Kansas State University

search

Arts and Sciences Faculty/Staff Newsletter

CONGRATULATIONS TO ADVISOR BEN WORCESTER!

Posted on by marcia

Headshot of Ben WorcesterCongratulations to Ben Worcester, academic advisor for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, on receiving the Charlie Award from the K-State Advisor Forum! The peer-nominated award recognizes outstanding academic advisors for their hard work and dedication. It celebrates those who creatively engage in their work, have a positive impact on students, and demonstrate leadership.

“Ben is phenomenal in all aspects of his role, but specifically when he is working with students. It is clear that he is passionate about the performing arts and well-versed in the curriculum and future opportunities available to students, and that he prioritizes each student’s individual needs.”

Read more.

CALVIN HALL STUDENT LOUNGE RENOVATION

Posted on by marcia

Photo of ribbon-cutting event showing Nate Birkhead with scissorsA ribbon-cutting on Sept. 9 celebrated the recently renovated study space on the third floor of Calvin Hall! The space now boasts:

  • mobile white boards
  • small group study nooks
  • collaboration tables
  • lounge seating
  • new paint and carpet.

Special recognition for outstanding work goes to Evelynn Ediger, a member of the Student Governing Association’s Student-Centered Tuition Enhancements committee; Nathaniel Birkhead, political science department head; and Ryan Zecha, K-State Facilities project manager.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS

Posted on by marcia
Faculty Meeting

Thu., Sept. 5
4-5 p.m. | 114 Willard Hall

 

ArtSci Drop-By

purple, white and black graphic showing purple neon pizza slice and information about the September 2024 ArtSci Drop-By

Thu., Sept. 5
5-6:30 p.m. | Union Station by JP’s

Join us at this fun, informal social for all ArtSci faculty and staff! Hors d’oeuvres buffet provided!

 

Faculty Meeting

Thu., Oct. 3
4-5 p.m. | 114 Willard Hall

 

ArtSci Drop-By

Graphic showing purple neon pizza and info about the Oct 10 2024 ArtSci Drop-byThu., Oct. 10 (rescheduled)
5-6:30 p.m. | Union Station by JP’s

Join us at this fun, informal social for all ArtSci faculty and staff! Hors d’oeuvres buffet provided!

 

Coffee Collab: Engagement

purple graphic showing foamy cup of coffee and info about Coffee Collab event

Tue., Oct. 8
10-11:30 a.m. | 110 Leasure Hall
Led by Dr. Mary Kohn, Director, Chapman Center for Rural Studies
RSVP and/or tell us about your engagement work by Oct. 4.

Network and learn about support for community engagement. Share ideas to boost engagement, learn about college and university resources, and identify needs to expand ongoing efforts.

Please tell us about your community engagement work even if you don’t plan to attend, so that we can recognize our college’s commitment—anything from fair exhibitions to multi-year engaged research. Use this survey to share your current or future engagement activities.

 

Tell your students!

Health Networking Night

Tue., Sept. 10 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Union Ballroom
Co-sponsored by the College of Health and Human Sciences

Students considering a career in physical therapy, medicine, EMS, public health, fitness or other health-related field should attend to meet health profession employers.

Also, watch for Helping Professions Networking Night Oct. 8.

 

Arts & Sciences Education Abroad Expo

Thu., Sept. 12 | 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. | Hale Library, Rm 181

Learn about education abroad opportunities. Visit with faculty members who lead short-term programs. Find out about scholarships, the Passport Center and more. Treats provided!

 

Other special events around the college

K-State Radio Centennial Celebration

collage of photos showing people involved in K-State's early years of radioFri., Sept. 13 | 10-11 a.m. | Radio Towers near Calvin Hall

The university will commemorate a century of “bringing the college to the people and the people to the college.”

 

Peterson Public Lecture featuring MIT astrophysicist

Photo of Dr. Nergis Mavalvala

Mon., Sept. 23
4:30 p.m. | 103 Cardwell Hall
Sponsor: Physics Department

“Gravitational Waves: A New Window to the Universe”

Dr. Nergis Mavalvala, dean of the School of Science and professor of astrophysics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Refreshments will be served at 4 p.m. in 119 Cardwell Hall.

 

Election Candidate Debates and Town Hall

collage of 3 election-related event flyers

State House Candidate Debate
Sept. 25 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Student Union Courtyard

Meet Rep. Sydney Carlin
Oct. 2 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Student Union Wildcat Chamber

State Senate Candidate Debate
Oct. 9 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Student Union Courtyard

The KSU Young Democrats, political science department, Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy (ICDD), and Riley County Republicans partnered to present debates and a town hall to learn about local candidates and voting.

Events will be streamed on ICDD’s YouTube channel.

 

K-State Theatre presents “Philoctetes”

Graphic showing statue of a man and info about the performance
Sept. 26-28 | 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 29 | 2:30 p.m.
Chapman Theatre, Nichols Hall

For nine long years, the Trojan War has been raging. The Greeks, desperate for victory and longing to return home, are informed by an oracle that defeating Troy is possible only through the return of Philoctetes, a skilled warrior, and his magical bow and arrow from exile.

