Shockers Up!
Wichita State University is more than a campus where students learn and study. It’s a place to solve problems, to do research, to forge a pathway to a better tomorrow. It is a community where the dreamers, doers, and Shockers of the future are encouraged to push boundaries, think critically, and pursue their passions.
Vision and Mission
VISION
To be one of the nation’s premier urban public research universities, known for providing impactful applied learning experiences and driving prosperity for the people and communities we serve.
MISSION
To be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.
Strategic Goals
Click on an icon or header link to see WSU efforts and objectives in support of each strategic goal.
Student Centeredness
Promote holistic student success through a supportive learning environment in which all of our students — past, present and future — continually thrive and grow.
Campus Culture
Empower students, faculty, staff and the greater Wichita community to create a culture and experience that meets their ever-changing needs.
Inclusive Excellence
Be a campus that reflects and promotes – in all community members – the evolving diversity of society.
Partnerships and Engagement
Advance industry and community partnerships to provide quality educational opportunities and collaborations to satisfy rapidly evolving community and workforce needs.
University Values
CORE VALUES
Values that have always underlined the culture at Wichita State.
- Integrity
- Transparency
- Personal responsibility
- Collaboration
- Access and equity
DISTINCTIVE VALUES
Values necessary to achieve the goals of the strategic plan.
- Seizing opportunities
- Adaptive approaches
- Positive risk-taking
- Innovation and creativity
- Knowledge creation and dynamic educational opportunities
Major Initiatives
Diversity, Engagement and Inclusion
It is essential to our mission to ensure that each member of the community has full opportunity to thrive. We believe diversity is key to individual flourishing, educational excellence and the advancement of knowledge.
Visit the DEI website
Student Success and Persistence
Wichita State has embarked on an initiative that will use data and campuswide coordination to bring student supports to scale, increasing enrollment, retention and graduation rates for all students.
Visit the SSP website2021-22 Priorities
Wichita State University endeavors to build a stronger Kansas and a brighter tomorrow through our relentless commitment to the people, businesses, and economy of our state. As such, the university has adopted a strategic plan and vision to be one of the nation’s premier urban public research universities, known for providing impactful applied learning experiences and driving prosperity for the people and communities we serve. These three priorities drive the work of the strategic plan.
- Provide an accessible, affordable and impactful higher education for all Kansans with increased community connections1,2
- Proposed enhancements: Marcus Welcome Center, Clinton Hall, Hubbard Hall and Rhatigan Student Center.
- Diversify and develop our faculty and staff to better reflect our student body and region.2
- Shocker Promise: Full tuition and fees for Pell-eligible families.1,2
- Increase need-based aid.1,2
RELATED SECTIONS
In addition to aligning the strategic goals with the three priorities, Wichita State is also focused on advancing the persistence of all students from admission to graduation1 with a university-wide strategic focus to build a culture that values transparency, accountability, and communication around issues of diversity and inclusion2. With this focus, you will find the first priority aligned with the National Institute for Student Success priorities and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan.
1 National Institute for Student Success priorities.
2 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan (https://www.wichita.edu/dei)
- Provide relevant applied learning experiences that match the needs of industry, agency, and community partners.
- Become a nationally recognized leader in digital transformation and SMART manufacturing.
RELATED SECTIONS
- Support faculty-led interdisciplinary research initiatives (2020-2023).
- Support the needs of the region through the newly formed Strategic Engagement and Planning office.
- Continue the development of the Innovation Campus by attracting new partners and establish the Maintenance, Repairing and Overhaul (MRO) initiative.
- Continue developing and supporting innovation and new ventures.
- National Center for Aviation Training expansion.
- University Village: Enter into financially prudent public-private partnerships on university-owned property that provide services.
- Support Wichita downtown development via hospitality, culinary arts, and health sciences.
- Enhance compensation and professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
RELATED SECTIONS
Sections
Wichita State by the Numbers
- Founded in 1895
- Student body from all 50 states, 111 countries, and six continents
- 76.8% of our graduates are employed in Kansas
- Wichita State Students have 2nd highest earnings out of college for any research university in Kansas
- Wichita ranks No. 1 of 100 largest US metro areas in manufacturing jobs as a percentage of all jobs.
- Of 100 largest U.S. metro areas Wichita ranks No. 1 in percentage of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM occupations).
- Wichita ranks No. 3 among metros for highest concentration of engineers per 1,000 employees.