The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has officially merged its Departments of Marketing and Economics into a single, unified academic unit: the Department of Marketing and Economics. This strategic alignment, approved by the Kansas Board of Regents, is effective immediately and reflects the Barton School’s commitment to interdisciplinary innovation, academic collaboration, and operational efficiency.
Seth Cockrell, who has served as Chair of the Marketing Department since 2024, has been appointed Chair of the newly merged department. With unanimous support from faculty across both disciplines, Dr. Cockrell assumes this role bringing a strong blend of industry experience, academic leadership, and forward-looking vision.
“This merger represents an exciting and strategic step forward for the Barton School,” said Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School of Business. “By uniting two disciplines that are deeply interconnected in both theory and practice, we are creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation in teaching and research, and thoughtful resource optimization. I can’t think of a better leader to guide this transition than Dr. Cockrell.”
An accomplished academic and former SAP consultant, Dr. Cockrell has led curriculum innovation efforts, launched signature networking initiatives such as the annual Marketing Mixer, and strengthened industry engagement through advisory boards and mentorship opportunities. Under his leadership, the Marketing Department modernized its academic offerings while reinforcing a strong culture of student success and professional readiness.
The merger comes at a time of broader transformation across higher education, as institutions seek more integrated and sustainable academic models. Faculty from both departments expressed strong support for the unification and for Dr. Cockrell’s appointment.
The new department structure is expected to deliver several key benefits:
- Interdisciplinary Synergies: Marketing and economics jointly address foundational questions related to markets, consumer behavior, pricing, and policy. Areas such as behavioral economics and consumer research are well positioned for deeper integration. Recent co-authored publications by faculty from both disciplines highlight an established history of successful collaboration.
- Operational Efficiency: The merger streamlines leadership and administrative structures, supporting a more sustainable approach to faculty governance and resource allocation—particularly important in today’s evolving higher education environment.
- Enhanced Academic Experience: Students will benefit from expanded mentorship networks, cross-listed courses, and interdisciplinary advising that better reflects the complexity of real-world business challenges.
The Barton School’s Behavioral Economics Laboratory will also serve as a catalyst for continued integration, supporting faculty collaboration across marketing analytics, consumer insights, and decision-making sciences.
“I am honored to lead this newly formed department and to build on the strengths of both marketing and economics,” said Dr. Cockrell. “Our faculty are already collaborating in meaningful ways, and this merger will allow us to further elevate our teaching, expand our research impact, and better prepare students for success—while aligning closely with the Barton School’s mission of innovation and applied learning.”
For more information on the Department of Marketing and Economics, visit https://www.wichita.edu/business