Emporia State Opens Campus to Second-Grade Students
Emporia, KS (04/24/2025) — The cheers of hundreds of second-grade students filled the gymnasium at the Emporia State University Student Recreation Center during the start of a lively half-day visit to campus packed full of activities.
About 300 second-grade students from Emporia Public Schools, along with their teachers, spent time on activities in a variety of areas, including:
- Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center
- Art galleries in King Hall
- Esports arena
- Honors College
- The Teachers College with the Imaginarium
The first-ever Second Grade Career Day was a collaboration with Emporia Public Schools.
"This was a good experience," said Kristy Randel, second-grade teacher at Village Elementary as the morning session wrapped up. "Our students get to hear from somebody else, and it reinforces the things we are saying to them at school."
Randel appreciated that many activities were designed to align with the district's second-grade standards. These included learning about insects at PAROC and the importance of understanding directions while learning about the teaching profession in Visser Hall.
"Helping to spark curiosity, excitement and confidence in students starts early," said Taylor Kriley, known as "Dr. TK," ESU's vice president for student success. "Inspiring them to dream big about who they want to be when they grow up begins at the very beginning.
"What a wonderful opportunity for us to partner with the district on hands-on career exploration. A big thank you to the elementary school principals and the superintendent, Allison Harder, for bringing this vision to life!"
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.
Media Attachments
Second-grade students from Walnut Elementary School in Emporia pause for a photo with Corky after visiting the Hornet Esports arena.