K-State Olathe Student Uses Advanced Education to Teach and Strengthen Regional Workforce

Working professionals in Johnson County and across the region are discovering new pathways to career advancement through innovative graduate programs that accommodate their busy lives while fulfilling critical workforce needs.

Beck Layne, an assistant professor of environmental science and sustainable agriculture at Johnson County Community College (JCCC), exemplifies this trend. While balancing a full-time teaching career and parenting two young children, she is pursuing a master's degree in horticulture with an emphasis in urban food systems at Kansas State University Olathe.

This JCERT-supported program addresses expanding regional workforce needs in sustainability and community-driven agriculture. Interest in urban farming is increasing, and programs like this one ensure educators and professionals can meet industry demands for current knowledge and hands-on experience.

“This program is a great way to learn more about my students’ interest areas,” Layne said. “Thanks to the support of my professors, I was also able to pursue my specific interests connecting agriculture and conservation.”

Layne’s research project explores insect diversity across urban, suburban and rural farms in the Kansas City area. Partnering with small-scale farms, she is studying how different land features influence biodiversity – insights that could shape more sustainable farming practices throughout the region.

Real-World Applications Benefit Students and Community
Layne gained practical knowledge that directly affects her instruction and student outcomes. Using what she learned, Layne now offers her students hands-on opportunities she couldn’t before her studies at K-State Olathe.

“This program exposed me to so many facets of agriculture, like crop production, land stewardship, social sustainability and food justice. That’s made me a better educator,” she said. “I’ve enhanced my ability to connect the science I teach to real-world applications.”

Flexible Online Format Removes Barriers to Advanced Education
The fully online professional track in the Urban Food Systems program demonstrates how educational institutions are adapting to meet the needs of working professionals. This accessibility ensures that career advancement doesn’t require sacrificing personal or professional responsibilities.

“Taking my degree program online has been a game changer,” Layne said. “With all of my personal and professional responsibilities, there's no way I could've done this otherwise.”

Her advice to others considering advanced education: “Go for it. It’s possible. Take it piece by piece. It’s not a race. Give yourself grace.”

The program’s virtual setting also enhanced her effectiveness as an online instructor, providing insight into the student experience and making her more intentional about keeping virtual classrooms engaging and human centered.

Degrees Supporting Regional Workforce Development
Layne’s experience represents JCERT-supported educational programs’ broader impact in developing skilled professionals who strengthen the Kansas City region’s economic competitiveness. The collaboration between K-State Olathe and JCCC demonstrates how JCERT’s educational partnerships create pathways for professional development that directly benefits students, businesses and the broader community. K-State Olathe continues to address critical workforce needs while providing flexible, accessible education options for working professionals throughout the region.