Category: From the Provost

As you are likely aware, there have been many recent executive orders and federal actions. Our campus leadership is closely monitoring all these actions, and we are evaluating their potential effects on our students, faculty, staff and operations. We are diligently gathering information and assessing the full scope of all orders, proposals and recent developments to determine both the short- and long-term implications to better understand how we will need to respond and, if possible, mitigate impacts.

We understand questions are arising from our campus community. Please understand that executive orders will be followed by government and expert guidance, and possibly court challenges. Therefore, immediate and comprehensive communication is challenging. We value the importance of receiving timely direction, and we are working to balance those needs with providing accurate and meaningful answers and information through the appropriate campus community channels.

Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost

Dear Wichita State family:

It is an extraordinary honor to hold appointment as your new senior executive vice president and provost! I believe Wichita State University’s evolving model of higher education is the future, and I find it so inspiring to be here with you to drive responsive innovation that puts our students and their success at the center of building a stronger and more vibrant Wichita and beyond.

Wichita State’s dynamic enterprise — including our students, faculty, staff, our Innovation Campus, the National Institute for Aviation Research, WSU Tech and the upcoming Wichita Biomedical Campus — reflects a deep commitment to being future-forward and driving a university model of the future. I could not be more excited or prouder to be a part of this great university and cannot wait to meet each and every one of you!

In my career, I have been deeply committed to advancing academic and inclusive excellence; fostering the success of students, faculty and staff; expanding the research enterprise; and strengthening existing public-private partnerships while forging new ones to support the university’s mission and the communities it serves.

My background and passions are so uniquely aligned with Wichita State that, although I have only been on the job for a few weeks, it already feels like home. I want to thank President Muma for entrusting me to serve in this incredible role, and I also want to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of my predecessor, Dr. Shirley Lefever, whose visionary leadership has left a lasting legacy for Shocker Nation. I am deeply honored to able to build upon the strong foundation she established.

In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to learning more about our students, faculty and staff, our campus and the community of Wichita. I am eager to hear your ideas and begin our work together. To those whom I have met, thank you for welcoming me to Shocker Nation. I am thrilled to join such a forward-thinking and dedicated community, and I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together.

Warm regards,
Dr. Monica Lounsbery

Dear Shockers,

As my tenure as provost and executive vice president of Wichita State University comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on my time here, the friendships made and the work accomplished. Having had the opportunity to serve alongside such a wonderful community of faculty, staff, students and partners has been among the most rewarding in my career.

In 2005, my decision to leave the University of Arkansas and join WSU brought with it a profound sense of coming home. From my beginnings as an elementary teacher to where I am today, I have always believed that to teach students effectively, you must first understand them deeply. This philosophy lies at the heart of WSU’s mission, making my opportunity to serve at this institution — one so closely aligned with my passions and core educational beliefs — truly a dream come true.

What first drew me to WSU was its unwavering commitment to student success. That focus has guided me with a strong sense of purpose every single day. Together, we have embraced innovation, fostered inclusivity and championed initiatives that empower students to thrive — both academically and personally.

There’s something very special about WSU: It feels like a community of kindred spirits. It’s rare to work alongside so many people who share the same beliefs and dedication to the same goals. That is why I will always treasure my time here. Because, at the end of the day, it is — and always will be — about our students.

We have also embraced a clear understanding of the role we play in responding to the needs of our broader community. Whether through collaborative partnerships, research that drives progress or programs designed to address urgent challenges, WSU truly exemplifies what it means to be a student-centered, innovation-driven campus. These shared efforts reflect on your dedication to education, student empowerment and your commitment to making a positive impact in the communities we serve.

As I step into the next chapter of my life, I do so with the conviction that Wichita State’s journey is only just beginning. This institution is far more than a place of learning; it is a vibrant, compassionate community that will continue to lead, inspire and shape generations to come.

It is a community that I have been proud to be a part of. I am immensely grateful to each of you for the privilege of serving as your provost. I will carry the memories of each of you and the lessons I’ve learned here with me always.

