The University aims to foster excellent teaching, research, and service that develop a highly skilled and educated citizenry necessary to advancing the well-being of Kansas, the nation, and the international community
Being a land-grant university, Kansas State University has always worked to educate all people in a variety of disciplines. The University has continued this tradition of equality. The University’s Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering, established in 2011, works to enhance the environment for girls and women interested in science, technology engineering, and mathematics. They have four programs to increase the participation, retention, and advancement of girls and women in STEM fields. ADVANCE is for professional development of postdocs and faculty; SUCCEED is for undergraduate and graduate students; EXCITE! is for high school students; and GROW is for girls in 6-8 grades. Several of these programs started with funding from the National Science Foundation but were supported by the university after the grant period ended. The office also recognizes female faculty for academic achievements with Women of Distinction awards.
Remarkable Academic and Infrastructural Facilities
Kansas State University’s academic strengths include programs in food production and food systems, bio-safety and security, veterinary medicine, engineering, education, and many more. The university also has a strong gender, women, and sexuality studies department, which offers a major, minor, and graduate certificate.
On the path toward becoming a Top 50 public research university, Kansas State continues to actively embrace its land-grant heritage and adjust in a changing world. In the last five years, the university has added or renovated more than 1 million square feet of space on the main campus to give classrooms, research, entertainment, and living areas additional benefits. The university has a new College of Business Administration Building, which was designed to mimic modern business offices and is complete with a large stock ticker. In addition, the university has new or remodeled areas for the student union, architecture, residence hall, and engineering — the latter includes the Textron Aviation Women in Engineering Conference room.
About the President
Richard Myers is the President of the University. He continues his predecessors’ support of two female empowerment groups: Women of K-State and President’s Commission for the Status of Women. In addition, President Myers, a four-star general and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has dedicated himself towards expanding the university’s fundraising to aid in support of research, employment, and scholarship. His leadership in this area comes at a time when higher education funding is decreasing across the nation. He and his wife, Mary Jo, have served as co-chairs for the KSU Foundation’s Innovation and Inspiration Campaign, which successfully raised more than $1 billion.
Major Achievements and Accolades
The university has repeatedly received high scores in many national rankings including Princeton Review and SmartAsset. Kansas State University is third in the nation for the best quality of life and sixth in the nation for most-loved colleges and happiest student, according to the 2018 Princeton Review. According to the Wall Street Journal, Kansas State University is No. 12 in the nation for improving students’ critical thinking skills.
Highly Accomplished Alumni
Kansas State University has several notable and accomplished alumni, including Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol Carla Provost; Emmy Award winning actor Eric Stonestreet; and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and four-star General Richard Myers. Some notable women alumni include Geri Richmond, a chemist, presidential chair in science, and professor of chemistry at the University of Oregon. She won the National Medal of Science in 2013 for a landmark discovery of the molecular characteristics of water. Mary Jo Myers is the current first lady of Kansas State University and a global humanitarian. Lynn Jenkins is a U.S. representative for the 2nd District of Kansas, certified public accountant, and former Kansas state treasurer.
Financial Assistance
Kansas State University awards about $230 million in financial aid and an additional $36 million in scholarships every year. About seven out of every 10 students receive some form of financial assistance and the university employs several students for about $15 million toward student payroll.
Career Opportunities
The university’s Career Center works to promote career readiness. The center hosts a number of career fairs with the largest All-University Career Fair, drawing in more than 300 employers. More than 7,500 students attend one of the university’s fairs. The career readiness of students and strong recruiting interest from industry is part of the reason why 94 percent of last year’s graduating class was employed or enrolled in graduate education within six months of graduation. In addition, they offer many services such as resume critiques and a free career closet for students who can’t afford business attire.
