After a successful inaugural year, Wichita State’s Spero program is entering its second year. Spero — Latin for “hope” — helps individuals achieve lasting independence through skill-building and access to meaningful employment. Participants complete employer- and market-oriented training that leads to micro-credentials, making Spero the first micro-credential program in WSU’s history and the first 1EdTech TrustEd Micro-credential program in the world.
In its first year, 82 percent of participants graduated across both tracks. Within the Career Readiness cohort, 20 students completed the program, and 15 secured employment. In the Entrepreneurship track, 18 students graduated, with 7 advancing to the Venture Advancement Program (VAP) — a follow-on initiative designed to grow participants’ ventures through consulting, mentorship and hands-on operational support with a commitment to strengthen operational profit (EBITDA).
Building on these outcomes, interest in Spero has continued to rise. To meet the expanded demand, the program now operates three sections, including a new morning track for Career Readiness. The new class was officially welcomed on Aug. 29 during a kickoff event in Woolsey Hall that brought together students, faculty, business leaders and community members.