February 8, 2024
Next-Gen K-State monthly update with President Linton
Dear K-State Community,
At the start of the spring semester, I shared my commitment to provide monthly update letters, each diving into a specific area of our Next-Gen K-State strategic plan. For February, I'd like to spend a little time highlighting recent work toward our priority of delivering an unmatched and impactful student experience.
We have three key multifaceted priorities under the student experience umbrella:
- Creating a supportive culture of holistic support for the whole student.
- Integrating applied learning experiences for all-degree seeking students.
- Enhancing affordability and value for all learners.
So much work is already underway in alignment with these priorities, building upon the incredible foundation we already have and accelerating our vision to elevate the student experience to new levels. A key guidepost in this effort is what we are calling the K-State Student Success Playbook. The playbook, which is derived from guidance from the National Institute for Student Success, is being brought to life under the leadership of Vice President for Academic Success and Student Affairs Thomas Lane. Four sub-teams have been established to create our path forward in these key areas:
- Data-informed proactive advising.
- Structured pathways for student transitions.
- Timely and effective student communications.
- Improved affordability and strengthened financial aid.
With their dedicated and thoughtful planning, we are exploring new advising initiatives, cataloging and creating effective bridge programs to aid in student transitions, mapping our communications to students, and exploring solutions to ensure our educational opportunities remain accessible and affordable. These are no small tasks, but these dedicated, cross-functional teams are lifting this work up every day.
In the coming weeks, you will also begin to see some video interviews exploring unique applied learning experiences at our institution. I had the opportunity to visit with faculty and students in the Staley School of Leadership, alongside their community partner at the Flint Hills Breadbasket, and I also got to visit with faculty and students in the College of Architecture, Planning & Design about one of their signature international experiences. You'll be able to hear first-hand how these experiences are expanding the way our students are seeing the world around them and opening them up to creating sustainable societal solutions. I'm excited to share these stories with you.
As we drive toward our future, it's important for us to know both where we've been and where we're heading. When the institution's last strategic plan — K-State 2025 — was launched, it outlined a goal of driving what was a 56% six-year graduation rate to 70%. As of fall 2023, two years ahead of our 2025 timeline, the university pushed beyond that goal, boasting the highest six-year graduation rate in Kansas at 70.5%. This showcases how hard work and laser focus can take us to our goals and beyond. And I have no doubt our Next-Gen goal of 75% is well within our reach.
Last fall, we also celebrated our first-to-second year retention rate of 87.1%. Our Next-Gen goal of 92% will take that same hard work and dedication, but we are on our way. Additionally, the Career Center announced its annual post-graduation statistics earlier this week, and we continue to see incredible placement rates among recent graduates, with 96% of recent graduate survey respondents either employed or enrolled to further their education within six months of graduation.
These rates do not happen by accident — they are the result of intentional and diligent effort not just focused on career placement or student retention, but on seeing each student as a whole person. By adopting the Okanagan Charter last fall and establishing K-State as a Health-Promoting University, that's just one more way we support our students to live and lead healthy, fulfilled and meaningful lives. We look forward to celebrating our Health-Promoting University efforts more next week!
Nine paragraphs in, and I have only just skimmed the surface of the incredible work taking place to ensure we deliver an unmatched and impactful experience for our students. I want to thank you all for everything you do to advance this work, as serving our students and helping them achieve their dreams is core to who we are as an institution. And as we continue to reach new heights, we will lead the way among institutions across this nation, modeling what's possible and proving what students can achieve with the right opportunities and support.
Don't forget to visit our Next-Gen K-State website often for the latest updates and funding opportunities, and keep doing the incredible work that propels us forward!
Go 'Cats!
Rich Linton
President