February 7, 2025
President Linton Next-Gen K-State monthly update
Dear K-State community,
The past few weeks have been a time of evolution and change. I understand that these transitions may have brought concerns, and I want you to know that we are actively working to address your questions. Despite this period of uncertainty, our university must remain dedicated to our fundamental land-grant mission. I am deeply grateful for your continued commitment and resilience.
Our core commitment remains unwavering: student success and innovation. Our students and learners are the most crucial part of our university and the foundation we build daily. I am excited to share two new developments that will enhance our ability to deliver an unmatched and impactful student experience.
Introducing Willie: A 24/7 campus connection for first-year students
Willie, our beloved 'Cat, is now available to all first-year students as an AI virtual assistant accessible directly from their mobile devices. This innovative tool can:
- Proactively check in with first-year students
- Answer questions instantly
- Connect students to critical campus support services
- Provide on-demand assistance 24/7
This platform will help us quickly identify and address students' barriers, ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed.
If continuing students have questions but aren't sure where to find answers, they can use the I Need Help feature in Navigate, and a K-State team member will reach out to help.
Transformational investment in applied learning
I am thrilled to announce a transformational gift from Paul and Sandra Edgerley that will help us deliver on our promise to provide every degree-seeking student with applied learning experiences before graduation.
This multiyear $20 million investment is a game-changing commitment to our students' futures. The gift builds university-level capacity to support and elevate applied learning experiences throughout the student journey. Specifically, the investment will support innovative, interdisciplinary, real-world learning models, including:
- University Honors Program grand challenges curriculum
- Strong Complex honors commons
- A vertically integrated student research pilot with the Kansas Water Institute
- Career development pathways in the College of Business Administration
These initiatives represent our strategic approach to scaling excellent, applied learning for all students, ensuring our graduates are academically prepared and professionally equipped to excel in their chosen fields.
Our ongoing commitment
Both Willie and our transformational applied learning investments reflect our broader mission: to create a supportive, responsive educational environment that empowers every student to achieve their full potential. These are just two ways we're innovating to support student success.
Thank you for all that you do to help make K-State the next-generation land-grant university.
As always, Go 'Cats!
Richard Linton
President