Riccardo Harris, executive director of college and career readiness at Wichita State, was recently featured on the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) podcast — “On the Ground” — which focuses on the challenges and triumphs of the GEAR UP community.
Harris, a native of Wichita, is an acclaimed public speaker and published author who has been on the front lines for social justice and student advocacy for three decades and counting. He has written over $5 million in grants while expanding WSU’s GEAR UP imprint and leveraging this brand as means of making college accessible, affordable and attainable for youth who come from marginalized ethnic and social populations.
On the podcast, Harris discusses the value of the Common App and NACAC fee waivers, which allow GEAR UP students across the country to have their application fees waived. Harris emphasizes the value of allowing students throughout the nation to apply for Wichita State free of charge.