Kansas State University

As graduate degree holders with backgrounds and careers involving research, we know many of you enjoy data. Data tell us the face of the graduate student is changing.

Long gone are the days of students completing a four-year degree and then going right into a graduate program. Now it is more common for a student to earn an undergraduate degree (with many taking less than four years), head into the workforce, and then return to school to advance their education.

This holds true at Kansas State University.

Continue reading “Data corner: Today’s graduate student” →

Jack Sytsma exudes passion, energy and a friendly disposition. And it is those qualities, and many more, that are driving him to become a college professor following his graduation in a few semesters.

With an eye toward teaching biology at the university level, in August 2021, Sytsma made the move from his home state of Iowa to K-State to pursue his master’s degree to do more research and expand his knowledge base. Last year, as he neared the end of his master’s work, Sytsma decided to continue at K-State for a doctoral degree.

“There were a few things that drew me to K-State originally,” Sytsma said. “One would be the opportunities that are provided by the university, my advisor and the research I am getting involved with, but also the teaching opportunities.”

Continue reading “Biology student finds passion for research and teaching in graduate school” →

The statistics shared in the Data corner tells us that female students, students enrolled part-time, and students aged 25 and older form a great percentage of our student population.

Dr. CharMaine Hines, who earned a Doctor of Education in community college leadership from K-State in 2021, is an example of a professional returning to school after several years in the work place to advance her education and profession.

Hines earned three degrees from Eastern Michigan University and began working at private universities, major public research universities and colleges within the state of Michigan before embarking on her doctoral education at Kansas State.

Continue reading “Alumni spotlight” →

Graduate faculty play a critical role in the success of our graduate students. To recognize graduate faculty who excel in mentoring graduate students, the Graduate School established the Graduate Faculty Mentor Award in the 2023-2024 academic year. Dr. Charles Rice, university distinguished professor of agronomy, was one of the inaugural award recipients.

Rice has been a faculty member at K-State since 1988 after earning a bachelor’s degree at Northern Illinois and then a master’s and Ph.D. both from the University of Kentucky. In his professional career, he has made significant contributions both through his research and his mentoring of graduate students.

Continue reading “Excellence in faculty mentoring, a driver for student success” →

We want to connect with you and keep you engaged with current graduate student and graduate faculty activities. You are invited to join us at events this academic year (fall 2023 and spring 2024). Here are events that may be of most interest to you.

• Research and the State graduate student poster session – October 24
• Three Minute Thesis Competition – February 2024
• Capitol Graduate Research Summit – March 2024
• K-State Graduate Research, Arts, and Discovery Forum – March 2024
• Distinguished Graduate Faculty Lectures – one each fall and spring
• Graduate Student and Faculty Recognition Celebration – April 28, 2024

Stay tuned for final dates and more information about these events via our website and social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram), or contact us at grad@ksu.edu or 785-532-6191.

In the Graduate School, we hear regularly from students that they, just like many working adults, encounter challenges in making ends meet, putting healthy food on the table or paying health-related expenses. These challenges impact student physical and mental well-being, in turn negatively impacting academic success.

In the last year, we have been advancing our fundraising efforts to not only address unmet needs of graduate students and support their journey towards graduation but to also recognize their successes and contributions through awards, scholarships, and fellowships.

We hope you will join us in this effort. Visit our giving page to learn more about the ways you can contribute and make a gift to support K-State graduate students. As an alum, you are an important member of the K-State community. Your commitment and support are essential to enhancing the scholarly experiences for our graduate students.