Message from the Dean
Dear K-State alumni, friends and supporters,
I am thrilled to share with you our new Graduate School newsletter, the Graduate Gazette! As we kick off the Fall 2024 semester, this newsletter marks the beginning of an exciting new way to stay connected, informed, and engaged with all the latest happenings and accomplishments within our graduate community.
As we embark on this new semester together, we invite you to actively participate in the many events we have. We also invite you to share your experiences, successes, and suggestions with us. Our goal is to create a platform that reflects the dynamic, innovative, and collaborative spirit of K-State Graduate School.
Here’s to a semester filled with discovery, growth, and success!
Sincerely,
Claudia Petrescu, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School
Student, Faculty, and Alumni Spotlight
Doctoral student embraces the value of interdisciplinary research and relationship building
Amirsalar Bagheri is a PhD candidate in chemical engineering from the city of Tehran, the capital of Iran. Amirsalar chose to advance his education at Kansas State University for its alignment with his research interests and the expertise of its faculty. The strong culture of multidisciplinary research at K-State further motivated him to join the graduate program.
Amirsalar’s research centers on applying machine learning to process systems, particularly in chemical, food, and agricultural processes. His interest in this field is rooted in his passion for both computer science and chemical engineering. After self-studying computer science fundamentals during his undergraduate years, he sought a program that would allow him to merge his skills in these two areas. K-State's flexible and resource-rich environment has enabled him to develop a unique research path that leverages both disciplines. Amirsalar has been active in the graduate community presenting his research at different events such as Research and the State and Three Minute Thesis. He was one of the 10 graduate students selected to participate in the Capitol Graduate Research Summit.
Amirsalar aims to conduct innovative research that could lead to a career in academia or industry. He is especially interested in how multidisciplinary research can influence industries and communities. The graduate experience at K-State, with its specialized courses, research projects, and career development opportunities, is preparing him to achieve these goals by expanding his academic and industry networks.
This summer, Amirsalar completed an internship with Black & Veatch in Kansas City. This experience provided him with industry insights that enhanced his research perspective. It also reaffirmed the relevance of his work at K-State and its potential impact on real-world applications.
Amirsalar encourages graduate students to embrace interdisciplinary research and seek opportunities aligned with their long-term goals. He advises building a strong network across different departments, engaging in internships, and making full use of available resources. His experience at K-State demonstrates the value of being proactive and open-minded in shaping a successful graduate career.
Amirsalar accredits his success to the K-State faculty who have mentored him and fostered an environment for success. He says "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Pourkargar for his outstanding guidance and support in my research at K-State's Chemical Engineering Department. His mentorship has been instrumental in shaping my research journey. I also want to thank Dr. Anthony, the department head, and Dr. Amama, the graduate program director, for providing an environment that supports academic excellence and interdisciplinary research, making K-State the ideal place for me to pursue my graduate studies."
A graduate faculty member’s unexpected journey to K-State and research career in plant pathology
Dr. Rupp’s journey to becoming a faculty member at Kansas State University is a story of discovery, determination, and a passion for plant pathology that has had a lasting impact on both her students and the field of agriculture.
Dr. Rupp’s academic journey began at Pittsburg State University, where she initially pursued a nursing degree. However, a chance conversation with her chemistry professor changed her trajectory. “My professor noticed I had a knack for chemistry and encouraged me to switch majors, mentioning the abundance of scholarships available,” Dr. Rupp recalls. Despite having no initial connection to agriculture, as she delved deeper into her studies, she discovered a passion for plant pathology—a field that would soon define her career.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in chemistry and biology from Pittsburg State University, Dr. Rupp chose Kansas State University for her graduate education. “I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and K-State was the top school that appeared in my search,” she explains. With clear goals in mind, she even named the professor she wanted to work with in her application cover letter. Upon acceptance, Dr. Rupp quickly immersed herself in research and campus life, guided by her major professors. This involvement not only bolstered her professional skills but also provided essential social support through student groups, a resource not as common at the time.
After completing her doctorate in plant pathology at K-State, Dr. Rupp realized her true calling was not in a lab which led her to pursue a career at Montana State University. Not long after being at Montana State she was contacted by Dr. Marty Draper, who encouraged Rupp to apply for a position at K-State. Dr. Rupp is now an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, where she researches wheat pathogens that cause significant economic damage to wheat producers.
