Through visits to high schools across the region, KU academic programs help students explore majors, career pathways and opportunities available at the university before they begin the college search.

Choosing a college major starts with understanding what's possible. That's why academic programs across the University of Kansas connect directly with high school students and educators, offering presentations, activities and conversations designed to help students explore academic interests and future careers.

From business and journalism to engineering and the liberal arts and sciences, KU's academic recruitment teams work with schools to introduce students to fields of study, answer questions about college and help them understand what a future at KU could look like.

Connecting students with academic programs

No two school visits look exactly alike.

Depending on a school's needs, a visit might include a hands-on activity, an overview of academic programs, a discussion about college readiness or a deeper look at careers connected to a particular major. Academic recruitment staff work directly with teachers and counselors to tailor presentations to their students' interests and goals.

In some cases, multiple KU academic units collaborate on outreach events, giving students the opportunity to learn about a variety of majors and discover pathways they may not have previously considered.

For educators, these visits offer another resource for helping students explore academic options and make informed decisions about their futures.

A closer look at the KU School of Business

The KU School of Business is one of several academic units actively connecting with high school students through outreach efforts across the region.

According to Kathryn Silvers, director of undergraduate recruitment and admission for the KU School of Business, every visit is designed around the needs of the audience.

“When we go out to high schools for a visit, we tailor the information according to what the teacher/counselor has requested,” Silvers said. “Our sessions in classrooms range from hands-on activities to help students learn about our various majors to a simple presentation about the KU School of Business and college readiness support.”

Silvers said presentations can cover a wide range of topics. These include admission requirements, majors, curriculum, study abroad opportunities, leadership and professional development programs, academic advising, career services and student support resources.

The team regularly connects with business classes and career-focused student organizations, including DECA, BPA and FBLA, helping students better understand what studying business in college can look like and where a business degree might lead.

Rather than providing a broad overview of KU, these visits focus specifically on opportunities within the School of Business and the support available to students.

“We hope that students are able to see themselves as future Business Jayhawks,” Silvers said. “Our sessions aim to help students explore their options within our program while showing all the incredible support we have available to them: academic, personal, and professional.”

Helping students understand their options

For many students, choosing a major means asking bigger questions about interests, goals and future careers. Outreach visits give students an opportunity to explore those questions in a setting that's familiar and comfortable.

Silvers noted that some of the most popular topics during business presentations are the school's flexible curriculum, study abroad opportunities and career outcomes.

The visits also create space for students to ask questions and discover opportunities they may not have known existed.

“We know that the college search process can be overwhelming, and students don't know what they don't know,” Silvers shared. “We love helping students explore options and opportunities in our program that they may have never even heard of!”

That guidance can be just as valuable for counselors and teachers, who are often helping students navigate college and career decisions. Academic outreach teams can provide program-specific information that helps educators connect students with opportunities aligned with their interests.

Building connections before students arrive on campus

Whether students are interested in business, journalism, engineering or another field entirely, outreach visits help make the path to college feel a little more accessible.

By connecting students directly with academic programs, KU helps them explore potential majors, learn about available resources and envision how their interests could translate into future careers.

For many students, those conversations are the first step toward discovering a place where they can thrive.