Luke Maneth

In our alumni spotlight series, learn about KU Biology graduates' most meaningful experiences from college, and how The University of Kansas impacted their professional and personal paths after graduation.

Degree & Year: Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. Class of 2023.

Job Title & Company: High School Biology and Zoology Teacher for USD 428 - Great Bend Public Schools

Tell us about what fills your time now? Professionally and otherwise?

A majority of my time is spent educating students and our next generation of leaders. At Great Bend High School, I teach Biology and Zoology, which include multiple hands-on activities, such as animal dissections and interactive labs. My Zoology students dissect sharks, grasshoppers, worms, starfish,fetal pigs, and many more creatures throughout the school year. My biology students explore multiple different concepts of life through observations andreal-world experiences.

Outside of teaching, I am actively involved in my school, community, and local education association. I am the sponsor for our National Honor Society (NHS) students and our School Spirit/Pep Club. I serve as the Treasurer, Building Representative, and Negotiations Team Member for the Great Bend National Education Association (GB-NEA). In addition, I also serve as a Board Member for the Barton County Historical Society.

This summer, I also began my next educational journey through the University of Kansas, which includes completing the requirements for the Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies program. I am overjoyed to be returning as a Jayhawk and continuing my education with the best school in the world. When I have a free moment, I love to spend time with my family and friends. I enjoy spending time outdoors,traveling, and playing piano.

Describe your path from KU to your current position.

After graduating from the University of Kansas in May of 2023, I initially planned on pursuing a career in Medicine. However, after several months, that door never opened for me. I was very fortunate to begin substitute teaching in my local school community and fell in love with being in the classroom and supporting students. I quickly began researching what my next steps would look like and discovered a program through Fort Hays State University known as the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship - Science Teachers for Rural America Project.

This competitive scholarship program allows for individuals with a science background to complete the teacher licensure requirements and apply those courses to a Master of Science in Education degree. I was extremely fortunate to be accepted into this program, allowing me to transition into the classroom and earn my Master's degree with very minimal costs. I was extremely thankful, honored, and ecstatic to be able to transition into the field of education within my hometown community. I am so thankful to work alongside so many incredible individuals in Great Bend and to be able to support my students with their future endeavors.
 

How did your academic experience at KU prepare you for your professional life?

My academic experience at KU provided both the scientific knowledge and the problem solving skills I use every day as a teacher. In the microbiology program, I developed a strong foundation in various biological concepts, laboratory techniques, and critical thinking, which allows me to explain complex processes in ways that high school students can understand. Beyond the content knowledge, KU emphasized collaboration, clear communication, and adaptability. These are skills I apply when planning lessons, engaging students with different learning styles, fostering curiosity in the classroom, and in my involvement with different organizations. The rigorous coursework taught me discipline and perseverance, and the supportive faculty modeled the kind of mentorship I strive to provide my own students. My academic experience also encouraged me to explore and ultimately pursue my doctorate through the University of Kansas. The integrity, character, rigor, excellence, and innovation of KU's programs allows me to earn the best possible education and training required to be a leader in the field of education.

What was a favorite class you took and why?

My two favorite classes I have taken at KU has to be BIOL 400 - Fundamentals of Microbiology with Dr. Hotze and Bacterial Infectious Diseases with Dr.Hancock. I was able to take BIOL 400 in one of the new classrooms at the Integrated Science Building (ISB) and offered multiple opportunities to collaborate and work with other microbiology students. We completed drawings, developed presentations, and had tons of fun in class every day. Dr.Hotze did an excellent job at engaging students and showing us how learning can be exciting every day.

Bacterial Infectious Diseases (BIOL 506) was incredibly fascinating. I remember feeling very intimidated at first, but I quickly became engaged and excited for class. Learning about the different pathogens, diseases, symptoms, and immune system responses was very intriguing. Dr. Hancock was also able to explain the material in a manner that offered very detailed and thorough opportunities to explore the information at hand. I absolutely loved his class. Both of these courses offered lab components, which provided us an opportunity to practice what we were learning in class. We grew multiple colonies of bacteria on several different types of agar and explored how different agars and conditions can affect bacterial growth. These classes were truly fascinating and were taught by incredible professors.

What extracurricular activities were you involved in, if any?

I was actively involved in Phi Delta Epsilon (PhiDE), a pre-medical, co-ed, academic fraternity. I met so many amazing individuals through this organization, many of which I am so thankful to call my lifelong friends. In addition to PhiDE, I was a Health Navigator at Watkins Health Center on the KU Campus and I was a Student Desk Assistant for the Office of the Provost in Strong Hall. Both of these work places included amazing staff, who were so kind, caring, and fun. They made my time at KU unforgettable and were always extremely supportive. In the KU Biology program, I was a Biology Ambassador and helped with chalking the sidewalks outside of Haworth hall and with sharing information about the biology program with new students.

Do you have a favorite KU memory?

My favorite KU Memory has to be traveling to New Orleans in 2022 to watch the Men's basketball team win the National Championship from the front row. I had the best time of my life screaming and cheering on our Jayhawks. On the day of the championship, my friends and I spent the entire day camped out on the sidewalk outside of the Caesars Superdome talking and hanging out with other Jayhawks who had made the journey. While I was pretty sunburned, it was completely worth it. After the game, I was asked to complete an interview with a local news program, but I had lost my voice from cheering and screaming, so I sounded pretty rough! I also received many messages and videos from family and friends that we were seen on TV. It was truly an unforgettable experience.

Did you have any research/internship opportunities and/or professor/mentor relationships that influential?

In the Summer of 2022, I was able to participate in a Hospital Shadowing program in Ferrol, Spain for 4 weeks! I was able to observe consultations and surgeries in ophthalmology, gynecology, urology, and general surgery. This was an amazing opportunity to explore a new country, while also being able to observe the differences in culture and health care in Europe. While I did not participate in research, I was very fortunate to have Dr. Hotze as ou rprofessor for our BID Lab course. I was able to get to talk with her, the GTA's, and my classmates through that program. I had so much fun growing bacteria alongside my peers.

What advice do you have for current or prospective University of Kansas students?

Advice I have for current and prospective University of Kansas students is to become involved in at least one extracurricular activity and to build relationships with their professors. Take a chance and try something new. I met so many amazing people through my involvement in PhiDE and throughout my undergraduate courses. I would highly encourage students to step outside of their comfort zone and talk with those who have similar and different interests with you. College only happens once in your life, and one of the beautiful parts about KU is there are so many diverse people with various backgrounds.

Why should a KU undergraduate consider majoring in biology?

Majoring in biology at KU isn’t just about lectures and labs—it’s about joining a community of people who are just as curious about life as you are. You get to work side-by-side with professors and classmates who become study partners, lab teammates, and friends. The program gives you plenty of chances to collaborate on various topics, share ideas, and learn from each other, which makes the work way more engaging. You’ll build not only your science knowledge, but also the teamwork and communication skills that make you ready for whatever comes next in your life, whether that’s grad school, a career in healthcare, teaching, or something you haven’t even discovered yet. KU's program will provide the challenge, rigor, excitement,excellence, and engagement you need to be successful at the next step of your career.