 

From the Ashes: Printmaking, Preservation and Renewal conference

Graphic image showing black and gold sunflower and white text in middle of flower that says From the AshesWed.-Sun., Oct. 2-6 | Various locations around campus and Manhattan

This Mid America Print Council Conference, sponsored by the art department, will explore the relationship between printmakers and the natural environment. The public is welcome.

 

AI and the Future Symposium: Trust AI?

graphic showing two photos of peopleTue.-Thu., Oct. 15-17 | Campus venues and Manhattan Public Library

This free event features a variety of panels, lightning talks and workshops to help the K-State and Manhattan communities learn about artificial intelligence. It’s sponsored by the modern languages department, Hale Library and more.

 

Flint Hills Military History Symposium: War and Technology 2024

graphic showing a tank and airplanes in desertFri.-Sun, Oct. 18-20 | Locations in Manhattan and Fort Riley

The history department is partnering with Fort Riley Museums to present this symposium that bridges the gap between classroom and battlefield.

 

View all ArtSci events

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Posted on by marcia
K-State Libraries Faculty Breakfasts

K-State Libraries invites faculty to three breakfasts at Hale Library to learn about AI literacy and resources and services available to them for teaching, learning and research. Register via this Qualtrics form.

Free coffee, pastries and fruit will be served at this come-and-go event.

  • 8-9:30 a.m., Thu., Sept. 12, Hemisphere Room (Hale 581)
  • 8-9:30 a.m., Tue., Oct. 29, Dr. Susan K. Peterson Room (Hale 181)
  • 8-9:30 a.m., Tue., Dec. 17, Dr. Susan K. Peterson Room (Hale 181)

 

Teaching, Advising, Staff and Student Research Awards available!

College of Arts and Sciences awards and scholarships are available for outstanding faculty, staff and students! Nominate, apply and encourage others to apply for our college’s Gaches, Stamey and Maggio teaching, advising and staff awards as well as undergraduate research awards. Applications and nominations are due Nov. 1.

 

K-State internal grants and awards

Johnson Cancer Research Center
Competitive research funding for faculty and students
Due Tue., Oct. 1

Chapman Center for Rural Studies
Interdisciplinary Research Grant
Pre-proposal due Fri., Oct. 25

Office of Research Development
Faculty Development Awards and University Small Research Grants
Due Mon., Oct. 7

  • Faculty Development Award: Support for travel to international meetings or to meet with program officers from potential external sponsors. For travel/projects occurring Jan. 1 to June 30, apply in the fall. For travel/projects occurring July 1 to Dec. 31, apply in spring.
  • University Small Research Grants: Seed grants to support early research, scholarly activity and other creative efforts

NEED TO KNOW

Posted on by marcia
University guidance on free expression

Image of K-Staters gathered and one person holding a sign that says "We're strong when we stand together #KSUnite"As a higher education institution, where thousands of perspectives and viewpoints convene, we provide space for civil conversations and discourse to express and learn from each other.

Please see the university’s latest policies, guidance and resources related to free speech and expressive activity.

 

No classes on Wildcat Pause Day

Fri., Oct. 11
This is a break for students. The university is open but there should be no classes or assignments. Learn more.

GREETINGS FROM THE DEAN!

Posted on by marcia

Dr. Chris Culbertson, Dean of K-State's College of Arts and SciencesDear Colleagues,

I hope you had a great summer and are excited for the 2024-2025 academic year! We want you to have everything you need to thrive. In this and future newsletters, you’ll find useful information, resources and updates about our college and events. We are planning some fun and informative activities for staff and faculty and hope you’ll join us.

Coming up first is our Arts and Sciences Welcome Social at 4 p.m. today, Wed., Aug. 14, in the Alumni Center Tointon Great Room. All staff and faculty members are invited to come catch up with colleagues and meet new faculty members before classes begin. We’ll provide refreshments and the marching band will entertain us as they rehearse in Memorial Stadium!

We also hope you’ll join in at least one of our three ArtSci Drop-By events this semester. All college staff and faculty members are invited to this casual get-together following the Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7 faculty meetings. More details are below.

Watch for our Coffee Collabs, too. They offer an opportunity to learn from university partners and network with colleagues who have similar interests or roles as you.

Lastly, please consider joining in the faculty meetings. We want your input. This semester, we’ll be working on the college strategic plan, developing a workload policy, giving feedback on the new strategic enrollment plan, finding ways to increase efficiencies, and discussing new IT policies.

We continue to work hard to improve our systems and policies, communicate better with everyone in the college, and set the college up for success. If you ever need anything, please contact my office at asdeans@k-state.edu. Your input is valued.

