Forging New PATHS for Families: A Practical Guide to the First Year Experience
plansbook COMPLETE 5-4
1. i
Mari Geary, Matt Hartmann, Trevor Otterstein, Heidi Trautman, Erica Kuestersteffen, Cue Wright
Fostering the growth of Jayhawks
KUltivators
2. Table of Contents
Exhibits
Alumni
Incoming
Enrolled
Executive Summary
Back To Beginning I-1
Next Generation to Campus I-2
Congratulations! I-3
Communicate Like a Jayhawk I-4
All we are is Red and Blue I-5
Right Outside the Front Door E-1
SnapKU E-2
One Job, One Focus E-3
Hawk Talk Across Cultures E-4
Master Mentors E-5
Reach Out E-6
Open Door, Open Call E-7
Professors Need to Eat too! E-8
Late Night at the Union E-9
Make Connections E-10
Last Night in The Phog A-1
Jayhawk Mentors A-2
Jayhawk Generations A-3
Fresh off the Hill A-4
S-1
Team Picture X-1
Hawk Pack X-2
Poster for SnapKU X-3
Flier for Clubs on Daisy Hill X-4
Schedule for Hawk Talk Across Cultures X-5
Poster for Jayhawk Generations X-6
Master Mentor Nomination Form X-7
4. S-1
Executive Summary
S-1
KUltivate: Fostering the growth of Jayhawks
KUltivators
Objective: The KUltivate campaign brings the University of Kansas together as one and
seeks to define what KU students and alumni value. This campaign highlights fostering the
growth of Jayhawks through each of their three phases of affiliation with the university. The
Jayhawk Commission has requested help with these three main questions:
WHAT DO JAYHAWKS VALUE?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A JAYHAWK?
WHAT MAKES THE JAYHAWK EXPERIENCE UNIQUE?
Phase 1 (Incoming): The focus of phase one is to strengthen the connection with the next
generations of Jayhawks. Approaches to do this include bringing high school and middle
school students to campus earlier, making them feel like a part of the university before
attending and mentoring young students in the college process.
Phase 2 (Enrolled): Phase two is developed to pave a path for students to grow while
enrolled. Helping students to get involved, giving them the highest quality of advising and
celebrating those who help students succeed are the main aspects.
Phase 3 (Alumni): Phase three focuses on ensuring beneficial post-graduate connections
within the university community. Making the connection between The University of Kansas
and alumni stronger, as well as connecting students to alumni are at the forefront of phase
three of the KUltivate campaign.
As a result, the Jayhawk Commission will see a focus on strengthening the connection with
the next generation of Jayhawks, paving a path for students to grow and ensuring
beneficial post-graduate connections within the KU community. It explains to students that
even though everyone has a different journey here at KU, in the end we stand together and
aspire to be something great—a Jayhawk.
6. Dig a Hole
Back to the Beginning
The transition from high school to college is an important one and speaking with students
who have already gone through that transition can be a valuable resource. Having students
return to their old high school to speak about their college experience would excite high
school students about their own future experience. KU students who return to their old high
schools would be able to add a personal touch to their discussions with the students.
Current KU student speaking at their old high school
and discussing the advantages to being a Jayhawk.
Once a semester, the University of Kansas would have a group of students return to their
old high schools during their college breaks. These volunteers would speak with the stu-
dents at their former high school about their time at KU. This would provide a chance for
KU students to spark high school students interest in applying to KU and/or coming for a
visit.
Before the school break, student volunteers will attend a training session that will
provide them with basic information about the university, application process, etc. After the
training session, these students will be provided with Hawk Packs. This Hawk Pack would
consist of information about the University of Kansas including application information,
campus visit times, opportunites at KU, and more.
I-1
7. Dig a Hole
Next Generation to Campus
The best place to learn about KU is on campus. Bringing middle school students and high
school freshmen/sophomores to campus would give them an early looks at what it’s like to
be a Jayhawk. This campus visit would give KU the chance to impress the students before
they start making decisions about college as well as get them excited about their future as
a Jayhawk.
Future Jayhawks experiencing campus for the first time.
