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Summer 2023

 

Dean's Message

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Dr. BehnkeAs interim Dean, it is my privilege to introduce myself, give an update on our plans to address the rapidly changing landscape of higher education and provide college updates. Firstly, I would like to thank our outgoing Interim Dean, Craig Harms, for his leadership and support of the college.

I am a native Kansan, a K-State graduate and a professor in Kinesiology. I have been involved with college and university leadership at K-State, West Virginia University, Texas A&M University and the University of Florida. I moved back to Manhattan in the late fall of 2014 with my wife, a veterinarian from the University of Florida, to contribute to the excellence of K-State and raise our children in Kansas.

 

Melinda Markham selected to permanently lead Applied Human Sciences

Dr. MarkhamMelinda (Mindy) Markham has been appointed permanent department head for the Department of Applied Human Sciences. Markham was the interim department head for a year and a half before this appointment.

Markham joined K-State in 2008 as the coordinator for the undergraduate Family Studies and Human Services program on the Polytechnic campus. In 2016, she moved to the Manhattan campus as an associate professor to join department where she was appointed as graduate program coordinator for the applied family science program. From 2018 to 2021, she served as the associate department head for academic affairs.

 

Cornelison to lead K-State Center on Aging through interim position

Laci CornelisonLaci Cornelison has been named interim director for the K-State Center on Aging, effective June 1.

Cornelison has served in multiple roles within the center since joining the staff in 2007. She is currently the program coordinator for PEAK 2.0, where she is able to lend her voice as both a researcher and advocate. PEAK, Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas, is a Medicaid pay-for-performance incentive program housed in the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and administered by the K-State Center on Aging. The program is a one-of-a-kind, aggressive pay-for-performance program that financially rewards homes that demonstrate implementation of person-centered care. The program focused on five domains essential to person-centered care including the foundation, resident choice, staff empowerment, home environment and meaningful life. Cornelison has coordinated the program since 2013.

 

Celebrate the college’s 150-year anniversary by becoming a mentor

Student and mentorIn celebration of the college’s 150-year anniversary, the College of Health and Human Sciences is looking to add 150 new mentors to our professional mentor database.

Started in 2014, the professional mentoring program links current Health and Human Sciences students with successful alumni and friends of the college. Current students enroll in the program and are then matched with a mentor by our career development coordinator. Matches are based on career field, location, major and interests.

 

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