Deltha Colvin, associate vice president of college readiness/retention programs at TRIO Student Support Services, has announced her retirement, effective Aug. 2, after 55 years of service to the university.
During her tenure at Wichita State, Colvin has been a staunch advocate for students through her work with TRIO — including Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Veterans Upward Bound, the McNair Scholars programs and more — and the statewide and local GEAR UP programs.
Colvin was among the first graduates of TRIO Upward Bound, which launched in 1965. Since then, she has served as a leader for the program and students at WSU.
“Deltha Colvin’s legacy at Wichita State is unmatched,” said Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost. “She has been a fierce advocate for first-generation students, a pillar of access and equity, and a guiding light for generations of Shockers. We are deeply grateful for her 55 years of extraordinary service.”
Colvin served as the eighth president of the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP), the largest of the TRIO regional associations that represents 10 states in the Midwest. She was also the president of the Missouri-Kansas-Nebraska chapter of MAEOPP.
In April 2025, Colvin was recognized by Gov. Laura Kelly for her service and for the contributions she has made to the state of Kansas during her over 50 years of service. Earlier that year, Art That Touches Your Heart inducted her into the 2025 Black Educators Hall of Fame.
A paver was donated in honor of Colvin to the Plaza of Heroines by the then African/African American Faculty/Staff Association in 1998. The Plaza of Heroines, located in front of Ablah Library and next to the Shocker Success Center, was dedicated in 1998 as a permanent record of women recognized as heroines. Colvin’s paver can be found in section A02 of the Plaza of Heroines.
In collaboration and out of respect to Colvin’s wishes, the campus will determine the best way to celebrate her career at a time of her choosing.
