Overview

Kennedy Rogers serves as the Director of Strengths, Assessment and Staff Experiences for the Division of Student Affairs at Wichita State University. Additionally, she is a certified CliftonStrengths Coach and Facilitator with Gallup Inc. Kennedy serves on multiple campus committees including the University Staff Senate where she served as a Senator, Secretary, and the role of President.

Personal and professional growth has always been a priority and she works to embed development into her work. Her time at WSU over that last five plus years has provided her numerous opportunities to leverage her strengths, areas of expertise, and engage in cross-campus collaboration and student-centered efforts. Prior to joining Shocker Nation in 2017, Kennedy led training and development practices for a national sportswear sales company. Coming from an industry outside of Higher Education, she brought valuable experience to support a vibrant and student-centered environment where students, staff, faculty and administrators are equipped, engaged, and empowered. 

Kennedy holds a Bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership, a Masters in Social Entreprenuership, and is in the process of earning her Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from Wichita State University. Kennedy has learned through her Strengths journey to leverage each of her talents to be effective and reach her goals. She leads with Learner as a parent, professional, and individual discovering every day what life holds. This talents often fuels her curiosity and constantly provides the opportunity for new interests to arise.  Achiever, Woo and Restorative help her to manage projects, time, and responsibilities while Positivity keeps her smiling along the way. "There is a beautiful story that results from discovering our gifts and an energy of empowerment that emerges once we align and leverage them." This is a hope that she holds for everyone engaging with Strengths; to acknowledge and celebrate their Strengths Story and then use their talents to reach their goals in all aspects of their life. 

Personally, Kennedy loves to share stories about her two children, hobbies and life. She always welcomes the opportunity to connect with colleagues on shared experiences, interests, and opportunities to learn or try something new. 

Information

Education and Certifications

Degrees

  • Masters of Liberal Studies (MLS) in Social Entreprenuership 
  • Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Organizational Leadership 

Certifications

  • Gallup Certified Discover Your Strengths Trainer
  • Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach and Administrator
  • Certified Administer of PDP Global's Proscan Inventory
Professional Experience

Director of Strengths, Assessment & Staff Experiences

2022-Present · Wichita State University

Assistant Director, Staffing and Development, Housing & Residence Life

2021-2022 · Wichita State University

Adjunct Instructor

2020-Present · Wichita State University

2015-2020 · Fort Hays State University

Coordinator of Leadership Development, Student Involvement

2017-2021 · Wichita State University

Sales Training Manager

2014-2017 · GTM Sportswear

Sales Representative

2012-2014 · GTM Sportswear

Admissions Counselor

2011-2012 · Fort Hays State University

Awards and Honors

Phenomenal Women Nominee

2023 · Wichita State University

President's Distinguished Service Award

2020 · Wichita State University

Excellence in Teaching Award

2018 · The National Society of Leadership and Success

Breakthrough Award

2018 · Dale Carnegie - Kansas Heartland

Values Award for Demonstrates Courage

2016 · GTM Sportswear

Values Award for Communicates Effectively

2015 · GTM Sportswear

Campus Engagement & Service

University Staff Senate

2021-Present · Wichita State University

  • President · 2024-2025
  • President-Elect · 2023-2024
  • Senator · 2021-2023
  • Secretary · 2021-2022
Facilitation, Presentations & Workshops
  • Gallup Inc.
    • Q12 Employee Engagement Lead Facilitator · 2019-Present
    • Discover Your Strengths Lead Facilitator · 2019-Present
    • CliftonStrengths Coach · 2018-Present
  • NASPA Annual Conference for Graduate Students
    • Co-Facilitator/Presenter · Battling Authenticity in Student Affairs · 2022
  • Collegiate Leadership Competition (CLC)
    • Competition Team Coach · 2020-2021
    • Curriculum Committee Member · 2020-2021
    • Competition Reviewer & Judge · 2018
  • Catalyst by LeaderShape
    • Lead Facilitator · 2020-Present
  • LeaderShape Institute
    • Cluster Facilitator · 2021
    • Program Coordinator · 2017-2020
  • Summer Leadership Institute
    • Lead Facilitator · 2017-2020
  • Emerging Leaders
    • Lead Facilitator · 2017-2020
  • Evolving Leaders
    • Lead Facilitator · 2017-2020
  • Engaging Leaders
    • Lead Facilitator · 2017-2020

Committees & Boards

  • Campus Climate Committee · 2023-Present
  • First Generation Coordinating Council · 2023-Present
  • Specialized Advisor Leads · 2023-Present
  • Shocker Pre-Season Programs · 2022-Present
  • Women's Leadership Initiative Steering Committee · 2022-Present
  • Division of Student Affairs Assessment Committee · 2022-Present
  • KLC Transformation Grant Core Team · 2021-Present
  • Division of Student Affairs Professional Development Committee · 2021-Present
  • Student Affairs Inclusive Excellence Committee · 2021-Present
  • HALA Scholarship Review & Selection Committee · 2024
  • Prevention Services Advisory Board · 2021-2023
  • University Major Maps Steering Committee · 2021-2022
  • Strengths Advisory Board · Chair · 2018-2020

Search Committees

  • Executive Vice President and Provost · 2024-2025
  • Student Program Coordinator · 2023
  • Assistant Director of First-Year Programs · 2023
  • Assistant Director of Strengths, Assessment and Staff Experiences  · 2023
  • Executive Assistant  · 2023
  • *Assistant Director of Staff Engagement · 2022
  • Assistant Director of Educational Engagement · 2022
  • *Student Advocacy Coordinator · 2022
  • Residence Life Coordinator · 2022
  • Coordinator of Fraternity & Sorority Life · 2020
  • Coordinator of Student Activities · 2018
SASE Department

The Strengths, Assessment & Staff Experiences (SASE) department provides outreach, programming and support for the following areas in the Division of Student Affairs. 

The ShockerStrengths Initiative

The ShockerStrengths Initiative at Wichita State University strives to create experiential learning opportunities to help students recognize their talents to develop, leverage, and apply them toward their personal, academic, and professional goals. It’s also about learning to appreciate others’ talents and strengths to accomplish goals together. We approach this through a strengths-based approach focusing on the talents, strengths, and assets that students bring with them to their college experience. 

Learn more

F1RST

Almost half of our student population at Wichita State University identifies as first-generation. We celebrate this first step in your journey and are here to support you every step of the way.

Learn more

ShockerGrow

The Student Employee experience is an extremely high impact opportunity to foster student development. ShockerGrow is our initiative that focuses on this experience from undergraduate student employees to graduate assistants.

Learn more

SAPRO 

Short for Student Affairs Professional, this area focuses primarily on the full-time staff experience. Coordinating events and overseeing the divisions Engagement Agent  Committee, publishing our monthly Harvest Newsletter, and supporting the division onboarding, training, and development initiatives are priorities within this functional area. 

Learn more

Assessment & Retention

As a core function of our department, our office supports the Division of Student Affairs in assessment and retention efforts. From departmental KPI's and Annual Reports to student event evaluations, our team is able to help and assit with DSA departmental needs and requests. 

 

Additional Information & Experience

External & Community Engagements & Experience

  • The Thread Mentor · 2024
  • The Thread Facilitator · 2021-Present
  • K-State Professional Advantage 
    • Presenter: Effective Networking · 2016
    • Co-Presenter: Comunication Ettiquette & Professionalism · 2015
  • Kansas Youth Leadership Academy 
    • Programming Intern · 2010-2011 
    • Group Leader · 2008-2011