Kansas State University President Linton told the Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday that K‑State’s enrollment has climbed and research funding and capital investment have increased, and he described new academic and facility priorities intended to support state workforce needs.

Linton said enrollment on K‑State campuses reached 21,182 students as of Sept. 2, and the university expects the official 20th‑day count to be reported Oct. 1. He also highlighted what he identified as a 21.5% increase in research funding to about $264 million and set a target of roughly $300 million in research funding by 2030.

Those gains matter to Manhattan as well as to the university, Linton said, because they affect rental housing, restaurants and hotels that serve students and visitors. “We all know how important student enrollment is,” Linton said. “We think that we can be a big help to the economy here in Manhattan.”

Linton emphasized three near-term priorities: expanding workforce‑relevant programs, investing in research that addresses state needs, and completing new facilities. He described recurring state support for biomanufacturing ($5 million recurring) to modernize facilities and hire faculty, and $5 million in recurring state support plus a reported $10 million grant for what he called the Kansas Water Institute.

He also cited a major capital project: a Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory described as a $130 million facility to be sited near the veterinary college. Linton said the state provided roughly $128 million for the lab. He said the lab, together with an existing BSL‑level facility on campus, positions the university to strengthen animal‑disease diagnostics and vaccine development.

On facilities generally, Linton said K‑State projects would total more than $500 million, with about $210 million directed to new College of Agriculture buildings and a cluster of 11 buildings tied to an Agricultural Innovation Initiative. He noted ribbon cuttings and new event capacity that he said will attract 4‑H, FFA and other groups to campus.

Linton also discussed student outcomes and affordability: “96 percent of our students get a job or further their education … within six months after graduation,” he said, and about 81 percent of students receive some form of financial aid, which he said helps address affordability concerns.

Commissioners and members of the public asked about international recruitment and housing. Linton said international enrollment has fallen since COVID and that K‑State is reworking strategies and funding sources — citing the loss of some USAID awards and the need to pursue foundations and other partners. Resident Andrew Von Lintel asked about residence‑hall capacity; Linton said campus housing sits at about 95% capacity and that the university will likely need additional housing or community partnerships if enrollment reaches the levels K‑State projects.

Linton closed by asking the community to help recruit faculty and students and to promote Manhattan as a place to live and work.

The presentation was delivered as an informational update; the commission did not take formal action on university matters during the work session.