Invite middle school and high school freshmen/sophomore students to campus for a day to
give them the chance to experience the Jayhawk atmosphere. During this Next Generation
visit, students will learn about different majors, meet with advisors, take a campus tour and
be treated as if they were already enrolling for college to help make a lasting imression.
During this time they will also participate in enriched traditions, win prizes and snap photos
with their future mascot.
I-2
8. Plant a Seed
Congratulations!
We are pleased to inform you that you are going to be a Jayhawk Graduate of ____!
Success is in the mind. When someone believes they can succeed they are more likely to
accomplish their goal. Providing students with the belief that they will do well at the
University of Kansas will help them feel more welcome and prepared for their time here at
KU.
A piece of motivation
for new students.
Upon acceptance into KU students should receive a token with their acceptance letter
from the school. This token could take the form of a tassel, a keychain, etc. and will state
the year of their graduating class. This token will be something they can keep with them
over the following years in school to inspire them to continue working hard toward their
goal of graduation.
I-3
9. Water the Ground
Communicate like a Jayhawk
Social media is the way to connect with the younger generations. High school and middle
school students will react to social media quicker than paper mail or even email. Typically,
the first point of contact for many of the younger generation include social media sites
such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Students getting connected.
When students are accepted and placed into residence halls, the Resident Assistant of
their floor will take the inititative to add them to their “Class of ____” Facebook page. This
is where they can meet some of their classmates and stay up-to-date with important
information, such as clubs, organizations and tips to a successful Freshman year.
I-4
10. Water the Ground
All we are is Red and Blue
Multicultural students can gain a positive outlook on their college years as a Jayhawk be-
fore they arrive. Reaching out to these students early can make them feel like they are a
part of campus and the Jayhawk community. By putting more emphasis on our multicultural
community we can increase our connection and interaction with multicultural groups.
Connect with multicultural students in high schools by creating a mentorship program
between the SMRC, the Multicultural Recruitment Team and high schools. This mentorship
program can help multicultural students identify with the university while still in high school
and give them someone to speak with when they begin the college application process.
KU Student works to encourage students of color to attend college
I-5
12. Stake the Tree
Right Outside the Front Door
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Students live busy lives and in today’s world people are constantly looking for ways to make
life easier. While joining a club or organization may seem like a good idea to students, mak-
ing the extra effort to join may present a problem to some. Bringing these
opportunities closer to Daisy Hill will help those hesitant to engage.
Students learn about the variety of clubs available to them
Hawk Week should utilize the courtyard space coming with the new dorms to table for clubs
and organizations instead of the traditional location at the Union. Club liasons should also
take the chance to start discussions about their club in public areas of the residence halls.
13. E-2
In today’s ever-changing world of media there are numerous ways to reach your target
demographic, but finding the right medium can be a challenge. Some of the roadblocks
involved in reaching KU students include targeting the most effective forms of media.
Social media’s ability to reaching students can’t be underutilized, as it’s the fastest growing
form of digital communication.
Students stay up-to-date by
seeing what is happening
around campus with
SnapKU
Snap KU will showcase daily life on campus and provide the opportunity for visiting stu-
dents to show their experience to fellow visitors and the KU community. Through other
forms of social media such as Facebook and Twitter, KU social media accounts that take
the initiative to connect with students first will make progress in fostering these meaningful
connections. This will open the door for more fluid communication to the student
population.
Stake the Tree
SnapKU
14. E-3
Nurture the Growth
One Job, One Focus
Advisors have a responsibility to provide the best advice aimed at making the student
experience as productive as possible for moving their education forward. Heavy advisor
course load and teachers taking on advisor roles can lead to strained
student-advisor relations and semesters with less benefit.
An advisor helps a student figure out their next semester schedule
Appointing more professionals with the sole responsibility of advising will help reduce
current advisor course load and offer a more personable, effective method of student
education planning. Our research highlighted that students seek more time with advisors
that are looking to talk about their education so they can better place them in beneficial
courses. This will keep the teachers focused on class, advisors focused on the student,
and students focused on learning.
15. E-4
Nurture the Growth
Hawk Talk Across Cultures
With the world-wide reach of the University there is a need to make the world a smaller
place on campus by making students more understanding of different cultures.