With heartfelt gratitude and enduring Shocker pride,
Dr. Shirley Lefever

Welcome back for the spring semester, Shockers! I hope your break was restorative and that you’re ready to start the new year off strong. There are amazing things happening here in Shocker Nation, and each of you are what make Wichita State so great.

As a way to celebrate you and kick off the semester with a bit of fun, I’d like to invite you to the second annual Winter Welcome, from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 at the President’s Residence, behind Wilner Auditorium. Enjoy ice skating, an inflatable snow globe, a life-size Lite Brite, free snacks and drinks — and a chance to spend time with your friends and colleagues.

Wishing you a successful and fulfilling semester, and I look forward to seeing you all on campus later this week.

Dr. Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president

Welcome to Wichita State, Shockers! Or if it’s not your first time here – welcome back!

I love this time of year. It’s always so fun to meet new students and their families and to be part of the excitement of new beginnings!

I hope these first few weeks of campus life are a great experience for you. You may find yourself with a multitude of questions, from “Where is Jabara Hall?” to “Who’s my advisor?” If so, please know that’s OK! Everyone has questions. There is nothing wrong with that. You are not supposed to know everything. But, if you DO have questions, please ask them! 

Go to OneStop, reach out to your instructors, your success coach or anyone really, and ask your question. We are all here to help.

In my role as provost of WSU, I am privileged to lead the academic experiences that shape your educational journey. My goal is to support every single one of you in academics and your growth as thoughtful, engaged and successful individuals.

From our offices in 107 Morrison Hall — please feel free come by and see me — my team and I are committed to enhancing your overall university experience in several ways.

For example: 

• Academic excellence: Our team in Academic Affairs works with each college and student support offices to ensure that the academic experiences you are engaged in are intellectually stimulating and aligned with the demands of our evolving world.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion: As the most diverse campus in the state, I firmly believe that the vibrant mix of cultures and backgrounds that characterize Wichita State University is our most valuable asset. We strive to create a space where everyone flourishes.
• Supporting you holistically: Your emotional and physical well-being are crucial to your success. Our team collaborates with departments and offices across WSU to ensure that support systems are in place to address your holistic needs. That includes services such as counseling, health and wellness, tutoring, paid internships and co-ops, our Shocker Support Locker and many others… the list is extensive.
• Research and innovation: Wichita State is a hub for innovation and discovery, and we’ve built a solid reputation around solving problems for our community and our state. One way we do that is through the applied research happening across campus. Whether you’re a first-year undergrad or earning your Ph.D., there are tons of chances to participate in incredibly interesting and useful research.
• Applied learning: This term may be new to you. Basically, because of our location in Kansas’ largest city – and through the many partnerships we have with businesses all over the state and right here on our Innovation Campus — students have more opportunities than you’ll ever find in the typical college town to apply their learning in real-world settings through internships, co-ops, student employment and applied research positions. Last year, WSU students earned more than $30 million through nearly 9,000 of these applied learning experiences.

I’m honored to be a leader at Wichita State, and everyone in my office and across campus is dedicated to ensuring that your educational experience is transformative, inspiring and empowering.

I’m privileged to work alongside our talented faculty and staff to make this journey exceptional for each student. Our doors are always open, and your voices are heard.

If you have any questions about what you read here today, check out our website, ask me on my social media (@wsuprovost on Instagram; @WSU_Provost on X) or send an email here.

Have a great year.

Go Shockers!
Provost Shirley Lefever

Dear colleagues,

You may have heard this week that the Kansas Board of Regents approved our request to raise fall tuition by 5.9%. I know that number feels big, and raising tuition is something we wish we could avoid.

However, each year, we must consider all the costs of doing business so we can provide the best quality education and continue to support Kansas families, businesses and the economy.

An important note is that three of the past four years, Wichita State has avoided raising tuition. And with this increase, that averages a 1.7% increase over five years — still keeps WSU as one of the most competitively priced universities in our state.