Respectfully,

Chris Culbertson, Dean
Professor of Chemistry

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Posted on by marcia
Upcoming events
  • New Faculty Welcome
    Wed, Aug. 14 | 3-4 p.m. | Alumni Center Purple Pride Room
    Orientation for new faculty members
  • Arts and Sciences Welcome Social
    Wed., Aug. 14 | 4-5 p.m. | Alumni Center Tointon Great Room
    Social for all     ArtSci faculty and staff to reconnect with colleagues and meet new faculty members as we kick off the new academic year!
  • ArtSci Drop-By
    Thu., Sept. 5 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Union Station by JP’s
    Informal social gathering for all ArtSci faculty and staff
Tell your students! – Week of Welcome Ice Cream Social

Wed., Aug. 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Calvin Hall Lawn
ArtSci students are invited to meet fellow students and college leadership while enjoying Call Hall ice cream!

Faculty Meetings

First Thursday of every month | 4-5 p.m. | 114 Willard Hall (in fall)
All faculty and staff are welcome, but only faculty members who are eligible to vote in elections for Faculty Senate may vote.

  • Sept. 5
  • Oct. 3
  • Nov. 7
  • Dec. 5
  • Feb. 6
  • March 6
  • April 3
  • May 1  
Important dates
Share your department’s events!

We encourage you to tell us about your department’s events and add them to K-State’s event calendar on Localist. Tag the college in your event entry, under Departments, if you want the event to populate to the college’s event calendar and homepage. To share events with us or get help submitting events to Localist, contact Marcia Locke, marcia@ksu.edu.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Posted on by marcia
Faculty and staff resources

Many policies, forms, awards and other resources are accessible on the college’s Faculty and Staff Resources page, located under our ‘About’ tab.

Nominate an ArtSci coworker for the Staff Spotlight Award!

Show off our college’s great staff members by nominating them for the university’s Staff Spotlight Award! This monthly award honors university support and professional staff for their excellent service to the K-State community. Winners are featured in K-State Today and receive $100 from the President’s Office. Anyone can nominate eligible employees. Nominations are due by the first of each month.

Mentor an Arts and Sciences student!

Consider helping our students transition from college to career by serving as a mentor in our ArtSci Mentorship Program! We invite faculty, staff and alums from all professions to participate. There is special interest in biology, chemistry, data science, economics, graphic design, health and law/legal.

The fall 2024 program begins Sept. 9 and ends in December. Apply by Sept. 2. Create a WildcatLink account and request membership in the ArtSci Mentorship Program. Once approved, you’ll receive emails via the WildcatLink platform regarding orientation and next steps.

To learn more, contact the program’s coordinator, Zac Malcolm, at malcoz@ksu.edu, and read this story about some mentors and why they do it. 

TIMELY REMINDERS FROM HUMAN RESOURCES

Posted on by marcia

9-Month Employees

Your first paycheck will deposit 9/13/2024. The last paycheck of the academic year will deposit 6/6/2025. Pay periods and pay dates for the academic year can be found below.

Conflict of Interest

All full-time faculty and unclassified staff and other employees who have potential or possible conflicts of interest or time commitment must disclose relevant significant financial interest. Please complete your Conflict of Interest form as soon as possible. Log into HRIS -> Employee Self Service -> Personal Information -> Conflict of Interest. We will begin sending reminder emails to all who have not completed theirs August 30.

HealthQuest Reminder

To receive your premium discount for 2025 health insurance, you are required to earn 40 credits before 12/31/2024.

  • Once you’ve earned 40 credits, print the page from your HealthQuest portal, accessible on the State of Kansas HealthQuest page.
  • You’ll need to set up a new account if you haven’t done so yet in 2024.
  • Enter your employee ID.

More information is on K-State’s HealthQuest page.

Hiring a Student Employee (Shared Services departments only)

It is important that student employees complete hiring paperwork before they begin working. Complete the Student Hire form, have your department head sign and date it, and then send it to ashumanresources@ksu.edu. We will work as quickly as we can to get your student hired.

Email Addresses to know if your department uses Shared Services

Accounting-related inquiries (purchase orders, travel, BPC, reimbursements, etc.): sscas@ksu.edu

HR-related inquires (how to view paycheck, change tax allowances and update retirement; health insurance info; etc.): ashumanresources@ksu.edu

Time and leave reporting or help: astime@ksu.edu

 

2024–2025 Paid Holidays

9/2/2024          Labor Day Holiday

11/11/2024      Veterans Day Holiday*

11/28/2024      Thanksgiving Holiday

11/29/2024      Thanksgiving Holiday

Continue reading “TIMELY REMINDERS FROM HUMAN RESOURCES” →

PERSONNEL CHANGES

Posted on by marcia

Many personnel changes have occurred in the Dean’s Office and among our department heads since late spring. Congratulations to all who were hired, appointed and promoted!

Dean’s Office core leadership changes
Dean’s Office support staff new positions
Dean’s Office support staff promotions
  • Elli Archer, Academic Advising Practices Administrator
  • Sonya Baker, Curriculum Integrity Manager
  • Jami Harrison, Degree Analyst
  • Lori LaVezzi, Assistant Director of Student Services
  • Becky O’Donnell, Manager of Curriculum Development
  • Kaela Urquhart, Assistant Director of Interdisciplinary Programs

(announcement of all)

Department head changes