Author: James Schisler

The Cummings Student-Managed Investment Fund (CSMIF) at the Barton School of Business opened the 2025-26 academic year with serious momentum, announcing a 20% portfolio increase over the previous year — one of the most successful periods in the fund’s history. The news was shared during CSMIF’s annual fall kick-off event, where students and mentors also introduced the fund’s dynamic new leadership team and outlined their vision for the year ahead.

Housed within the Barton School, CSMIF provides students with real-time experience managing an investment portfolio backed by actual capital. The fund is designed to offer practical, real-world learning that supports a variety of career paths while fostering both personal and professional growth.

Maggie Topping, senior vice president of Human Resources & Communications at Textron Aviation and the Barton School of Business fall 2025 J. Robert Young Executive-in-Residence, will lead a keynote fireside chat alongside Luke Pankey, chief information officer at Textron Aviation, as part of the James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series.

Their presentation, “Driving Innovation Forward: Textron Aviation’s Balanced Approach to AI, Talent, and the Transformation of Work,” will explore how the company is navigating workforce, technology and organizational change at a global scale.

The keynote event is at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium.

Doors open at 9 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP at wichita.edu/executive-in-residence-keynote.

The Barton School of Business proudly welcomes Lynda Jackson, an England-based communications expert, as its fall 2025 J. Robert Young Executive-in-Residence. Jackson is a distinguished communications specialist and strategist, organizational psychologist, global speechwriter and public speaking coach. She brings a wealth of global experience to her clients and has advised presidents, prime ministers and Fortune 500 executives.

“I love working with others and helping people of all ages gain confidence as communicators and leaders,” said Jackson. “I am honored and excited to work with Barton School students, faculty, staff, and the local community as the newest Executive-in-Residence.”

In this role, Jackson will engage students through mentoring and networking sessions, while also collaborating with the Barton School’s leadership team and faculty throughout the semester. Her residency will culminate in a public keynote address as part of the James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series during the fall 2025 semester titled: “Leading with Impact: The Power of Communication to Connect, Inspire, and Transform.” This dynamic presentation will explore the power of effective communication in leadership — highlighting strategies for driving change, inspiring teams and leading with purpose. The keynote will take place at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 29 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium. RSVP to the keynote.

The Barton School of Business today launches “Barton Foresight: AI Outlook,” a new publication exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping business, education and society. As the first in a series of Barton Foresight initiatives, “AI Outlook” underscores the school’s commitment to equipping its community — and the wider region — with tools to anticipate change and act on it.

In 2022, the Barton School introduced the Bloom Plan, a living framework designed to accelerate enrollment growth, improve retention, raise the school’s profile and expand its impact across research, fundraising and workforce development. With the Bloom Plan in place, the school established Barton Foresight to extend this momentum by helping organizations anticipate future trends and prepare practical responses. Barton Foresight also works inwardly, supporting Barton’s faculty, staff and students in developing the capacity to navigate and shape emerging market shifts.

The Barton School of Business has taken a bold step to amplify the student voice by merging its Undergraduate and Graduate Student Advisory Boards into a single, unified body. Representing more than 2,500 business students, the newly established Barton School Dean’s Student Advisory Board will serve as a catalyst for strategic guidance, enhanced programming and an enriched student experience — all contributing to the Barton School’s advancement and its positioning among the top business schools in the nation.

Leading the board is Maley Hansen, a Wichita native and accomplished junior double-majoring in economics and data-driven marketing & intelligence, with minors in business analytics and political science. A recipient of the prestigious Harry Gore Memorial Scholarship, Hansen has distinguished herself through academic excellence, campus leadership and a dedication to student success.

“I am deeply honored to serve as president of this transformative new board,” Hansen said. “By bringing together both undergraduate and graduate perspectives, we can unify our voices, champion meaningful change, and ensure that every student feels empowered to shape their Barton School experience.”

Maggie Topping, senior vice president of Human Resources & Communications at Textron Aviation and the Barton School of Business fall 2025 J. Robert Young Executive-in-Residence, will lead a keynote fireside chat alongside Luke Pankey, chief information officer at Textron Aviation, as part of the James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series.

Their presentation, “Driving Innovation Forward: Textron Aviation’s Balanced Approach to AI, Talent, and the Transformation of Work,” will explore how the company is navigating workforce, technology and organizational change at a global scale.

The keynote event is at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium.

Doors open at 9 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP at wichita.edu/executive-in-residence-keynote.

Michael Horn, bestselling author of “Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career,” will present a dynamic keynote as part of the Barton School of Business’ fall 2025 James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series, “The New Career Playbook: Mastering Job Moves in a Changing World.”

Horn’s talk will share fresh insights on navigating career transitions, identifying opportunities and taking ownership of personal and professional growth.

The keynote event is at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 in Woolsey Hall, followed by a networking session.

Doors open at 9 a.m. After the keynote, there will be networking and book signing in the atrium. The first 75 attendees will receive a complimentary copy of “Job Moves.” This free event is open to the public. RSVP at wichita.edu/new-career-playbook.

The Barton School of Business is proud to announce Michael Horn as the keynote speaker for its fall 2025 James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series. Horn is the author of several influential works, including the national bestseller “Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career.”

His engaging and insightful presentation, “The New Career Playbook: Mastering Job Moves in a Changing World,” will draw from his latest book to provide attendees with a fresh perspective on identifying their personal “quest for progress,” evaluating opportunities and taking ownership of their career paths.

This free public event will be held at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 18 followed by a networking session. The first 75 attendees will receive a complimentary copy of “Job Moves.”

For details and to RSVP, visit wichita.edu/new-career-playbook.

The award-winning Widener Global Leaders Program is proud to announce an exciting expansion as it enters its fifth year, welcoming Wichita State University students in business, communication, music or fine arts. This strategic growth reflects our continued commitment to developing the next generation of global leaders.

This milestone follows the recent graduation of WGLP’s 2024–2025 cohort, celebrated in a special ceremony this past May. Program highlights included immersive sessions on strengths discovery, strategic communication, business acumen, global mindset, financial literacy, the intersection of music and leadership, along with a private jet experience at Textron Aviation and a wide range of impactful networking opportunities.

“One of my favorite activities was the vision board session, where we got to be creative and reflect on our goals,” said Olivia Wessley, WGLP participant and economics major. “WGLP was an amazing experience. It made me a better leader and opened my eyes to what’s possible for my future.”

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. In honor of this momentous occasion, a dedicated committee of industry leaders, alumni, faculty and staff has been formed to commemorate the school’s rich legacy through a series of events and special recognitions. Esteemed alumni Rachel Douglass, senior manager of communications and external affairs at Textron eAviation, is serving as the committee chair, and Ashtyn Rottinghaus-Schrag, senior consultant at Deloitte, is fulfilling the role of committee vice chair.

“I am deeply honored to collaborate with an outstanding group of industry leaders, alumni, faculty and staff to transform this monumental milestone into a series of impactful, celebratory engagements that will cultivate a profound sense of pride and belonging for all those connected to the Barton School.” shared Douglass. “I’m confident that the milestone will celebrate 100 years of profound impact, but also illuminate a future of possibilities and promise for the next century.”

“This is more than a celebration of our proud history; it marks an energizing new chapter that unites the people who have shaped the Barton School’s story and reaffirms our role as a leader in business education. Together, we’re building upon a legacy that will inspire and empower future generations.” added Rottinghaus-Schrag.