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The City is our Campus
2023 Faculty and Staff Fall Address with President Muma
Speaker Bios
(Graphics: This section is accompanied by photos of each speaker.)
Jolynn Dowling, President, Faculty Senate
Jolynn Dowling is an associate educator in the College of Health Professions’ School of Nursing and the Janice M. Riordan Distinguished Professor. After spending 16 years working as lactation consultant, neonatal nurse practitioner, and NICU nurse, Dowling joined Wichita State’s faculty in 2005.
Dr. Jason Bosch, President, Staff Senate
Jason Bosch is assistant dean for student success in the College of Engineering. He provides leadership and strategic direction for the Engineering Student Success Center, which supports the growth of the engineering and computing workforce through K-12 STEM outreach; undergraduate recruitment; student success and retention programs; diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and career and professional development.
Dr. Shirley Lefever, Executive Vice President and Provost
Shirley Lefever has been a member of Shocker Nation for 18 years, first serving as chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She then moved on to become dean of the College of Education and guided the college through its transition to the College of Applied Studies. In 2022, she was named provost and executive vice president, focusing on student success, expanding applied learning opportunities, and faculty research.
Dr. Elizabeth King, President and CEO, WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement
Since 1991, Elizabeth King has led the WSU Foundation (now named WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement) and has spearheaded several successful fundraising campaigns — including Shock the World from 20132020, which raised $307.8 million; securing donor gifts for several building projects, such as the Wayne and Kaye Woolsey Hall and the Shocker Success Center; and working with President Muma to raise need-based
Dr. Bobby Berry, Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor, Sport Management, College of Applied Studies
Bobby Berry is the assistant dean for diversity and outreach for the College of Applied Studies and assistant professor in the Department of Sport Management. Among his many campus duties, Berry serves as chair of the First-Generation Coordinating Council, vice president of the African American Faculty and Staff Association, and director of The Fuse, an outreach initiative for the College of Applied Studies.
Dr. Mark Vermillion, Department Chair, Sport Management, College of Applied Studies
Mark Vermillion is chair and professor in the Department of Sport Management and director of the Organizational Leadership and Learning degree program at Wichita State University. He came to Wichita State from Oklahoma State University in 2006, and he specializes in teaching performance psychology, ethics in sports, and organizational leadership.
Dr. Richard D. Muma, President, Wichita State University
Dr. Richard Muma was named the 15th president of Wichita State University on May 6, 2021, and he’s been a member of Shocker Nation for 27 years. Muma earned a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, a Master of Public Health in Community Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He has more than 30 years of experience as a professor, administrator and physician assistant in internal medicine and infectious diseases.
(Graphics: Icons for Access and Affordability; Supporting Kansas Businesses; and Increasing Economic Prosperity)
Strategic Plan
STUDENT CENTEREDNESS
Promote holistic student success through a supportive learning environment in which all of our students — past, present and future — continually thrive and grow.
RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP
Accelerate the discovery, creation and transfer of new knowledge.
CAMPUS CULTURE
Empower students, faculty, staff and the greater Wichita community to create a culture and experience that meets their ever-changing needs.
INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE
Be a campus that reflects and promotes — in all community members — the evolving diversity of society.
PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT
Advance industry and community partnerships to provide quality educational opportunities and collaborations to satisfy rapidly evolving community and workforce needs.
2023-24 priorities
Wichita State University endeavors to build a stronger Kansas and a brighter tomorrow through our relentless commitment to the people, businesses and economy of our state. As such, the university has adopted a strategic plan and vision to be one of the nation’s premier urban public research universities, known for providing impactful applied learning experiences and driving prosperity for the people and communities we serve
Helping families through access and affordability
- Provide an accessible, affordable and impactful higher education for all Kansans.
- Implement plan to increase enrollment. Grow Wichita State enrollment from 16K to 17K by 2025 and WSU Tech enrollment from 4,800 to 6,500 by 2025.
- Equalize completion rates among underserved and non-underserved students.
- Implement Shocker Promise statewide: Full tuition and fees for Pell-eligible families.
- Increase need-based aid.
Supporting kansas businesses with a talent pipeline that meets employer needs
- Increase relevant applied learning experiences that match the needs of industry, agency and community partners.
- Continue the development of the Innovation Campus by attracting potential partners. Complete the Hub for Advanced Manufacturing (HAMR) facility and Partnership Building 11, which will house new Innovative Campus partners.
Increasing economic prosperity with higher education that benefits the kansas economy
- Elevate Wichita State as a premier, urban public research university in the United States.
- Seek and capitalize on opportunities for innovation and research for the Innovation Campus and beyond.
- Increase faculty research and innovation infrastructure.
- Continue to improve support of applied research efforts for industry and defense.
- Open the Digital Research and Transformation Hub in 2024.
- Enter into financially prudent private-public partnerships (P3s) on university-owned property that provide services.
- Develop, enhance and maintain exceptional campus facilities.
- Support Wichita downtown development via hospitality, culinary arts and health sciences.
Vision, Missions and Values
VISION
To be one of the nation’s premier urban public research universities, known for providing impactful applied learning experiences and driving prosperity for the people and communities we serve.
MISSION
To be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.
CORE VALUES
- Integrity
- Transparency
- Personal Responsibility
- Collaboration
- Access and Equity
DISTINCTIVE VALUES
- Seizing Opportunities
- Adaptive Approaches
- Positive Risk-Taking
- Innovation and Creativity
- Knowledge Creation and Dynamic Educational Opportunities