This cultural acceptance by students will make KU more multicultural-friendly and could
make it easier for international students to transition into life in America. This will also
encourage the feeling that even though people have different cultural
backgrounds everyone comes together as Jayhawks.
Students learn about
different cultures during
Hawk Week
By having students attend a cultural session or a meeting at the beginning of semesters,
it will foster a greater understanding about the different cultures around the world. These
meetings would include international and multicultural students talking about their lives
and backgrounds. Games would also be used to add some fun and encourage interaction
amongst Jayhawks.
16. Nurture the Growth
Master Mentors
The University of Kansas is recognized as the flagship university of Kansas, a major public
research and teaching institution. Most instructors and professors teach hundreds of
students daily, on top of research requirements.
The University should develop a program to celebrate professors who go the extra mile to
help students in their success at KU. Recognized by their students, this “Master Mentor”
should receive a plaque commemorating their nomination and giving them the opportunity
to proudly showcase what kind of instructor they are.
A Master Mentor going the distance to help a student grow
Arrange a Master Mentor program that will highlight different Master Mentors around the KU
Campus and will be awarded each semester. This program will encourage other
professors/faculty to take the extra step in mentoring students on campus. This will also
help students seek mentors that they might want or need.
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17. Nurture the Growth
Reach Out
A majority of Multicultural students feel as if they are clumped together as one.
Multicultural students enter the University with a cultural disadvantage as the minority and
students have expressed that they would like professors to reach out for extra support in
classes. The majority of the minority feels strongly that fostering this support will improve
experiences for the next generation of multicultural Jayhawks and bring even more diversity
to the University of Kansas.
A student discusses his or her multicultural viewpoint
with a knowledgable member of campus
Professors should go through a cultural learning class similar to what students attend at
the beginning of the year. Here they can learn about the cultural differences amongst stu-
dents and have the chance to learn how to tackle challenging social issues in the
classroom. Giving professors this opportunity will implement a feeling of better
understanding between multicultural students and professors and in turn provide a more
welcoming learning environment.
E-6
18. Stand on its Own
Open Door, Open Call
College life can be busy. Students who have work and school often don’t have time to meet
during professor’s office hours. Having professors available for a phone meeting(with
discretion) will provide many students with another alternative to talking with professors
outside of class.
A student talks with a
professor about a concern
in class during his break
at work
Create open call hours for professors in the morning and afternoon where they can be
available, by phone, to their students. By allowing phone meetings students can discuss
their problems in real time even when they cannot get to campus. Research shows that
professors with open door policies fostered a healthy mentality about student-professor
relationships and lead to a more comforting learning experience.
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19. Stand on its Own
Professors Need to Eat Too!
Creating a relationship with a professor outside of class is beneficial, both to the student
and the professor. Student’s can become more successful through getting to know their
professor and they create a valuable connection with that teacher.
Take your Professor to Lunch is a program that is already developed in the
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on the KU campus. Expanding this program into the
other schools of the University of Kansas will allow more students and more professor’s to
get to know each other and build a stronger relationship between student and teacher.
A student builds connections
Start the Take Your Professor to Lunch program in the individual schools on campus and
highlight the benefits of this program. Offer $15 cards that can be used in the dining loca-
tions around campus, like the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences does, for the students
to take their professors out to lunch.
E-8
20. Stand on its Own
Late Night at the Union
The Union is a place for students to have social gatherings, study sessions and
organization meetings, so it is a vital part of the educational experience. Having the Union
open later will provide students with another place to study and meet with groups at their
leisure. This will also be benenficial in bringing more people to the Union. With the late night
activity in the Union there will be the need to keep the Hawk Shop open later to fuel
students late night studying. This will help provide more jobs to students and make more
profit for the Union.
A new late-night study space for students
Have the Union open until midnight, similar to Watkins. However, advertise it as the perfect
place for group projects. The open space on the 3rd and 4th floor of the Union can be
utilized for group projects and, without the worry of disturbing individual studiers, groups can
work on their projects stress-free.
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21. Stand on its Own
Make Connections
In todays career market it can be difficult to find opportunities for jobs. This is especially
ture for someone looking in a city or state they are not familiar with or have not had the
chance to network in for a few years. The University does a great job of recruiting out-of-
state high schoolers and many of these students plan to return to the states they originally
left.
