Category: Accolades

John Tomblin, executive vice president for Research and Industry and Defense Programs and executive director of the National Institute for Aviation Research, was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Military Additive Manufacturing Summit & Technology Showcase.

Dr. Pam O’Neal, associate director of student engagement in the Office of Online and Adult Learning, has been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities Urban Adult Learner Institute (UALI) for her leadership and dedication as an Urban Adult Learner Institute Fellow.

The APLU and UALI work to build awareness around the needs and assets of adult learners, disseminate best practices on serving them, and advance national momentum in better serving these students.

The Coalition of Urban Serving Universities is a university president-led organization committed to achieving equitable and sustainable economic, health and educational outcomes for historically marginalized and disenfranchised student populations on campus and within urban communities.

“Pam’s commitment to student success is evident in every initiative she leads. We thank her for thoughtful stewardship and the positive impact she continues to make across campus. Her dedication and initiative have not gone unnoticed” Dr. Ashlie Jack, vice provost, said.

David Miller, Senior Vice President for Administration, Finance and Operations, was recognized with the 2025 Alumni of the Year from the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs.

Natalie Delacruz — Ph.D., RDH, FADHA, associate professor and assistant director of BSDH Degree Completion Program in the Department of Dental Hygiene — was appointed as vice president of the Kansas Dental Hygienists Association.

Details: Appointed to serve as the Vice President of the Kansas Dental Hygienists’ Association, contributing to leadership, member engagement, statewide advocacy initiatives, and the planning and coordination of annual continuing education events for dental hygiene professionals. Additionally serves at the national level as an alternate delegate to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association House of Delegates, representing Kansas in national discussions and policy review.

Dr. Voncella McCleary-Jones, Professor and Associate Dean for Academic, Faculty and Student Affairs in the College of Health Professions dean’s office, was elected as a governor-at-large for National League for Nursing.

Trisha Self, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, was recognized with the Dr. Palmer Practitioner in Healthcare Award from Heartspring.

Dr. Stacey Kampe, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, was recognized as Audiologist of the Year from the Kansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

The Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College has been recognized for the second year as a Partner in Peace institution.

Description: Partners in Peace (PiP) exists as a collaboration between the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) and the Nobel Peace Center (NPC), located in Oslo, Norway. Operating within the International Education Committee of NCHC, PiP enables students, faculty and institutions to study and implement practices utilized by Nobel Peace Laureates in their attempts to achieve harmony and collaboration between individuals. The proposal to expand a “Peace Across the Curriculum” initiative submitted by Kimberly Engber (English), Chelsea Redger-Marquardt (sport and leadership studies), Carolyn Shaw (political science), Jodie Simon (sociology) and Rannfrid Lasine Thelle (history/religion) includes an honors first-year colloquium experience and modules in department/thematic courses with reading and/or viewing materials from Nobel Laureates and guests working in peace organizations. Additional faculty are invited to join this initiative.

Wichita State was announced as a member of the inaugural cohort of sixteen Partners in Peace institutions November 2025.

Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost, was elected as president of the National Academy of Kinesiology.

Dr. Stephen Lewia, Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Physician Associate, was appointed as the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) liaison to the American Medical Association (AMA).