Earlier this year, KU launched a collaborative, institution-wide strategic planning process to develop a unified strategic framework to guide all campuses, schools and units in advancing KU’s shared mission.  

To support that work, KU’s Strategy Office initiated a six-month engagement process in April. The university-wide process is designed to inform, engage, and gather feedback from faculty, staff, students, affiliates and external partners. So far, more than 800 constituents across the university have participated and more sessions are scheduled throughout the summer and early fall.   

The goal of the engagement process is to refine the framework based on broad input, ensuring it reflects a shared vision. Here are four ways to find out more and share your feedback: 

Summer is a great time to work toward the 40 HealthQuest credits needed for the $480 premium incentive discount on health insurance and an additional $500 that could go into health reimbursement or savings accounts for Plan C, J and N. 

Four simple ways to earn credits include:  

Credits for appointments and lab work are typically awarded when claims are automatically submitted through State Employee Health Plan vendors Aetna, BCBS of Kansas or Delta Dental of Kansas. After a claim is submitted, it can take up to four weeks for credits to appear.  

Beginning Wednesday, Professor of Music Education Christopher Johnson will serve as the School of Music’s interim dean. 

Johnson is currently the director of the Music Research Institute, chair of the academic music department, and professor of music education and music therapy. His appointment as interim dean will be effective July 1. 

Johnson will lead efforts to continuously align academic goals with university initiatives, expand relationships between the school and its partners throughout the community and world, and advocate for the work, studies and research of its faculty, staff and students. 

During his 34 years at KU, Johnson has additionally served as associate dean for research and graduate studies of the School of Fine Arts (predecessor to the School of Music), chair of music education and music therapy, and director of music education.  

Paul Popiel, who has been at KU since 2010 and has served as dean and interim dean since 2022, is retiring from KU and will return to his alma mater, Notre Dame University. There, he will be the next Kenn and Pamela Ricci Director of Bands.    

Search updates for the next permanent dean of the school will be shared in the coming months. 

Faculty and staff parking permits for the 2026-27 academic year are now available for purchase via payroll deduction in the KU Parking Portal. KU affiliates can fill out this form to purchase permits.  

Current parking permits expire on July 31 and do not automatically renew. New parking permits must be purchased before Aug. 1 to avoid tickets.  

Here’s what’s new for 2026-27 permits:  

KU Parking will continue to offer payroll deductions for annual permits; short-term options for daily, 15 and 30 uses; and the ability for permit holders to purchase a level up from what their age and years of service dictate. 

For more information, refer to KU Transportation Services’ email from June 23 or visit the KU Parking website. 

KU grads are at the forefront of workforce development in Kansas, behind the scenes bettering lives, and everywhere in between. While KU’s alumni network radiates crimson and blue brilliance around the world, many Jayhawks invest their expertise right here in Kansas.  

See how KU powers the Kansas workforce in this Created by KU multimedia feature.  

Academic Success is asking faculty and staff to encourage qualified students to apply to be Academic Success Student Navigators for this academic year.  

These student hourly positions play a critical role in student success by providing high-quality, student-to-student interactions focused on early student engagement while increasing student motivation for excellence.  

The student employees serve as compassionate, well-informed guides for other students, supporting those who face academic and personal challenges by providing resources, encouragement and understanding. Student Navigators reach out to students via phone calls, text messages and emails to connect them with campus resources. 

Students must work at least six hours per week and be in good academic standing. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 15. For more information, see the online position description. 

The sign-on page for the Financials in the Cloud (FITC) site has a new look. The page was updated over the weekend and looks like the image on the left. To log in to the FITC, choose the sign-in option with the KU_SSO button at the bottom of the page, circled in red in the image.  

Those with questions or concerns should contact fsku@ku.edu. 

This summer Kansas Tourism is encouraging Kansas families to explore their state with free admission to more than 200 attractions. The Sunflower Summer program runs from July 9 to Aug. 2 and is eligible for Kansas students ages pre-K through 12th grade. One adult ticket is provided per transaction.

Download the Sunflower Summer app on Apple or Android devices to receive free entry into museums, zoos, state parks and other attractions across the state.  

This spring during the University Research Awards ceremony, Chancellor Doug Girod celebrated some of KU's most outstanding researchers and their impact. 

Bren Backhaus, postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, received the Research Postdoctoral Achievement Award. In the video above, Backhaus describes her research studying how galaxies form and evolve, and specifically how stars affect the evolution of galaxies. 

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