But the realities of growing inflation costs have made it harder for all Regents universities to maintain current tuition.

With that background, I wanted to provide more detail about what WSU is doing with that increased tuition.

The 5.9% increase to fall 2023 tuition will help fund the following:

• student success and recruitment
• graduate teaching assistants
• scholarships
• retaining talented faculty and staff to support students
• facilities operation
• capital assessment

As always, growing need-based aid and scholarships for students is a huge priority for us.

A great recent example is the $4.2 million in additional funds recently allocated to WSU so we can continue to provide need-based aid for those who struggle most to pay for college.

We remain proud of and committed to our efforts to provide an accessible and affordable education and will continue to work hard to help all students succeed at Wichita State.

Shirley Lefever,
Provost

In our ongoing focus on strategic enrollment management and our continued emphasis on prioritizing student success and persistence, the provost’s office has been re-organized to align all Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) offices under Dr. Ashlie Jack, as senior associate vice president for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Enrollment Management.

This alignment will enable a more coordinated effort among the offices responsible for recruitment and retention focusing on student success throughout their academic journey. 

“Supporting our students’ experience from recruitment to graduation is vital in ensuring every student is successful in accomplishing their academic and career goals,” says Provost Shirley Lefever. “This revised structure will optimize our ability to respond to student needs in a more coordinated fashion.” 

SEM offices reporting to Jack include the following:

• Brett Bruner, assistant vice president of Student Success and Persistence (Retention Initiatives)
• Gina Crabtree, university registrar and director of Enrollment Services
• Sara Mata, HSI executive director
• Vince Altum, executive director of International Education
• Kim Moore, executive director of Workforce, Professional and Community Education
• Bobby Gandu, assistant vice president of Strategic Enrollment Management and director of Admissions
• Sheelu Surender, executive director of Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Aaron Hamilton, program director, One-Stop Student Services

I’m pleased to announce that Dr. Jennifer Friend will be joining Wichita State starting Jan. 9, 2023, as dean of the College of Applied Studies.

Dr. Friend comes to us from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, where she has spent five years, most recently as the associate provost for Academic Affairs and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

She also spent 12 years at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and 13 years as a teacher and principal in the Shawnee Mission School District.

Dr. Friend’s focus supports culturally responsive learning, research opportunities and community engagement — with an emphasis on diversity, integrity, collaboration, discovery and leadership.

Those goals, along with her 30 years of experience working in education, make her the perfect fit for Wichita State.

I want to extend my gratitude to the dean’s search committee and to Interim Dean Clay Stoldt, who contributed so much as he served in the interim role for two years.

I can’t wait for Dr. Friend to come on board and begin meeting and working with our campus community.

Sincerely,

Shirley Lefever, executive vice president and provost

Hello, Shocker family, and welcome home to Wichita State University. The beginning of a new academic year is always bursting with new energy, ideas, and new faces; and I’m eager to see what exciting innovations, research and discoveries grow from that enthusiasm.

As you prepare for classes be sure to take advantage of the support services available to our faculty and staff. I look forward to seeing you around campus and engaging with you to help Shocker Nation achieve our goals.

Following a national search for the Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art creative and executive director, Vivian Zavataro has been selected for the position, effective Oct. 16.

Zavataro is the director and chief curator of the John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art of the University located in Reno, Nevada. In that role, Zavataro successfully led the museum through a transition from a gallery to a university-based museum. She also brings extensive international experience after working for museums and galleries worldwide and has earned a master’s in museum and heritage studies from the University of Amsterdam.

As the creative and executive director, Zavataro’s immediate priorities will include providing strategic leadership in collaboration with faculty, staff, students and other key internal and external stakeholders.

“Vivian has a passion for diversity, equity and inclusion and an eye toward innovation that makes her a perfect fit for Wichita State University,” said Shirley Lefever, WSU executive vice president and provost. “She also brings a dedication to strong community engagement that will contribute to the future success of the museum.”