In order to give these students the greatest potential to earn a job outside of the state of
Kansas, the University Career Center and the Alumni Center should team up to develop
a program that highlights out of state jobs for students in each respective field. Alumni
involved in the Alumni Association can help with notifying the university of job openings in
their respective fields and geographical areas.
E-10
The Alumni Association assists students in finding jobs
23. Branch Out
Last Night in The Phog
As a freshman, everyone comes together and learns the alma mater, KU sport chants and
the overall Jayhawk way. Last Night in The Phog is a celebration for seniors which would
bring everyone together one last time to see what they have accomplished over their four
years. This event would be hosted by the Student Alumni Association and sponspored by
the Alumni Association and Endowment. Having the Alumni Association extend a hand would
allow students to feel that personal connection before leaving the University.
The Phog says Goodbye to Seniors
The Alumni Association will play a video showing all of the accomplishments and big
moments over the four years that the seniors have experienced at KU. This night will be a
moment to celebrate the seniors and it would also be the place for the Alumni Association
to showcase the benefits of joining the association. The Alumni Association would also let
all of the senior’s know they are automatically signed up for a free year upon graduation.
A-1
24. Expand
Jayhawk Mentors
Jayhawk Mentors give students and alumni the time to connect when it is convenient for
them. These mentorships will provide students with a chance to connect to a Jayhawk
Alumni who are working in the field they are interested in pursuring. This gives the alumni
the chance to give back and stay connected to the University.
The Alumni Association can reach out to alumni and find those that are open to having 30
minute skype or face to face meetings with one current student. These meetings will occur
between alumni and students from the same professional school. The alumni can then help
a current student with any questions they may have about the field or how to get started.
A one-on-one conversation takes away the distraction of a group setting and allows for a
more focused conversation.
A student speaks with a Jayhawk mentor about
after-graduation plans
A-2
25. Expand
Jayhawk Generations
Jayhawk Generations gives the alumni an opportunity to give back to the University and
network with current students. The purpose of Jayhawk Generations is to connect
University of Kansas Alumni with students in their professional schools. This program would
be similar to the J-School Generations run by the William Allen White School of Journalism
and Mass Communications. It would create a day for students to learn about the kind of
work they will one day be involved in and allow them to ask questions of KU Alumni who
have found success in their field.
Jayhawks meet with Alumni to
make connections and create
opportunities.
Each professional school will have one day per school year set-up with activities to allow
students to network with alumni, ask questions and possibly find internships or jobs. While
the respective professional schools have current networking opportunities, rebranding the
program as Jayhawk Generations will make campus networking a consistent experience.
A-3
26. Reach for the Sky
Fresh off the Hill
Fresh off the Hill allows young alumni the opportunity to network with fellow young alumni
in their geographical area. Young alumni tend to be the hardest group to get back involved
with University of Kansas. Many young alumni are so busy trying to get their career started
and settle into their new life that it is difficult for them to find time for the
Alumni Association.
Young alumni meet in their
cities and stay in touch with
their Jayhawk roots
Back on the Hill is an event located in cities where multiple young alumni live. These would
be social events, not involving KU athletics, where young alumni can meet with other young
alumni. During this network time they can build their social network in their new geographi-
cal area.
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28. KUltivators
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Mari Geary - Matt Hartmann - Trevor Otterstein - Heidi Trautman - Erica Kuestersteffen - Cue Wright
Presentation Research Marketing/Comms Account Planning Creative
Director Director Director Coordinator Director Director
29. X-2
The Hawk Pack bottles will be
given out three different
stages of a students time
with KU. The first bottle is red
and given to students in
middle and high school. The
blue bottle will be given out
during orientation. The final
bottle, which will be red and
blue, will be given out during
Last Night in The Phog. These
bottles will be filled with
important information relevant
to the time when they are
given.
I.e.:
Red contains information
about the application
process, campus visits, etc.
Blue contians information
about clubs, organizations
and moving into residence
halls.
The final bottle contains
information about the Alumni
Association.
Hawk Pack
