Committees
Council Members are assigned to one of the five committees to assess and address the University's multifaceted, complex needs. Our committees are charged with reviewing current practice, researching best practices, supporting the development of diversity education and learning and providing recommendations that assist Wichita State University achieve its strategic plan goals.
Committees may change over time to reflect the evolving nature of diversity work and strategic objectives, as determined by the President and the Council.
The Enrollment, Admissions and Recruitment (EAR) committee researches and advices best practices on the recruitment of diverse faculty, staff and students, while making policy recommendations that would improve processes revolving around recruitment. The committee works with the vice president of Military, Veterans and First Responders and University departments on creative programs and initiatives that assist in accomplishing the Council's goal of recruitment.
Committee Members:
- Gergana Markova, Chair
- Rhonda Lewis, Co-chair
- Larry Burks
- Sheelu Surender
- Stacia Lyday
- Muhammad Usmani
The Retention and Engagement of Diverse Groups committee focuses on creating an engaged campus climate where diverse faculty, staff and students feel welcomed and included. The committee works with the vice president of Military, Veterans and First Responders and University departments on creative programs and initiatives that assist in accomplishing the Council's goal of recruitment.
Committee Members:
- Jaya Escobar-Bhattacharjee, Chair
- Alex Johnson, Co-chair
- L. Chris Brown
- Aaron Hamilton
- Krishna Krishnan
- Ana Lazarin
- Guy Schroeder
The Marketing and Communications committee focuses on all forms of strategic communications, including University websites, social media platforms and other communication channels, to provide a comprehensive marketing message that showcases Wichita State University's efforts in diversity. Each year, the committee coordinates a diversity showcase for the University in efforts to give Shocker Nation a glance of the successes from individuals, departments and organizations in the campus community that were made possible through diversity.
Committee Members:
- Carmen Hytche, Chair
- Quang Nguyen, Co-chair
- Mehmet Barut
- Monica L. Calhoun
The Benchmarking, Research and Analysis committee concentrates its efforts on researching internal, state and national data to utilize a pertinent assessment tool that would create a diversity and inclusion scorecard. The data would also be reviewed in order to create and implement a diversity and community engagement survey. In addition, the committee prepares an annual report for the Council with updates and recommendations revolving around diversity.
Committee Members:
- Gary Brooking, Chair
- Voncella McCleary-Jones, Co-chair
- Cheyla Clawson Chandler
- Jean Griffith
- Kevin Harrison
- Janet Twomey
The Campus Culture and Student Outreach committee is the voice of undergraduate and graduate students at Wichita State University. This committee focuses its efforts to communicate with student organizations and Student Government Association (SGA) to address diversity challenges, topics and opportunities. Every quarter, the committee will coordinate a diversity town hall just for students, while working actively to assess the campus climate and make recommendations.
Committee Members:
- Bobby Berry, Chair
- Riccardo Harris, Co-chair
- Breann Gilkey
- Robert Weems