Protopia Selected to Power AI-Driven Career Connections Across Kansas for K-State Alumni
A single, comprehensive networking layer connecting students, alumni, and employers across the entire university community. Now augmented with workforce development to translate connection into career and economic outcomes at scale.
Raleigh, North Carolina – January 21, 2026 – Protopia announced today that it has been selected by the Kansas State University Alumni Association to power the Rural Opportunities Network, a new AI-enabled initiative supported by the Patterson Family Foundation to expand access to meaningful career opportunities across Kansas.
The Rural Opportunities Network is focused on helping K-State alumni and friends discover and access careers in Kansas, particularly in rural communities facing workforce gaps. Alumni connections and mentorship serve as the starting point., These connections create trusted, low-friction pathways that surface opportunity, share local insight, and link talent to employers and communities where it is most needed.
“The Patterson Family Foundation made it possible for us to reach, connect and serve our alumni and state of Kansas,” said Dr. Adam Walker, President and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. “Careers are fueled by connections, and connection does not scale on its own. By using AI through our partnership with Protopia, K-State is able to extend career support far beyond what traditional programs allow. This first-of-its-kind initiative helps current Wildcats and alumni see real pathways into meaningful careers and helps communities connect with talent that already believes in Kansas.”
Protopia will deploy its proprietary AI engine, built exclusively for higher education, to activate alumni insight, mentorship, and professional networks in service of career mobility. These connections help alumni and students identify opportunities, navigate decisions, and move toward employment without requiring large teams or complex infrastructure.
“We are thrilled to work with K-State on this vision,” said Max Leisten, Founder and CEO of Protopia. “Career support is the warranty an institution makes to its students and alumni. K-State is showing how AI can scale that promise responsibly, using networks and mentorship to unlock real career outcomes across an entire state.”
Protopia is already used by institutions including the University of Utah, Florida State University, the University of Pittsburgh, California State University, Northridge, Duke University, and The Ohio State University, where it helps scale career support and networking to all students and alumni.
“AI allows us to advance major strategic priorities with a small staff footprint,” Walker added. “Protopia helps us scale connection, career support, and belonging without adding complexity, which is critical as institutions are asked to do more with limited resources.”
The Rural Opportunities Network will launch soon in 2026, connecting Wildcats to career opportunity and helping Kansas communities compete for talent.
About Protopia
Protopia is the industry’s first AI-powered, no-app engagement technology built exclusively for higher education to facilitate timely mentoring, micro-volunteering, career guidance, and donor activation.
About K-State Alumni Association
Established in 1874, the K-State Alumni Association is dedicated to providing lifelong connections, programs and services for its more than 40,000 members. The Association serves a network of more than 360,000 K-Staters worldwide, working to reach, connect and serve the K-State community while supporting Kansas State University’s mission and strategic goals.
Max Leisten
Founder & CEO
Protopia
Adam Walker
President and CEO
Kansas State University Alumni Association
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