Mike Rishell has joined the Wichita State University Foundation as the new director of development for the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He fills the position previously held by Sharon Miles, who now leads the philanthropic efforts of the Episcopal Social Services at Venture House in Wichita, Kan.

Rishell has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education, from WSU and Vanderbilt University, respectively. He is in candidacy for his doctoral degree at Michigan State University and anticipates receiving it in December. 

 Most recently, Rishell completed service as the executive director for developmental and external relations for the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin.

With more than 23 years of experience, his career has been spent primarily as an academic unit-based development director during major comprehensive campaigns in leading research universities. Prior to his assignment at the University of Texas, Rishell led a $125 million fundraising campaign at Michigan State for its Broad School of Business and spearheaded the initial planning of a $400 million campaign for the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He also has served as a vice president at the University of Arizona Foundation.

"I'm happy to have come home to Wichita State," Rishell said. "Raising money for my alma mater excites me greatly, and I look forward to helping realize the dreams of the academic programs at the Fairmount College."