, Physiology of Reproduction in Farm Animals, and she coordinates the departmental internship program. She also provides leadership to the Animal Sciences Academic Quadrathlon competition. Fike was recently awarded the 2020 K-State Ag Alumni Outstanding Professor award. Her student evaluations include the following comments: "Dr. Fike is a wonderful professor. She was very understanding and always willing to help. Dr. Fike cares deeply about student development. She is student-oriented and makes the students feel comfortable and appreciated. Her teaching is a definite asset to this university." Fike's research interests include beef cattle reproductive physiology and management and evaluation of factors affecting sale price of beef calves marketed via video auction.
Geering serves as social media manager and media relations contact for K-State. During these trying times, Geering has helped keep K-Staters up to date on what's happening at the university. She has answered hundreds of media requests for information and interviews. She also has responded to social media queries from students, faculty, staff and the public, working round the clock in responding to the rapidly changing environment. Social media is not always considerate. Not only does she have to ensure she gets messaging out in a timely manner, but when challenging issues come up, Geering is called upon to respond and monitor. Those comments come 24/7, so it takes a dedicated professional to sort through and know when it is in the university's best interest to respond and respond quickly. Geering's dedication, professionalism and expertise have been invaluable to K-State, especially during this time of COVID-19. In addition, she participates in multiple staff and committee meetings to stay apprised of the latest developments. Hers is not an easy job, as news trends in the negative these days. She handles it with grace and no complaints.