Meet Chance Gulley

📍 Hometown: Andover, KS
🏫 Transferred from: Johnson County Community College
🎓 Major: Physical Education and Health

➜ What made you decide to attend K-State?

I spent my freshman year at a smaller school, where I was a practice player and manager for the basketball team. I eventually decided I wanted to transfer because it was too small and I was looking for something bigger.

I was actually going to choose KU, but then I visited K-State and decided this was where I wanted to be. Everyone was super welcoming, and within about an hour of being on campus, I had made my decision.

➜ What do you think sets K-State apart from other universities?

If I could describe K-State in one word, I’d say “different.”

When I first visited, I wasn’t an actual student and I wasn’t even on an official visit. I was visiting a friend, and we went to the dining hall. He showed me around, and people who weren’t even expecting a prospective student were still super welcoming and warm to someone new.

It’s amazing. There’s no place like it. It feels like a home away from home. I don’t even want to go home on breaks sometimes because I enjoy Manhattan so much. I think that just speaks to how different K-State is.

➜ What advice would you give your younger self when choosing a college or major?

Give everything your attention. At least look into every option.

Don’t instantly count something out just based on the name of a major or what you think it might be. Give weight to every option you have and take the time to see what could be right for you.

➜ What’s the atmosphere like in the College of Education?

The College of Education is also different. The building is amazing, and so are the faculty and staff.

Everyone has their own advisor, but every advisor feels like everyone’s advisor. The people in the office are great, and that’s just outside of the classroom.

Your professors in the College of Education are super understanding. They want to know you personally. My professors actually want to know who I am and care about who I am.

Obviously, it’s still “get your work done” and “go to class,” but it’s also, “How are you doing?” We can network, connect things and build relationships. It’s super tight-knit because the College is somewhat smaller.

➜ What would you tell prospective transfer students about enrolling in the College of Education?

Do it.

I think the landscape of education, holistically, needs people. If you’re thinking about it, I think there’s a reason you’re thinking about it.

You’re probably an amazing person who should be in the College of Education. So I would say, yeah, you should do it. Why not?

➜ What has been your favorite course or professor?

Foundations of Education with Dr. James Alberto and Ms. Angie Messer.

That class is electric. It’s super fun, and you learn a lot. If you’re even thinking about pursuing a degree in education, you should check it out. You don’t have to be all-in, but you get to come in and feel things out in that class.

I remember we did a project over a book we read, and we had to present different teaching principles and how we would teach a class. My group did a skit that was super fun.

I really enjoy Dr. Alberto and Ms. Messer because they tailor the class toward you and your personality rather than trying to tailor it toward themselves and their personalities. It’s a mixture of both, which builds common ground and makes the class even more fun.

So, shout-out to both of them!

➜ What are your plans after graduating?

I like to think about post-grad a little bit more now that I’m a junior. Right now, the plan is to go teach at a school.

Honestly, I’m not sure where yet. Nothing is set in stone, and I don’t have a particular preference. Eventually, though, my goal would be to become an athletic director at a school.

➜ How are your experiences, classes and professors preparing you for the transition from college to career?

Communication is the first thing that comes to mind.

Being able to communicate with people in a professional way is important. In my classes, I’ve learned how to communicate with my professors — and not just communicate, but communicate clearly.

Before, I wasn’t the greatest at clear communication, but now I am, and I feel like it has really helped me grow. Even though I’m not entering the workforce right now, I know those skills will definitely help me transition into my career after graduation.

➜ Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Anything about the College of Education — you should do it.

Take it from a guy who didn’t even declare a major during my freshman year of college. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. Then, heading into my sophomore year, I found the College of Education and came “home.”

I’m glad I made that decision, and I hope someone else will make that decision, too