Kansas State University

KSRE 2024 Annual Conference

Submitted by Brian Olson

KSRE 2024 Annual Conference

Every year, the K-State Research and Extension Annual Conference is where we come together as an organization to discuss new initiatives, visit with colleagues, and welcome new team members to Kansas State University.

This year’s conference will be October 22-24 and is no different in its intent to deliver on these goals, but with some changes to the conference agenda.

The theme is Catalysts of Tomorrow: Pioneering Change. I want to thank the annual conference committee for developing this theme as it crystalizes how we are moving forward. Kansas State University is undergoing change, as detailed in the Next-Gen Strategic Plan, which elevates engagement across the university and defines areas in which KSRE can play a prominent role in this change.

That said, change can be unsettling, so it is important to keep in mind that KSRE has evolved over the years from where it started, to where it currently is, to what it needs to be in the future.

Catalysts of tomorrow refers to bringing forth ideas, facilitating discussion, and educating the public on how to embrace the future by pioneering change in our communities. This change is a process, and the evolution of KSRE will move forward at a pace that will not be as fast as some want -- but too fast for others. The important part is that we are moving forward to meet the needs of the Kansans we serve.

One major change for the KSRE annual conference will be a major push to have more involvement with tenure and non-tenure track faculty from across the College of Agriculture as well as other university colleges.

Tim Steffensmeier, the assistant vice president and director of outreach and engagement, is facilitating this effort through his team. In addition, there has been an emphasis in the College of Agriculture to have specialists and applied researchers attend. In the end, there may be 50 to 100 more people attending the annual conference than there was last year, which elevates extension and the collaboration with research across the university.

The following are highlights from the conference agenda, and information on how to register.

• Monday, October 21: Pre-conference activities.
  
  • Specialists are coordinating these activities. The annual conference website will have a list of these activities, but participants should coordinate with the specialist in charge of a specific event.
• Tuesday, October 22: First day of the conference.
  • In the morning, there will be a discussion of benefits, a session with Network Kansas, and two social events for agents and specialists to attend and connect with colleagues.
  • In the afternoon, the primary focus will be on Program Focus Teams and Transdisciplinary Teams programmatic discussions. Please make sure to indicate you will participate in a PFT session when you register.
  • In the evening, the awards reception will be held at the West End Zone in the football stadium, similar to the 2023 Conference.
• Wednesday, October 23: Second day of the conference.
• There will be administrative updates from Executive Vice President Marshall Stewart and Associate Dean Jane Schuh in the morning followed by a summary of the community conversations by Assistant Vice President and Director for Extension Gregg Hadley and Assistant Vice President Tim Steffensmeier.
• A World Café will be convened in the afternoon to discuss the themes of the community conversations and how best KSRE can move forward to address these themes.
• Agent Association events will be held in the evening like previous conferences.
• Thursday, October 24: Final day of the conference.
• There will be a short recap of the World Café in the morning followed by the Agent Association meetings starting at 10:00 am.

I want to thank the members of the annual conference committee: Jennifer Wilson, Laurie Chandler, Sarah Keatley, David Key, Jamie Rathbun, Jessica Flory, Kelsey Hatesohl, Rick Peterson, Mirna Bonilla, Sonya Murphy, Cheryl Boyer, and incoming 2025 Chair, Mark Wilkins for their input and willingness to try something a little different with the agenda. The team is looking forward to welcoming you to the 2024 annual conference in October.

To register, please click on the following link - KSRE Annual Conference. Sarah Keatley has been leading this effort in coordinating requests with the K-State Student Union and the website. She will also provide information to registrants on parking.

Thank you and see you in Manhattan!

Brian Olson
2024 Annual Conference Committee Chair