Dr. Rupp’s impact at K-State extends beyond her research. She has mentored two Ph.D. students and one master’s student, and her mentorship role doesn’t end at graduation. “I have regular phone calls, Zoom meetings, and even hosted a Zoom Christmas party with former mentees,” she shares. Dr. Rupp values the mutual learning that occurs in these relationships, stating, “I learn just as much from them as they have learned from me.” She encourages her students to take ownership of their projects, helping them develop ideas, present justifications for funding, and grow into independent researchers.
Dr. Rupp’s dedication to her field was recently recognized when she received the Early Career Award from the North Central American Phytopathology Society. This prestigious award honors plant pathologists with ten years or fewer of postgraduate experience, recognizing their contributions to discovery, learning, and engagement in plant pathology. “This award is special to me as it highlights the majority of my work from my time at K-State and shows how my peers value my work,” Dr. Rupp reflects. To date, she has secured $3.2 million in grants, with $1 million directly supporting her program.
Dr. Rupp’s journey from an unexpected switch in majors to becoming an award-winning researcher and mentor at Kansas State University is a testament to the power of following one’s passion and the impact of dedicated mentorship. Her work continues to shape the future of plant pathology, and her commitment to her students ensures that her legacy will be felt for generations to come.
Master’s alum finds passion for financial therapy, is founder of two businesses
When Nathan Astle entered graduate school at Kansas State University, the goal was simple: earn a master’s in couple and family therapy. Little did he know he would find his true passion in financial therapy. “I really found financial therapy as a home in grad school,” Nathan recalls. By the end of the program, he knew without a doubt that this was the career path to follow.
K-State’s Powercat Financial program offered Nathan his first exposure to financial therapy, turning a mere interest into a deep passion, but naturally, there is a lot of intersection between the couple and family therapy program and financial therapy which made it easy to pursue. Mental health and therapy are complex fields, and Nathan found himself naturally drawn to exploring the intersections with financial health. “I knew I was interested in how mental health and financial therapy interact, and they do not interact as much as they should,” he notes. K-State provided the resources and opportunities to dive deep into this intersection, all within a supportive and open community.
With a cohort of just 10-12 people, the couple and family therapy program at K-State offered a uniquely intimate learning environment. “I felt like I was learning to be a therapist in an intimate way with those people and the small group interactions were not just educational but deeply meaningful,” making the experience at K-State special.
After completing his time at K-State, Nathan stayed in Manhattan working at a local mental health practice. Not long after, he took the risk of opening his own clinic which was very successful as he was 1 of 6 who specialized in couples which helped him gain a good client base. From there, Nathan moved to Kansas City where he secured a consultant job for a large debt resolution company and then started two of his own businesses, Relational Money and Financial Therapy Clinical Institute.
Networking has been a key component of Nathan’s journey, both during and after grad school. “I’m pretty good at making connections, but I think after grad school and becoming a thought leader in this space, I have something worth saying,” Nathan reflects. His advice for current students? Don’t wait until you have years of experience to share your voice. The connections made in grad school can be the foundation for a successful career.
For those considering the family and couples therapy program, Nathan emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and bravery. “Be kind to yourself and be brave: no one learns everything right at once,” he advises. School offers a safe and structured environment, but it's crucial not to internalize too much pressure.
Nathan is open to connecting with anyone on professional development and financial therapy. To learn more about Nathan and his work, visit his LinkedIn page.
The Graduate School and the K-State graduate community is thrilled to have an Inaugural Graduate Advisory Board. The 10 members of the Board are strong supporters of K-State's graduate education, graduate students, and graduate programs. They are strong community members and supporters of K-State. The Advisory Board is a partner to the Graduate School and to Dean Petrescu in supporting the mission of advancing graduate education, serving graduate students and faculty, and connecting graduate constituents in the larger community.
Data CoRNER
This success is grounded firmly on your shoulders as alumni and stakeholders of our programs. In our upcoming newsletter, we will share more exciting information about new programs, courses, and curriculum implemented this year to meet the needs of our constituents and workforce. We are constantly evolving to align our offerings in hopes of increasing the economic prosperity throughout Kansas and the region. Thank you for all you do, and we look forward to sharing more of the successes of the Graduate School moving forward.
new graduate student welcome and orientation
On August 14th The Graduate School hosted two new student orientation sessions. 150 students attended in-person, and 110 attended virtually.
