Researchers at the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) at the University of Kansas, working in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources (DWR) and building on earlier efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), took over and expanded a statewide groundwater‑measurement program to address declining aquifer levels. Since 1996, the KGS has partnered with DWR to collect annual water‑level data from roughly 1,400 wells across the High Plains aquifer. By gathering and analyzing this information, the team supports a more accurate understanding of groundwater conditions and helps Kansas develop sustainable water‑management strategies to combat long‑term over pumping and ensure a more secure water future.

The KU Reads program continued to build bridges between the University and the broader community by offering a series of spring events tied to the Common Book, The Anthropocene Reviewed. These events created shared opportunities for learning and reflection, drawing together students, faculty, staff, and local residents. By fostering dialogue around themes relevant to both campus and community life, KU Reads deepened public engagement and strengthened the cultural and intellectual connections that unite KU with Lawrence.

Life Span Institute leadership organized an in-person institute-wide Collaboratory event for staff, researchers and graduate students to build skills in storytelling, communication, and dissemination of research impact in order to increase capacity for community engagement, public awareness, and external recognition of LSI research

The Big Event at KU received the national "Big Event of the Year" award after its leadership team doubled volunteer participation from fall 2024 to fall 2025 through campus recruitment activities, community partnerships, and in‑kind donations. These expanded volunteer resources strengthened the organization's ability to deliver community service projects across Lawrence.

Bonnie Johnson, professor of public affairs & administration, led a study to see how planning commission staff reports could be reenvisioned. That research uncovered broader and unexpected findings from respondents discussing how the study's group reflective practices could benefit how planning commissions function. The open-access study was published in the Journal of the American Planning Association.

Bonnie Johnson, professor of public affairs & administration, led a study to see how planning commission staff reports could be reenvisioned. That research uncovered broader and unexpected findings from respondents discussing how the study's group reflective practices could benefit how planning commissions function. The open-access study was published in the Journal of the American Planning Association.

In fall 2024, the Center for Service Learning launched a focused outreach effort to visit academic departments and promote service learning as a teaching tool. During the fall semester, staff connected with more than 15 departments, with additional visits planned for spring 2025. This initiative has already led to new service‑learning course designations and an updated list of courses carrying the social awareness designation, strengthening opportunities for community‑engaged learning across campus.

Mailee Payne (Doctor of Occupational Therapy Graduate Student) Poster Presentation- “Strength-Based Strategies for Supporting Developmental Milestones in a School-Based Setting” (University of Kansas Medical Center Occupational Therapy Education Capstone Poster Showcase, 2025). This graduate student capstone project was conducted in direct partnership with El Centro, a community-based, dual-language early childhood program serving underrepresented children in Kansas City, Kansas (KCK). It addressed El Centro's identified need to improve communication between teachers and caregivers regarding developmental milestones. The student collaborated with El Centro teachers and administration to develop and implement practical tools, including a training video and strength-based communication templates, designed to enhance teachers' use of the Procare communication app. This work directly supported the community partner's capacity, resulting in significantly increased communication with caregivers and plans for sustained use of the training at El C

Lindsay Garcia, Megan Koenigsman (Doctor of Physical Therapy Graduate Student) Poster Presentation - “More than just school: introducing children to physical therapy through mathematics.” (American Physical Therapy Association – Kansas Spring Conference, 2023 and Publication: 2024). Gay AS, Haistings J, Rucker JL, Garcia L, and Koenigsman M. Opening the “gait” to unit rate. Mathematics Teacher: Learning & Teaching PK-12. Apr;114(4). doi: 10.5951/MTLT.2023.0270 Physical therapy students helped develop elementary math lessons for teachers that incorporated measurements used by physical therapists in clinical practice. The students also delivered lessons to teachers and students at local Kansas City elementary schools.

Kathryn Wagenheim, Lauren Moore (Doctor of Physical Therapy Graduate Students) Poster Presentation - “Social Influences on Health and Accessibility in Patients at a Pro Bono Therapy Clinic” (American Physical Therapy Association – Kansas Spring Conference, 2025) This graduate student research, conducted within KUMC's JaySTART pro bono clinic, directly engages with community health issues by investigating how Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) impact access to therapy for underserved populations. The study surveyed clinic patients to identify community-level barriers, such as the absence of neighborhood sidewalks and inaccessible public transit stops, that limit participation in therapy and daily physical activity. By highlighting these real-world challenges faced by community members, even when financial barriers to care are reduced, the scholarship underscores the need for healthcare providers to consider SDOH. It promotes interdisciplinary collaboration involving community organizations and policymakers to address systemic barriers and improve health equity.

As part of its ongoing commitment to broadening collections and incorporating stakeholder feedback, KU Libraries launched a student curator pilot program, inviting four undergraduate students to design their own collection. The result was "Page Turning Tropes: Your Favorite Narratives, Themes, Cliches, Archetypes." The students-Margaret Baechle, Allison Bell, Ali Madden, and Sarah Patti, all from the KU Libraries Student Ambassadors Program-worked closely with librarians Amalia Monroe-Gulick and Sara Outhier. Together, they brainstormed collection ideas and explored the collection development process, while gaining insight into the collaborative work of various library departments in providing access to valuable resources.

As part of its ongoing commitment to broadening collections and incorporating stakeholder feedback, KU Libraries launched a student curator pilot program, inviting four undergraduate students to design their own collection. The result was "Page Turning Tropes: Your Favorite Narratives, Themes, Cliches, Archetypes." The students-Margaret Baechle, Allison Bell, Ali Madden, and Sarah Patti, all from the KU Libraries Student Ambassadors Program-worked closely with librarians Amalia Monroe-Gulick and Sara Outhier. Together, they brainstormed collection ideas and explored the collection development process, while gaining insight into the collaborative work of various library departments in providing access to valuable resources.