On Aug. 3, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education issued a National Call to Action to University Presidents and Governing Boards, asking every postsecondary institution to publicly articulate its commitments to academic excellence, research, national service and restoring public trust in higher education by the end of 2026.
Committee Formation
University deans and constituency senate leadership were asked to recommend two individuals to represent their areas and contribute to the committee's work.
From those recommendations, the co-chairs will assemble a committee that provides broad university representation, shared-governance participation, relevant subject-matter expertise and a range of perspectives.
Charge
The WSU University Advisory Committee provided broad university perspective and shared-governance input as WSU developed its response to the seven areas identified in the Department of Education's National Call to Action.
- Wichita State’s mission, vision, and strategic plan were the foundation for our response.
- WSU's existing direction and priorities positioned the university to respond without changing course or starting or stopping initiatives solely for this request.
- A written response and a central landing page provides WSU's response and connects visitors to the programs, policies, initiatives and outcomes that demonstrate our commitments.
Roster
| Name | Title | College or Department |
|---|---|---|
| Mat Muether | Associate Vice Provost Faculty Affairs, Co-Chair | Academic Affairs |
| Shelly Coleman-Martins | Vice President Strategic Communications and Marketing, Co-Chair | Strategic Communications |
| Kimberly Engber | Dean | Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College |
| Erin Tims | Honors College Student Council member, Student Support Services Chair for SGA | Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College |
| Bobby Berry | Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean | College of Education |
| Chelsea Redger-Marquardt | Assistant Dean-Honors/Assistant Professor | College of Education |
| Jacob Mendez | Assistant Dean for Student Success | College of Engineering |
| Anil Mahapatro | Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs | College of Engineering |
| Wendy Hanes | Assistant Dean | College of Fine Arts |
| Jeff Pulaski | Professor | College of Fine Arts |
| Jeremy Patterson | Dean, College of Innovation and Design and Professor, Executive Director Innovation and New Ventures, Katherine and Edith Erker Faculty of Distinction, Director, Human Performance Lab | College of Innovation and Design |
| Doug Stucky | Director and Assistant Dean Innovation and Design | College of Innovation and Design |
| Brent Mai | Dean, University Libraries and Professor | WSU Libraries |
| William Weare | Associate Dean for Academic Engagement and Public Services and Associate Professor | WSU Libraries |
| Voncella McCleary-Jones | Associate Dean, Health Professions and Professor | College of Health Professions |
| Heather Henderson | Associate Dean of Research , Compliance, and Accreditation, Health Professions | College of Health Professions |
| Carolyn Shaw | Professor | Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Will Parcell | Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator | Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| John Perry | Associate Dean, Barton School of Business, Professor and Associate Dean, Accreditation and Support Services | W. Frank Barton School of Business |
| Mehmet Barut | Chair and Professor | W. Frank Barton School of Business |
| Michael Birzer | Director, Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub and Professo | Graduate School |
| Heidi Stinchcomb | Associate Professor | Graduate School |
| Andy McFayden | Executive Director, Strategic Communications | WSU Tech |
| T.J. Boynton | Faculty Senate Executive Committee members, Associate Professor | Faculty Senate |
| Raina Rutti | Faculty Senate Executive Committee members, Chairperson and Clinical Associate Professor of Management | Faculty Senate |
| Chris Leonard | President-Elect of University Staff Senate, Director Counseling Services, Psychologist | University Staff Senate |
| Gabriel A. Fonseca | President of University Staff Senate, Executive Director Student Affairs | University Staff Senate |
| Jayden Island | Student Body President | Student Government Association |
| Matthew Phan | Speaker | Student Senate |