May 21, 2024
Celebrating K-State Research and Extension Local Unit Office Professionals
April showers have certainly brought May flowers, and we find ourselves in the middle of a month with the busyness of preparing for spring and summer extension activities and events.
As we embrace the warmer weather of May and its promise of growth and renewal, it’s time to turn our attention to the dedicated professionals at the heart of our K-State Research and Extension local unit offices.
Today, our office professionals are gathering on the Kansas State University campus for a statewide training, so it seems appropriate to pause and reflect on the valuable contributions they make to the university and our local communities.
At the forefront of every local extension office is an office professional who serves as the first line of interaction between the university and the community. They are the welcoming faces, the empathetic listeners, and the organizational wizards who ensure that the gears of extension work smoothly, efficiently and effectively. I am lucky to have worked with -- and continue to work with -- some of the best OP’s a person could hope for, and I am confident each of them has made me a better person.
These professionals are some of our best examples of K-State’s commitment to serving the needs of Kansans. Their manners and professionalism are valued for their importance to the image and local office reputation throughout our communities. The patience and understanding they have to help clientele connect with their agents to solve problems, are some of their greatest strengths.
As they gather May 21-22 for a statewide training on the K-State campus, we extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to these valuable members of the K-State Research and Extension family. We are grateful for their dedication, efforts and impact on the lives of countless Kansans.
To our office professionals, regardless if you are on campus or not today: You are more than just colleagues; you are valued and essential and we appreciate you more than you know.
If you are here, we hope your time in Manhattan will be both enriching and rejuvenating, and that you return to your local units inspired, equipped and reassured of your vital importance to the university and our state. If you remained in your local unit, we appreciate your dedication, and look forward to connecting with you soon.
Thank you all for being on the K-State Research and Extension team!