Developing Scholars Program

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Developing Scholars Program

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What is DSP? DSP offers underrepresented students research projects with faculty mentors.

For over 25 years, K-State's Developing Scholars Program has helped fulfill K-State’s land grant mission by increasing access and broadening participation in undergraduate research. Students will receive academic, social, and financial support while participating in the discovery and creation of new knowledge at Kansas State University. The program provides structured, faculty-supported opportunities for selected students who typically have not been well represented in higher education in Kansas. If you are a student who has been historically underrepresented and are interested in doing research with faculty, you are strongly encouraged to apply. Students will be involved in a seminar course for each semester of their first year. During subsequent semesters, students will be required to attend lectures and follow-up discussions at monthly meetings. What does DSP do?
• Fosters mentoring and tutoring relationships among students
•Involves your families, as appropriate, in your academic endeavors.
• Organizes annual mini-conferences to share your research accomplishments with others.
• Encourages high levels of success throughout your studies and beyond.
• The Developing Scholars Program staff is trained to assist with a variety of study skills and to monitor your progress.

10/07/2026

Dr. Wilken is a Developing Scholars alum, so it was especially impactful to have her introduce our incoming scholars to the Biomanufacturing Lab and Training Facility.

10/02/2026

Congrats to Bryant! Another Developing Scholar hired before graduation! 💯💥👏

09/17/2026

Great profile of a distinguished DSP alum! 👏👏👏

GCCC Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Jorge Mendoza

When Dr. Jorge Eduardo Mendoza started his college education at Garden City Community College in 2005, he knew he was building a strong foundation for his future. What began as a practical decision to save money on his education became the first step in a journey from Garden City to Columbus, Ohio, where he now serves as a Veterinarian and Medical Director.

His story reflects GCCC’s enduring motto: From here, you can go anywhere. 🎓

Read Dr. Mendoza’s story: https://ow.ly/xTjk50ZO4Op

08/14/2026

“Like Oregon Trail, for plants”—check out more about Lauren Seybold’s game development and research. Link in comments.

We have the honor to celebrate the work of Lauren Seybold 🌿

A Lawrence native, Lauren has dedicated her undergraduate research experience here at to environmental science. She shared some of her thoughts with K-State today, stating, “Climate action starts with an education public,” a sentiment which is reflected in the creation of LeafSpan. 🍁

LeafSpan is a board game designed with the purpose of encouraging middle school-aged students to learn more about climate change. Specifically, the game focuses on the life of Kansas wildflowers 💐🌻🌸 Students are challenged in the game by facing the struggles these Kansas wildflowers face in real life. The goal is to survive just long enough to produce seeds - a goal of all wildflowers in Kansas and beyond.

Lauren developed the game by using data from the annual Wildflower Walk (which is held annually by Friends of the Konza Prairie).

We are also abundantly thrilled to share that Lauren is a dedicated Developing Scholar, which is a program we here at SDUR are proud to host. 💜

To learn more about Lauren’s work, please read the K-State Today article posted about her work, which was published on August 12th, 2027 by author Emily Boragine.

Congratulations on your hard work coming all this way, Lauren! 🎉

06/30/2026

Congrats Dr. Michael Jonathan Zuniga on the completion of your medical residency!

05/14/2026

The 2026 Symposium Photo Album is up! We love seeing all of our Developing Scholars confidently presenting on their research!

04/09/2026

Congrats to Viv! 💯💯💯

K-State is thrilled to celebrate Viv Nguyen being selected as a 2026 Goldwater Scholar. The Barry Goldwater scholarship is awarded to outstanding sophomores or juniors who are studying mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering and who intend to pursue a research career. Viv is a member of the Developing Scholars Program from Dodge City and works in the lab of Dr. Suprem Das.
Only 454 students were selected nation wide. Viv becomes the 84th Goldwater Scholar in K-State's history. Congrats, Viv! 🎉

K-State Engineering K-State College of Arts and Sciences K-State IMSE

03/11/2026

Congrats, Clemente!

The Distinguished Young Alumni program annually recognizes two K-State graduates who are excelling in their professions and contributing to their communities.

For Clemente Jaquez ’08, a 2016 recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, the honor meant a validation of his time at K-State.

02/06/2026

Developing Scholars Program 🤝 Southwest Kansas
Dr. Rensing just returned from a DSP recruitment trip. So many talented students and dedicated champions of student success!

01/15/2026

Next up in our Wildcat Wins series:
Silvio Liu, a biological systems engineering major and Developing Scholar, is second author on a research publication about improving soil water retention using biosurfactants. This research is critically important to improve agricultural water use efficiency. Congrats, Silvio!

To read the article and find out more about the Hansen Biointerface Lab, see the links in the comments

K-State Engineering Developing Scholars Program

Address

Manhattan, KS
66502

Telephone

+17855321097

Website

http://www.ksu.edu/scholars/

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