2024-2025 Outstanding Alumni Carla Eckels

The Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University is honoring 1984 graduate, Carla Eckels, as the Outstanding Alumna for the 2024-2025 school year.

Eckels, the Director of Organizational Culture and host of “Soulsations” at KMUW, the NPR affiliate for Wichita, has spent her career serving the community through programming focused on race and culture.

“Carla goes well out of her way to mentor young journalists and interns,” Debra Fraser, the KMUW general manager said, “introducing them to contacts that are hard to reach and sharing some of the challenges ahead that they can prepare for today — especially minority students.”

Eckels has received multiple awards, including a National Edward R. Murrow Award, a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, multiple awards from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, a Shine Award from StoryTime Village and the Carlisle Award.

An inductee in The Kansas African American Museum’s Trailblazers Hall of Fame and a member of the Kansas Association of Black Journalists, Eckels is intentional about producing content for a diverse audience.

“That’s always my goal,” Eckels said when talking about the impact her work has on the community. “That people learn something new, or that they find out about somebody that may have an impact on them.”

Each year, the Elliott School recognizes Outstanding Alumni who have contributed to the school and made an impact on the Wichita community. Eckels’ influence is felt through her work with students, giving back to WSU and her national-reaching gospel channel, “Soulsations.”

“Carla’s the only person on the radio you can hear smile,” said Tom Shine, the KMUW Director of News and Public Affairs. “She’s outgoing, caring, giving and a great ambassador for Wichita State.”

One piece of advice Eckles has for students is to not be discouraged from going to grad school. She said, “I wish I would’ve gone back. I was discouraged from going back, actually, because someone said to me, ‘Why do you need it?’ And I wish I would have not listened.”

The Elliott School is proud to honor Carla Eckels as the newest Outstanding Alumna, following honorees Deanna Harms (2022-2023) and Kirk Seminoff (2023-2024).