Kansas State University has an extensive tradition of serving those who serve to include officers attending the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) at Fort Leavenworth. Future Army leaders are selected to attend CGSC, many of whom pursue their graduate degrees from an on-post master’s degree provider. Since 1998 over a 1000 CGSC attendees have completed K-State degrees on post. In December, the Graduate School honored and celebrated the upcoming graduation of 23 master’s degree graduates and 2 doctoral students from our Fort Leavenworth graduate programs in adult, occupational and continuing education, history and security studies.
“The Graduate School and the Colleges of Education and Arts and Sciences were pleased to host the graduation celebration for our Fort Leavenworth students who worked diligently to complete requirements for both CGSC and their K-State graduate degrees”, Dr. Carol Shanklin, Dean of the Graduate School, said. “We extend our sincere wishes for continued success to these graduates and their families as graduates assume leadership roles in their new assignments.”
“The partnership with the Command and General Staff College, like any other academic partnership, creates critical opportunities for our students and faculty to learn from each other, enriching both programs by adding a diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives to the classroom,” said Dr. Peter Dorhout, dean of the college of Arts & Sciences – home to the Security Studies program. “Our goal isn’t to train students for jobs, but rather to prepare them for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and career development – I want them to ask questions, develop opinions, and test their ideas. CGSC and K-State complement each other very nicely.”
Soldiers report their decision to pursue a graduate degree from Kansas State University is based on its national reputation and academic rigor. An on-going commitment to maintain this academic excellence in graduate programs at Fort Leavenworth by university administrators has been pivotal.
“It is both an honor and privilege to serve the military leaders who serve our nation, Dr. Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education said-home to the adult education program. “It is immensely gratifying to know that the concepts and theories espoused in our rigorous program are of great value and benefit to the Army, especially when considering the importance of their work.”
Dr. Cheryl Polson, Associate Dean of Graduate School and Director of Fort Leavenworth Graduate Programs and Outreach noted that currently five K-State Fort Leavenworth alumni are active duty general officers, all of whom continue to convey how important their K-State degree programs have been in shaping their lives and their leadership. Additionally, she highlighted the reciprocal impact these graduates have had on K-State faculty. “It truly is a privilege for K-State faculty to have the opportunity to be one small piece of our graduates success as military leaders.”