The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has appointed Dr. Smita Srivastava as associate dean for faculty and research, reinforcing its commitment to advancing faculty excellence across teaching, research and external engagement.
Dr. Srivastava, an associate professor of entrepreneurship and strategy, brings a distinguished record of scholarly achievement and academic leadership focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategy. Her research has been published in leading journals, including the Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, and reflects a strong trajectory toward high-impact scholarship.
In her new role, Dr. Srivastava will lead the development of schoolwide systems and spearhead new initiatives to strengthen instructional quality, increase research productivity, and expand external funding. Her responsibilities include building faculty development pipelines, enhancing research support systems and fostering partnerships with industry and academic collaborators.
“Smita brings a thoughtful and systems-oriented approach to faculty development and research,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “She understands how to build structures that support innovation in the classroom, strengthen research outcomes and extend faculty impact beyond the university.”
Dr. Srivastava said her approach centers on creating systems that enable faculty to do their best work.
“I see this role as an opportunity to shape how we translate faculty excellence into measurable outcomes,’ she said. “That includes stronger teaching, higher-impact research, and increased external funding and visibility.”
Since joining Wichita State in 2020, Dr. Srivastava has contributed to the Barton community through teaching, research and service. She teaches courses including digital entrepreneurship, strategic management and change management in the digital age, and has consistently earned strong student evaluations.
She has also led initiatives that expand opportunities for students and faculty, including founding the NextGen Entrepreneurs student organization and launching a summer entrepreneurship camp. Her service extends nationally through leadership roles with the Eastern Academy of Management and internationally through work supporting women entrepreneurs in India.
The Barton School also recognizes Dr. Chris Broberg for his leadership as chair of the search committee and for his contributions as associate dean for faculty and research. Broberg was recently appointed interim director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, where he will focus on advancing its transformation into a global entrepreneurship and innovation hub.
Additional members of the search committee included John Perry, Mehmet Barut, Seth Cockrell, Chris Stone and Christine Porter. The school also acknowledged the many faculty and staff members who contributed feedback throughout the search process.
Dr. Srivastava holds a doctorate in management from Washington State University and a master’s degree in human resources and labor relations from Michigan State University. Her work reflects a commitment to connecting research, teaching and external engagement to strengthen faculty outcomes and institutional impact.
Her appointment signals continued momentum for the Barton School as it builds a cohesive academic environment focused on applied learning and research with real-world relevance.
For more information about the Barton School’s faculty, research and programs, visit www.wichita.edu/barton.