Letter from Dean and CEO Ben Wolfe: Olathe Campus marks progress toward strategic goals

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

 

Dear K-State Community:

As we reach the midpoint of the spring semester, I want to share some exciting updates on our progress toward the K-State Olathe campus-level imperatives and key initiatives outlined in the Next-Gen strategic plan. We've set ambitious goals, and I’m proud to say that we are making meaningful strides in several critical areas.

Here are some highlights of our progress:

• Academic Innovation: This fall, the Olathe campus will undergo a transformation with the renaming of its academic division. The School of Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies will become the College of Applied and Professional Studies. While the structure, policies and current partnerships remain unchanged, this name change better aligns our academic offerings with the needs of the Greater Kansas City metro area, particularly adult learners. It also allows us to integrate professional and continuing education with for-credit programming, providing a more seamless experience for our students.

• Enhancing the Student Experience: Ensuring that our students have the resources they need to succeed is a top priority. Our Student Success team has done great work collaborating with and extending the reach of the Cats’ Cupboard, to help combat food insecurity on our campus. Thanks to the university’s established partnership with Harvesters Food Bank, we are now able to provide ongoing access to nutritious food for students, faculty and staff members in need here at the Olathe campus. This collaboration further strengthens our commitment to the well-being of the K-State Olathe community.

• Engagement in All We Do: We continue to make impactful contributions to the industries we serve. For example, the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) approved K-State Olathe's proposal to lead the scientific review for a new animal food ingredient submission pathway. This pathway replaces AAFCO's previous Ingredient Definition Request process in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration, ensuring that K-State remains at the forefront of regulatory and scientific advancements in the field.

• Preparing for Jobs of the Future: Looking ahead, we are excited to offer a new lineup of advanced manufacturing short courses in 2025. These courses will equip industry professionals with the knowledge and practical skills they need to thrive in manufacturing, no matter their role. This initiative reinforces our commitment to providing training that align with our region’s workforce needs. Our campus also is opening its Advanced Technology and Bulk Solids Technology Center this summer to better support the training and industry’s need for research and testing.

I want to express my gratitude to our university leadership and partners for their continued support in helping us achieve these goals. Together, we are making great progress and proving that we are truly One K-State. As we continue pushing forward toward the Next-Gen vision, there is much more to come.

Go ‘Cats,
Ben Wolfe, Ph.D.
Dean and CEO | K-State Olathe