With the recent retirement of Dr. Linnea GlenMaye, the Office of the Provost will implement a strategic reorganization to better align with institutional priorities and enhance support for faculty and academic programs.

A new Office of Faculty Affairs will also be established, led by an associate vice provost — who will be an experienced member of the WSU faculty. An internal search to identify the appointee will be launched soon. This new office will address key gaps related to faculty and their appointments, improve operational efficiency and ensure continuity in advancing the university’s strategic goals. It will also strengthen the administrative framework supporting faculty-related policies, programs and initiatives.

With a focus on faculty excellence, retention and career development, the associate vice provost will lead efforts in shared governance, workload assignments, compensation practices and evaluation systems. This role will also oversee the Faculty Advancement, Retention and Excellence (FARE) Office and will lend support to the Academy for Effective Teaching, reinforcing Wichita State’s commitment to a thriving academic environment.

Separately, all existing academic program-related responsibilities will be reorganized under Dr. Ashlie Jack, who will serve as vice provost for Academic Affairs. She will oversee the newly formed Office of Academic Programs. The Office of Academic Programs will support curriculum, enrollment, student success, assessment/accreditation and strategic planning. The office will be structured as outlined below:

Dr. Alicia Thompson
Dr. Alicia Thompson, associate vice provost for PreK–12 Engagement, will lead strategic planning and implementation of PreK–12 programs and services, including TRIO, GEAR UP and Upward Bound. She will cultivate partnerships with university colleges, WSU Tech and school districts to support student success and strengthen the talent pipeline.

Bobby Gandu
Bobby Gandu, associate vice provost for Strategic Enrollment Initiatives, will lead Undergraduate Admissions, Shocker Transfer Accelerator, Shocker Academy, dual/concurrent enrollment and Shocker Career Accelerator. He will also oversee strategic partnerships with community colleges, KC Scholars and the Rudd Scholars program.

Dr. Brett Bruner
Dr. Brett Bruner, associate vice provost for Student Success and Persistence, will continue leading initiatives to improve retention, persistence and graduation rates. His portfolio includes:

  • Office of Student Success
  • Office of Online and Adult Learning
  • Media Resources Center
  • Advising and First Gen Initiatives
  • One Stop Student Services
  • Hispanic Serving Initiatives
  • Academic Intervention and Student Support

Gina Crabtree
Gina Crabtree, associate vice provost for Enrollment Services and University Registrar, will continue leading the Registrar’s Office and now oversee:

  • Office of International Education
  • Graduate Enrollment Management
  • Satellite Locations
  • Transfer and Articulation
  • General Education and Curriculum

Kim Moore
Kim Moore, assistant vice provost for Enrichment Programs, will continue leading professional development, university conferences, noncredit programs, community education and commencement — supporting lifelong learning.

Sheelu Surender
Sheelu Surender, assistant vice provost for Financial Aid and Scholarships, will provide strategic leadership for financial aid and scholarship programs, ensuring compliance and effectiveness in collaboration with state and federal agencies. Her work will help remove financial barriers and support student achievement.

These changes, which will go into effect as of today, reflect our office’s ongoing commitment to faculty and academic programs.

Wichita State recognizes the importance of mental health and well-being for faculty and staff. The university offers a variety of resources to support employees during challenging times.

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP provides confidential counseling services, crisis intervention and workshops on stress management and coping strategies.
  • Peer support: In addition to professional resources, employees are encouraged to lean on their colleagues for support. Building a strong network of coworkers can provide emotional support and a sense of community. If you are concerned about one of your colleagues or students, submit a CARE Team report.

Wichita State supports a university environment where everyone on campus can engage in open dialogue, express their viewpoints respectfully and feel supported in their well-being. Civil and open discourse are cornerstones of academic life.

Everyone at WSU has a responsibility and duty to act in kindness, curiosity and be willing to listen when engaging with others both on and off campus.

Remember, it’s okay to seek help and talk about your feelings. Wichita State is here to support you.

The Roundhouse podcast. Inside Shocker Athletics with Paul Suellentrop

President Rick Muma sat down with Paul Suellentrop on the Roundhouse podcast to discuss his book “Student Centered, Innovation Driven: A Guide to Transforming Higher Education,” the changes to the university over the past decade, as detailed in the book, and why President Muma believes those moves represent the future of education.

