Overview
Kennedy Rogers serves as the Director of Strengths, Leadership and Student Impact for Student Engagement and Belonging within 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 Entrepreneurship, 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
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
Director of Strengths, Leadership & Student Impact; Interim Director of Belonging & Experiences
2025-present · Wichita State University | Student Engagement & Belonging
Director of Strengths, Assessment & Staff Experiences
2022-2025 · Wichita State University | Division of Student Affairs
Assistant Director, Staffing and Development
2021-2022 · Wichita State University | Housing & Residence Life
Adjunct Instructor
2020-Present · Wichita State University
2015-2020 · Fort Hays State University
Coordinator of Leadership Development
2017-2021 · Wichita State University | Student Involvement
Sales Training Manager
2014-2017 · GTM Sportswear
Sales Representative
2012-2014 · GTM Sportswear
Admissions Counselor
2011-2012 · Fort Hays State University
Pillar in Connecting Every Student Award: Empower
2025 · Wichita State University
Young Professional in Technology, Innovation, and Education
2025 · Wichita Business Journal
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
University Staff Senate
2021-2026 Wichita State University
- Past-President · 2025-2026
- President · 2024-2025
- President-Elect · 2023-2024
- Senator · 2021-2023
- Secretary · 2021-2022
- 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
- Student Success & Persistence Coalition · 2023-Present
- Shocker Pre-Season Programs · 2022-Present
- Division of Student Affairs Assessment Committee · 2022-Present
- Women's Leadership Initiative Steering Committee · 2022-2025
- Division of Student Affairs Professional Development Committee · 2021-2025
- Student Affairs Inclusive Excellence Committee · 2021-2025
- KLC Transformation Grant Core Team · 2021-2024
- 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
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