Next-Gen K-State Olathe

Academic Innovation

• The campus was awarded an academic innovation grant by the university to support work to develop a new Bachelor of Science in Applied and Interdisciplinary Studies, which is designed to enable students with an Associate of Applied Science transfer up to 75 credit hours and complete a bachelor's degree from K-State.

Build a Next-Gen Workforce

• A Week of Wellness recently was implemented for K-State Olathe team members to promote mental and physical health. In addition, a benefits fair was held onsite for the first time to increase access to resources.

Impactful Student Experience

• The Student Success team relaunched its Cats' Cupboard that provides non-perishable food items to students who are suffering from food insecurity. The team also put into place fundraisers to help support the service.

Engagement Across All We Do

• The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is considering a proposal from K-State Olathe to provide the scientific review for new animal food ingredient submissions. The collaboration would mean reviews that are twice as fast as the service previously provided by the FDA, which allows industry to move forward with product development in a more timely manner.

Discovery, Innovation and Scholarship

• K-State's Olathe Campus and its College of Engineering are recipients of two U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation Grants, totaling more than $3 million. The K-State team will engage with associations, industry and governmental agencies to improve the National CDL Program and make roadways safer. 

Jobs and Economies of Tomorrow

• Construction is set to begin in November on the campus' new Smart Manufacturing and Bulk Solids Technology Center that will support the growing manufacturing industry in Johnson County and the region.

Operationalizing a Dynamic Strategic Plan

This summer, the plan has been refreshed by action groups, including the addition of timelines and assignments by tactic. It is now posted to an internal campus site so the process is transparent and progress can be easily tracked. In addition, a commitment was made to ongoing updates to key stakeholders. Below are updates by strategic theme:

Accelerate Academic Innovation to Meet the Needs of Students and Lifelong Learners

• The Office of the Provost launched a new Academic Innovation Fund to invest up to $1 million in new academic programs. K-State Olathe submitted a proposal for a new B.A. in Applied Interdisciplinary Studies and received $89,000 in funding to jumpstart degree development.
• In June, the Industry Analytics track of the Master of Science in Applied Biosciences was approved and will be available in Fall 2025. Students can take many of the courses now, as the track is built on existing data analytics and sensory courses.

Build and Sustain the Next-Gen, Land-Grant Workforce

• Leveraging the space utilization audit, teams and individuals with similar functions were co-located to increase collaboration and efficiencies.
• In Fiscal Year 2025, all K-State Olathe team members will participate in professional development to ensure individuals can further develop skills needed for continued success.

Deliver an Unmatched and Impactful Student Experience

• The campus opened its new Student Success Center in May to increase access to resources, including dedicated study and proctoring spaces, success coaches and the Cats' Cupboard.
• The campus' first study abroad trip was held in May. Twelve students traveled across the U.K. with faculty to deepen understanding of animal health and enhance critical-thinking skills.

Drive Transformational Discovery, Innovation and Scholarship

• Jonathon McPherson is the new director for the Bulk Solids Technology Center to help oversee the space development, grow fee-for-service research and support training programs.
• Eleni Pliakoni, professor of urban food systems, is leading a group to help shape the direction of the campus' Food as Medicine and Community Health initiative in close collaboration with K-State 105.
• George Yang joins as the teaching professor of engineering and technology. He is developing new undergraduate engineering programs that align with the advanced manufacturing and supply chain initiative of the strategic plan.
• The blueprint and details are being finalized for a greenhouse on campus that will expand research opportunities and support academic learning. It is expected to be done in late 2024.

Integrate Engagement Across All We Do

• Debbie Kirchhoff and Ben Wolfe are meeting with federal and state elected officials and other key stakeholders to share the vision for the new building. There is strong support to help secure the necessary funding for the new building.
• Partnering with federal lawmakers, the campus hosted the Kansas Small Business Summit to connect businesses with resources.

Invest in the Jobs and Economies of Tomorrow

• Final design of the new advanced manufacturing center is underway. The plan is to break ground in October and complete the project by mid-2025.
• An initial bulks solids testing and research lab will be setup by October and utilized until the new advanced manufacturing center and labs are completed.