After only two years as the director of Kansas State Polytechnic’s professional education and outreach department, Danielle Brown is getting national recognition for her service to and impact on the industry.

The Association for Continuing Higher Education has named Brown their Rising Star for 2015. Brown was selected for the award because of her contribution to the development of new credit, noncredit and certificate programs for the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus as well as community-based programs that pair the campus with Kansas industries.

Brown was presented as the Rising Star at the Association for Continuing Higher Education’s national conference in St. Louis on Nov. 10. She was nominated by campus leadership and K-State’s Global Campus.

“This award means a great deal to me,” said Brown, “however, the success of professional education and outreach has been a team effort, so to have myself and the work of my department and this campus recognized is rewarding on many levels.”

Brown has helped spearhead a variety of educational agreements including a recent partnership with Wichita Area Technical School to assist their students with combining an associate degree with two years of online classes through Kansas State Polytechnic to receive a bachelor’s degree in technology management. She also has led the development of a K-State professional pilot bachelor’s degree in the Kansas City area through partnerships with Johnson County Community College and Air Associates of Kansas. And her department continues to cultivate community events such as Candy Canes and Airplanes and Discover Programs.

“I believe in the principle that we never stop learning or growing professionally,” said Brown. “One of the best parts of my job is leveraging connections and partnerships to create programs and lifelong learning opportunities that advance others’ education and careers.”

Brown joined the Kansas State Polytechnic campus in 2008 as the academic services coordinator in student support services. In 2011, she became a career and academic advisor in the academic and career advising center before moving over to professional education and outreach. Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Fort Hays State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Kansas Wesleyan University.

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Story by: Julee Cobb / Kansas State Polytechnic