Dean’s Message

College of Human Ecology

Moxley

Virginia Moxley, dean, College of Human Ecology

Message from Dean Moxley

The College of Human Ecology takes seriously its commitment to making Kansas State University a “student-centered research university” and the college commitment to “put people first.” These commitments, shared by faculty, staff and students, make this a great place to work and learn. We invite you to learn more about what we do.

What is the College of Human Ecology? It is a place where we study the complex interactions of people and their nearest environments — their social environment, their personal financial environment, the built environment where they live and work, the food they eat, the apparel they wear — and more. We study these issues with the intent of understanding what promotes healthy, satisfying and developmental interactions among people and these multiple environments.

The college is home to 20 undergraduate programs and 12 graduate specializations. Undergraduate students can choose programs that prepare them for careers in design, health sciences, business, human services, teacher education, human ecology and gerontology. Graduate students pursue specialized study in nutrition, public health, apparel and textiles, marriage and family therapy, family life education, personal financial planning, human development (early childhood education, youth development, and lifespan development), communication sciences and disorders, and foodservice and hospitality management.

The College of Human Ecology offers programs online for students who desire to study from any location. Online undergraduate programs are available in dietetics and early childhood education and online master’s programs are available in personal financial planning, gerontology, youth development, and apparel and textiles.

I invite you to view the College of Human Ecology Web site and learn what our faculty scholars are discovering, what our students are experiencing, and what our graduates are doing.

We welcome alumni visits because you remind us of our best work. We welcome employer visits because you help our graduates fulfill their aspirations. We especially welcome current and prospective students because we are interested in helping you identify and pursue your life goals.

Virginia Moxley biography

Virginia Moxley assumed the role of dean for the College of Human Ecology at Kansas State University in January 2007. She oversees the work of three departments and one school; academic programs that enroll 1,920 undergraduate students and 310 graduate students; scholarship and research programs; K-State Research and Extension programs in family and consumer sciences; five centers, three institutes, and one museum; and development initiatives and academic partnerships. In addition, Moxley co-directs Kansas State University’s Institute for Academic Alliances.

In 2005, Moxley was appointed Senior Associate Dean for Scholarship and Research in the College of Human Ecology and in this position she administered scholarship and research activities, the university’s second-largest distance education program, and an array of external partnerships for the college. From 1985-2005, Moxley served the college as associate dean for academic affairs. She administered undergraduate and graduate academic programs, the honors program, undergraduate research program, continuing education and summer school programs. Concurrent with her tenure as associate dean, Moxley also served as interim head, Department of Apparel, Textiles and Interior Design (1993-94) and as interim head, Department of Hotel, Restaurant, Institution Management and Dietetics (2001-02). Prior to coming to Kansas State University, Moxley chaired the Department of Home Economics and the Division of Sociology, Anthropology, and Family Sciences at Emporia State University.

In 2004, Moxley co-founded the Kansas State University Institute for Academic Alliances. The institute develops and tests models for inter-institutional collaboration and provides consultation to emerging inter-institutional alliances. Institute staff members are currently working with 12 higher education alliances that span 35 states.

Moxley is a founding member of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA) and has served on the leadership team from its inception in 1994. The Great Plains IDEA is an 11-university alliance that sponsors inter-institutional graduate programs, shares distance education programming, and develops model distance education policies and practices. From 2002 when the alliance leadership was formalized until 2005, Moxley chaired its board of directors. During her tenure as board chairman, the Great Plains IDEA initiated inter-institutional online master’s degree programs in family financial planning, gerontology, youth development and merchandising. In addition to serving on the board of directors, Moxley oversees the centralized services for the Great Plains IDEA.

Moxley co-founded the National Undergraduate Research Community for the Human Sciences in 2000. She is a member of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges Board on Human Sciences Federal Relations Committee and is a past national president of Omicron Nu Honor Society. Moxley serves on the Greater Morris County Development Corporation Board of Directors and on the Council Grove Area Foundation Board of Directors. In 2003, Moxley was designated a Fellow of the Kansas Health Foundation.