Jeremy Patterson has been appointed director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Creativity (IIC). IIC is the home of the Master of Innovation Design and the Leadership Certificate program. Patterson will be responsible for working with leadership and faculty to shape the institute in support of the strategic plan. 

"Jeremy Patterson's contributions during the development of the Master of Innovation Design degree made him a strong candidate for this position," said Tony Vizzini, provost and senior vice president. "His passion for his students and their learning is outstanding and made him the right choice to be the director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Creativity. I am excited to see how his imprint in this key role for Wichita State will develop in the coming years."

The IIC administers and supervises interdisciplinary degrees, certificates and other credentials (e.g., Master of Innovation Design). The institute provides opportunities for faculty across the WSU campus to come together in a collaborative environment to develop/participate in academic programs and related research and creative projects in support of interdisciplinarity.

"I am thrilled to be appointed as the director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Creativity," said Patterson. "During my time here at Wichita State, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, staff and students from various disciplines. Although each discipline has unique needs and faces different challenges, what strikes me most is that ultimately they all have a similar goal of making learning extraordinary.

"I look forward to engaging in conversations across campus and the community about strengthening and expanding collaborations. We have the opportunity to build on Wichita State's reputation and to be a leader in creating new models for academic programs. I'm excited to get started."

The primary goals of the IIC are to encourage independent scholarship and to develop competence in collaborative research and creative activity. Students are expected to master special fields as well as to develop appropriate methods of inquiry for future professional growth.