12/20/23

By University Communications

HAYS, Kan. – For more than two decades, FHSU’s Leadership 310 course has impacted communities through hands-on service-learning projects. Leadership 310: Field Work in Leadership Studies is an upper-level course at Fort Hays State University that encourages students to make a difference through real-world service-learning projects. Since Fort Hays State began recording the leadership studies program’s projects in 1997, the course has participated in more than 340 service-learning events.

During the fall semester of 2023, Associate Professor Dr. Seth Kastle and Assistant Professor Dr. Lori Kniffin each taught a section of the course focused on teaching students the importance of applying leadership within the community. The community partners who worked with the students were also invaluable co-teachers throughout the semester.

Near the beginning of the fall semester, Kastle and Kniffin brought in community partners from Hays to present projects to the 310 students. After the presentations, students shared their thoughts and interests regarding the projects, and the instructors then placed their students into groups based on similar interests.

Kastle’s class chose Feeding Hays, a weekly free meal served on Thursdays at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, and First Call for Help. Kniffin’s class chose “Can We Just Talk?” a mental health dialogue program with Breathe Coffee House and the Teen Advisory Board with Hays Public Library.

Each project had three components: preparing and presenting a strategic plan, putting the said plan into action, and reflecting on what has been done. An end-of-the-year evaluation that includes an ePortfolio and final presentation was also required. Although these students received a grade, Kastle and Kniffin agreed that the benefits of the course are much deeper.

“With this class, students go out and lead and do things that directly impact the community around them,” Kastle said.

For example, before Leadership 310’s involvement, the Feeding Hays project gave away fewer than 30 meals a week and received a little more than $600 in donations by the end of last year. With Leadership 310’s help, Feeding Hays gave out approximately 100 meals a week and received more than $1,500 in donations this semester alone.

No matter what the project, Leadership 310 students are getting first-hand experience and learning what it means to be a community leader. Understanding the process of running events and programs like Feeding Hays or “Can We Just Talk?” is one of the many benefits of taking this course. Not only are the students enlightened about the commitment necessary to create an impactful project, but they are also given a sense of what their future careers and civic engagement might look and feel like.

“This course is an avenue in which students study and practice leadership,” Kniffin said. “They learn a lot about themselves in the process. They feel it is a transformational experience where they’ve built friendships and relationships while contributing to their community.”

For a complete list of Leadership 310 courses since the fall of 1997, go to: https://www.fhsu.edu/leadership/310-projects/