And some unsolicited advice…
Hello, Arts and Sciences Students!
Welcome to Fall 2025 at K-State! We’re so glad to have you in the College of Arts and Sciences, a place where you can explore various interests and gain real-world experience and employer-valued skills. We hope you have a great year!
We are here to help you make that happen. Watch for monthly newsletters like this to stay informed about helpful resources, exciting opportunities, and fun and informative events.
As we welcome our newest students to K-State and our established students back, we hope you’ll appreciate a few words of wisdom on making the most out of college. Take it from us—we’ve been around a while!
Sincerely,
Chris Culbertson, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Professor of Chemistry
Advice: It’s ok to change your mind. Explore different interests. I changed my major 5 times before graduating in chemistry.
Get involved in the community off-campus. It’ll broaden your experiences and opportunities. When I was a student, I got involved with an aquarium and eventually was trained in scuba diving.
Scott Tanona, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Planning, Professor of Philosophy
Advice: Be ready to learn from failure. There was a time when I wasn’t doing well in school due to a variety of issues, and I let my fear of failure get in the way of owning up to what was happening. Honest acceptance is important…and hard.
In both science and life, we’re not really learning unless we accept when our hypotheses or beliefs are wrong or unuseful. The best classroom learning often happens when students share what isn’t working and explore alternative solutions or approaches.
Mary Cain, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, Professor in Psychological Sciences
Advice: Try new things and take opportunities. I started out focused on pre-med. And then I took Intro to Neuroscience and loved it. I got a neuroscience research opportunity and that was it—totally changed my life trajectory.
Christie Launius, Associate Dean for Student Success, Engagement and Undergraduate Studies, Professor in Social Transformation Studies
Advice: Do something that scares you or might be “off-brand” for you. I got involved with a UPC-like organization, helping coordinate entertainment at my university. I had to introduce speakers in front of large audiences, which was totally out of my comfort zone. But as a result, I gained skills and confidence I never pictured having.
Kimathi Choma, Assistant Dean for Student Success, College Health Initiatives, and Retention
Advice: Find opportunities to work with others to gain teamwork experience. Participate in study abroad or gain other cross-cultural experience and meet people who are different from you. Look for leadership opportunities like serving as a club officer or in student government.
Ben Stark, Assistant Dean for Infrastructure and Faculty Support, Professor of Theatre
Advice: Be in charge of your own path. Find ways to do what you want. Be persistent and stubborn. Create the opportunities you want if they don’t already exist. I pursued a theatre teaching certificate for a semester, and then the program was canceled. But it was for the best because it allowed me to focus on other opportunities like an English degree and entrepreneurship certificate.