Kansas State University

K-State's commitment to health

Submitted by Kathleen Hatch

Health is central to everything we do at K-State. By prioritizing health, we aim to create a more vibrant, resilient and successful campus community. When health and well-being are at the forefront, it fosters an environment where everyone can thrive. This commitment ties directly to our next-gen values, emphasizing impact, stewardship and a holistic approach to education. 

We are proud to be the first university in the Big 12 and Kansas to become a Health Promoting University. This achievement is a critical part of our K-State Opportunity Agenda. By joining this global movement, we reinforce our commitment to the well-being of our entire community — faculty, staff and students — while leveraging our strengths to promote health on a larger scale. To help you determine how you might contribute and be involved in the efforts, see our current framework: 

Through our guiding principles, we will:

• Focus on a systemwide integration, embedding health into all aspects of university life.
• Build on our community's strengths to enhance well-being initiatives.
• Engage all stakeholders, ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and valued.
• Build a sustainable culture of health, with action at multiple levels.
• Develop collaborations and partnerships across disciplines and sectors to strengthen our efforts.
• Promote research, innovation and evidence-informed action to continuously improve our efforts. 

Our initial focus areas and initiatives include:

• Financial well-being: Providing resources to help our community manage financial stress and build financial literacy.
• Led by Kate Mielitz, executive director, Powercat Financial
• Physical activity: Encouraging movement and physical health through accessible programs and initiatives.
• Led by Craig Harms, professor of kinesiology
• Social connection: Fostering a sense of belonging and community through meaningful social interactions.
• Led by Tamara Bauer, instructor/program director, Staley School of Leadership
• Universitywide engagement: Ensuring that health and well-being initiatives are integrated into all aspects of campus life and that everyone has an opportunity to be involved.
• Led by Kathleen Hatch, Morrison Family associate vice president, student well-being
• Wildcat Pause Day: Planning for promotion, activities and assessment of the Oct. 11 event.
• Led by Chris Bowman, director, Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being
• Don Saucier, professor of psychology
• Brad Regier, associate director of assessment
• Process and policy exploration: Investigating the existing policies and process on campus that enhance or detract from health and also search for solutions to barriers to health and well-being.
• Led by Michelle Toews, professor of applied human sciences
• Amanda McDiffet, assistant vice president, human resources
• Erin Good, senior associate general counsel
• Flint Hills food recovery: Integrating food recovery into every university event so surplus food reaches those in need instead of going to waste.
• Led by Vicki James, Food and Farm Council, coordinator
• Adelaide Easter, SGA basic needs director
• Stress and resiliency in our communities: initiating a partnership between K-State Research and Extension and Health Promoting University to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and equip Kansans with tools and techniques to enhance their resiliency.
• Led by Rebecca McFarland, Frontier Extension District, director
• Rachael Clews, FCS extension specialist, Southwest Research and Extension Center
• Alicia Boor, agriculture and natural resources specialist, Cottonwood Extension District 

Together, we're committed to integrating health into every corner of university life. Our common agenda includes:

• Establishing a campuswide culture that prioritizes health and well-being.
• Creating accessible and inclusive opportunities for everyone to engage in health-promoting activities.
• Ensuring health and well-being are part of all decision-making processes.
• Building a supportive environment that encourages collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement. 

We're excited to be on this journey with you and look forward to seeing how we can all contribute to making K-State a model for health promotion. Your involvement is essential in making sure our efforts align with the needs and strengths of our community. If you are interested in getting involved and staying informed about our work please complete our survey.