Author: Caelin Bragg

Andrew Hippisley, dean of Wichita State’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has accepted a position as vice provost for Academic Affairs at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). His last day at WSU will be July 2.

David Eichhorn, associate dean of the Fairmount College, will fill in as interim dean while the university conducts a national search for Hippisley’s replacement.

Hippisley has been dean at Wichita State for six years. During his time as dean, the Fairmount College has seen unprecedented growth in research, with proposal dollars nearly doubling from $22 million to $40 million a year and external dollars received increasing from $7 million to more than $13 million a year. Research strategies developed in this time include a discipline-specific workload policy and a buy-out policy.

In his time at WSU, Hippisley also helped launch new programs such as the master’s in mathematical data science, bachelor’s in applied linguistics, bachelor’s in American Sign Language, Associate of Sciences, and certificates in sustainability studies, ArcGIS and space sciences. In addition, he helped create new academic pathways through the Law 3+3 program with University of Kansas School of Law, a 4+3 pathway with the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and articulation agreements with multiple community colleges.

“Under my leadership, the college has overhauled its requirements to reframe them as competencies that are outcomes of a liberal arts education in order to make explicit the career-readiness value of a liberal arts and sciences education,” Hippisley said.

Community engagement has also been one of Hippisley’s priorities as he made strong efforts to strengthen the college’s ties with its alumni base. In partnership with the WSU Foundation, Hippisley has helped secure $24 million to support the mission of the Fairmount College and has developed new industrial and business partnerships, including a legal professions advisory board and an industrial math clinic.

“It has been a pleasure working with Dean Hippisley as both a fellow dean and as a colleague over the years,” said Dr. Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president of Wichita State. “He has brought a vision of collaboration and strategic thinking during his tenure that has resulted in more interdisciplinary programs and increased research productivity across several departments in the college. We wish him well in his new role.”

Wichita State University announces the appointment of Pierre Harter as interim associate vice president for Research.

In this position, Harter will focus on faculty-led academic research, aiming to enhance WSU’s applied research efforts and align both with its vision for applied learning.

Harter also serves as associate vice president of research operations for Industry and Defense Programs. He returned to the university in 2021 after spending 21 years in various executive leadership, research and engineering positions at Spirit AeroSystems, Bombardier Learjet and Adam Aircraft Industries. In his current position, Harter oversees some programs within the National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation and the National Institute for Aviation Research, engaging multiple university departments and IDP labs in interdisciplinary research.

Harter reports to John Tomblin, WSU executive vice president for Research and Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR executive director.

“I am confident Pierre will be an ideal leader for WSU research,” Tomblin said. “He has a passion and track record for bringing together multiple departments to accomplish a broader goal. This will serve WSU well, not only in efforts to increase WSU research programs, but also to grow applied learning and enrollment in graduate and undergraduate programs.”

Tomblin resumed oversight of the division of Research in March.

Harter completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from Wichita State. As a student, he worked in the Advanced Materials Lab at the National Institute for Aviation Research. He earned his MBA from Newman University and was a previously an adjunct lecturer for the business school there. He served on the WSU Board of Trustees for nine years and is currently a member of the USD 385 school board and the Industry Advisory Board for WSU’s College of Engineering.

Faculty and staff will have an opportunity to meet with Harter and Research Office staff at an event in early August.

Rebecca Reiling, director of HR Business Partnering and Engagement, has announced her resignation from her role effective at the end of June. Join in celebrating her time at WSU and help wish her well in her future endeavors at a farewell parting from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, June 28 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room.

During her time at WSU, Rebecca has made major contributions to the university’s HR department and the overall culture at WSU. She’s had a significant influence transforming the team into one that serves as a strategic partner to help departments achieve their goals while navigating all the opportunities and challenges that come along with leading people.

Rebecca will continue in her role through June 14. A transition plan is in the works, which will include Diana Austin taking on an interim role as HRBP supervisor.

Suspenders4Hope, a program developed at Wichita State University, is highlighting different departments and individuals on campus who are advocates for mental health in hopes that their stories will inspire others to continue supporting one another in the community.

The Office of Financial Aid is being recognized for its efforts in alleviating financial stressors for students and being advocates for mental health awareness on campus and in the community. Hear from Sheelu Surender, executive director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, on how the Office of Financial Aid is supporting mental health.

Wichita State University has signed a new admissions partnership agreement with the Kansas Health Science Center-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KHSC-KansasCOM) that will help address Kansas’ physician shortage. This partnership comes on the heels of the recent groundbreaking ceremony of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, a collaboration between WSU and the University of Kansas, adjacent to KHSC-KansasCOM.

The agreement allows a select number of Wichita State students to accelerate their career path with a 3+4 program. Qualified students who meet admission requirements will have the opportunity to begin their first year of medical school in their senior year of undergraduate studies at WSU. After completing their first year at KHSC-KansasCOM, they will receive their bachelor’s degree from WSU, thereby having the opportunity to complete both undergraduate work and a medical degree in seven years.

Visit the Shocker Store in the Rhatigan Student Center for a Stuff the Bag sale Thursday, June 6.

Take an extra 20% off clearance merchandise that you can stuff into the tote bag. Plus, the first 60 people get a free tote. Some exclusions apply. Not valid with other discounts or promotions.

Wichita State University recently won a $10,000 prize in the inaugural Accelerate Pitch Competition that will help the university build on its success with Shocker Pre-Season programs by offering adult learners a chance to start the school year confident and connected.

WSU’s Office of Online and Adult Learning will use the prize from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU) to fund Shocker Pre-Season programs to ensure adult learners have a smooth transition into the university through an adult learner-specific summer bridge program.

“The data shows Shocker Pre-Season programs make a significant impact on student success,” said Brett Bruner, assistant vice president student success and persistence at Wichita State. “Our Shocker Pre-Season programs are events that prepare new Shockers for the academic year. We focus on building social and academic connections and building resource awareness.”

Wichita State’s badge program makes workforce training and continuing education accessible and affordable. Each badge is designed with the practicing professional in mind so coursework can be completed online and at your own pace.

The Diversity at Work series of badges offer essential information about diverse populations and best practices in providing opportunities for all employees. Badges included in this series are:

• Ability at Work
• Age at Work
• Gender at Work
• Origin at Work
• Religion at Work
• Shape at Work

To register for a badge program, follow the admission/enrollment instructions. For additional assistance, fill out the badge form and a representative from WSU will contact you to assist you with the admission and enrollment process.

Braeburn Square on the Innovation Campus hosts many dining options that are open to the entire Wichita community. Check them out for a place to grab lunch on campus over the summer:

• Starbucks
• Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
• Social Tap Drinkery
• Sungrano Pizza
• Wheatly’s Burgers
• Sesame Mediterranean Kitchen
• Jersey Mike’s
• Two Hands Corn Dogs

And don’t forget to check out the NetApp Café inside the NetApp building on the Innovation Campus.

Thank you to those who volunteered to help with the high school state baseball, softball and track events that took place on campus recently. There were more than 30,000 athletes, coaches and spectators in attendance. Volunteers gave over 5,000 people golf cart rides and distributed more than 3,000 bottles of water. Additionally, Wichita State Connect served as the recovery station where attendees could relax in lounge furniture, play yard games and enjoy the A/C between games and events.

Thank you again to all the volunteers for helping welcome these visitors to campus and providing a positive experience. Mark your calendars for next years events, May 30-31, 2025.