A panel of graduate faculty, master’s, and doctoral students shared their experiences with the students, providing advice on navigating graduate school and creating a balanced student-life experience.
- Dr. Phillip Payne, Graduate School Associate Dean
- Dr. Peying Fong, Professor in Anatomy and Physiology
- Dr. Lisa Rubin, Professor in Special Education, Counseling, and Student Affairs
- Dr. Lonnie Hobbs, Assistant Professor in Agricultural Economics
- Amirsalar Bagheri, PhD student in Chemical Engineering
- Abbie Kummer, MS student in Couple and Family Therapy
- Hazel Scribner, MS student in Entomology
- Zane Whitney, PhD student in History and Graduate Student Council President
- Nishadini Widanagamage, PhD student in Agronomy
The Graduate Student Council supported the event by greeting new students, answering questions, and serving Call Hall ice cream!
Graduate students had the opportunity to get to know their peers and learn how the Graduate School supports them, as well as what it means to be a graduate student, how to make the most of their experience, and how to take care of themself so they can be successful.
Thank you to everyone who attended, and we wish everyone a great start to the Fall 2024 semester!
Engage with graduate students and leaders
We have many events and professional opportunities planned for the Fall semester. I invite you to attend as many as you can. I’d like to extend to you a special invitation to the first-ever K-State Graduate School Graduate Student Symposium on October 4, 2024, to discuss and learn best practices in student success. The Research and the State poster session on October 30th is a great opportunity to talk with graduate students from all academic areas about their research and scholarly work that supports and advances the economy, society, and culture of the state of Kansas. Bookmark our events page to stay up to date with opportunities to be involved with the Graduate School.
Impact of your support
Faculty mentorship increases research forum participation
In the past three years, our Research Forums have experienced remarkable growth in participation. Research and the State has seen a 190% increase, the Three-Minute Thesis competition has grown by 78%, and K-Grad participation has risen by 54%. This success is a direct result of our faculty's dedicated mentorship, which has empowered students to believe in themselves and confidently present their research.
Financial support
Through the Graduate School Accelerator Fund and the Graduate Education Enhancement Fund, we have annually provided financial support to an average of 23 graduate students, awarding grants of up to $1,000 to advance their research, scholarly, or creative endeavors. Since the start of the Student Parent Success Scholarship in 2022, 105 graduate students who are raising the next generation of K-Staters have received scholarships of up to $1,000 each.
The University Distinguished Professors (UDP) Excellence in Doctoral Studies Award is a prestigious award that annually recognizes outstanding achievements in scholarship, including notable publications and other accomplishments relevant to a student's academic field. The funds can be utilized for dissertation research, travel, postdoctoral planning, or other academic-related expenses.
We appreciate your continued financial support of our graduate students. Contributions can be made year-round by visiting our giving page.
We have expanded our team!
Three outstanding professionals joined the Graduate School Team this summer. Dr. Phillip D. Payne - Associate Dean, Taylor Witt - Communications and Marketing Specialist, and Caitlin Jones - Event Coordinator. Each brings unique skills and experiences that will enhance our ability to support students, faculty, and the broader academic community. We are thrilled to have them on board and look forward to the exciting contributions they will make to our Graduate School community.
Dr. Payne, former Associate Director for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance joined the Graduate School full-time in July. His expertise in curriculum development, assessment, program review, and student success will significantly strengthen the Graduate School's role in advancing the academic innovation goals of the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan.
Taylor graduated from K-State in May with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication. Taylor is responsible for enhancing our outreach efforts, building the Graduate School's brand, and engaging with our community through various media platforms.
Caitlin is new to the K-State family and joined us this summer from Nebraska. Caitlin brings extensive experience in event planning and management, making her a perfect fit for the role of Event Coordinator. She will be responsible for organizing and executing a wide range of events, such as graduate student research forums, informational sessions, training for graduate faculty, and collaborative programming with K-State and community organizations.
Share your ideas with us
Do you know someone who exemplifies excellence in academics, research, leadership, or community service? We’re looking to share success stories of individuals who are making a difference and deserve to be recognized. Please take a few moments to share a recommendation for a student, faculty member, or alum who you believe should be featured. Thank you for helping us celebrate the brilliance and dedication of our graduate school community!
To send us your ideas about content for the Graduate Gazette please contact Taylor Witt (taylorwitt@ksu.edu).