They also discussed how much time he spends each week on athletics, its importance to the university and community, and how athletics is more strategic in how it operates under Kevin Saal, director of athletics.

Wichita State has renewed its membership to the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), and that means faculty, staff and students have access to a number of perks that are available to members:

Get started by making your account with AAC&U and put Wichita State University as your affiliated institution, and encourage your students to take advantage of their benefits as members of an AAC&U institution.

Eikana Kipruto runs in the JK Gold Classic 6k

Wichita State sophomore Elkana Kipruto won the 6k race to help the Shocker men claim their fourth-straight JK Gold Classic team title on a muddy Saturday morning at Clapp Cross Country Course.

The Mosoriot, Kenya native ran 18:41.49 in his Shocker debut to claim Wichita State’s first individual JK Gold Classic men’s win since Bryce Merriman won the 2022 title.

For the women, freshman Mercy Jepkoech was the first Shocker across the line for the second-straight meet, finishing third in the 5k race in 18:34.9.

Join Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub (UReCA) for an evening dedicated to undergraduate research, featuring networking, interactive sessions and a keynote address at a research mixer starting at 5 p.m. Oct. 20 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

Agenda highlights:

  • 5:15 p.m.: Networking session
  • 5:45 p.m.: “What is Research?” (for new researchers) and faculty panel: “What Makes a Standout Research Assistant?”
  • 6:30 p.m.: Real Talk: Undergraduate Students on Their Research Experiences & WSU Lab Highlights
  • 7 p.m.: Keynote address

The free event is open to faculty and undergraduate students. Food will be provided on a first-come basis.

Join Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub (UReCA) for an evening dedicated to undergraduate research, featuring networking, interactive sessions and a keynote address at a research mixer starting at 5 p.m. Oct. 20 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

Agenda highlights:

  • 5:15 p.m.: Networking session
  • 5:45 p.m.: “What is Research?” (for new researchers) and faculty panel: “What Makes a Standout Research Assistant?”
  • 6:30 p.m.: Real Talk: Undergraduate Students on Their Research Experiences & WSU Lab Highlights
  • 7 p.m.: Keynote address

The free event is open to faculty and undergraduate students. Food will be provided on a first-come basis.

Members of the Shocker women's golf team at the Payne Stewart Memorial

Shocker women’s golf posted a near program-best team score on its way to a second-place finish at the Payne Stewart Memorial Sept. 9.

The Shockers runner up finish came behind round scores of 301, 290, and 290, firing an 881 (+27) for the week. It’s the highest team finish for the Shockers since October 2022, when the Shockers won Creighton’s Big ‘O’ Classic. The team score of 881 is the third best in Shocker history, just six strokes off tying the team record set in March 2019.

Only tournament host Missouri State topped the Shockers, posting an 867 (+15) score to take the team crown.

For the Shockers individually:

  • Mackenzie Wilson led the way, finishing tied for eighth on the leaderboard. Her teammates weren’t far behind her as no Shocker finished lower than 22nd on the individual leaderboard.
  • Kate Tilma saved her best golf for last, recording an even par 71 in the final round after posting back-to-back 78 scores in the first two rounds. Her closing act boosted her up 21 spots on the leaderboard. 
    Manon Guille bounced back from a woeful 80 in her opening round, notching back-to-back 72s in her latter two trips around the course. 
    Amelie Paul and Kayla Van de Ven finished 13th and 14th respectfully, each picking up their second top 20 finish on the year.  
    Making her collegiate debut competing as an individual, Magdalena Domine tied for 22nd in her first college golf tournament, including posting a 70 (-1) mark in round two.

President Rick Muma is joined by proud Shocker alums and co-franchisees of Another Broken Egg Café in Wichita. Learn about Jacob O’Connor and Jon Peterson’s vision and the entrepreneurial spirit we strive to foster at Wichita State.

Additionally, in partnership with Another Broken Egg Café, students, faculty and staff can get 10% off when ordering by presenting their Shocker IDs.

Watch the episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts or Apple Podcasts (iTunes).

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