(Graphic: Aerial photo of campus)
FALL ADDRESS AUGUST 12, 2026
Speaker Bios
(Graphics: This section is accompanied by photos of each speaker.)
Gabriel Fonseca
President, Staff Senate
Dr. Gabriel Fonseca serves as Staff Senate president and the executive director of Student Engagement & Belonging, where he works to build students into leaders and foster a welcoming campus community. His expertise in areas such as student government and student advocacy play a pivotal role in amplifying the voices of our Shockers and ensuring that their concerns are addressed effectively.
Victoria Koop
President, Faculty Senate
Dr. Victoria Koop is Faculty Senate president and associate professor of educational leadership in the College of Education, where she teaches and mentors doctoral students. Her research focuses on student- and community-engaged leadership with an emphasis on inclusive education and support for populations with disabilities. She is committed to supporting faculty and students and expanding educational opportunities for underserved communities.
Ashlie Jack
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Dr. Ashlie Jack, vice provost for Academic Affairs, began her career at Wichita State in 2012 as an assistant professor of literacy and linguistics. In 2015, she advanced to an administrative role in the College of Education, serving first as assistant dean and accreditation officer and then later as associate dean and accreditation officer. In 2022, she moved into administrative roles in the Office of the Provost, where she was charged with providing strategic direction, overseeing accreditation, and taking leadership of the university’s Strategic Enrollment Management plan.
Samuel Reader
Senior, Mechanical Engineering
Samuel Reader, senior in mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics, came to Wichita State from Fort Worth, Texas. He works as a team lead at NIAR. Samuel is a husband to his wife, Jane, and soon-to-be father of their first son, Shepherd, expected in October. He strives to use the knowledge and experience he has been blessed with at NIAR and Wichita State to create a meaningful impact in the world and encourage those around him to become all they were made to be.
Stephan Moore II
Senior, Mechanical Engineering
Stephan Moore II, senior in mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics, hails from Oklahoma City. He serves as the chief engineer for WSU's Shocker Racing Baja SAE team and has worked as a team lead for the National Institute for Aviation Research for more than two years. Outside of academics and engineering, Stephan competes as a sprinter with Shocker Track Club, recently winning a national title at the USATF Masters outdoor championships, balancing his passion for athletics with his commitment to innovation and leadership.
Monica Lounsbery
Senior Executive Vice President and Provost
Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost, has served as senior executive vice president and provost since 2025. With her strong background in academic leadership, she leads the Division of Academic Affairs, providing oversight and support for the university’s academic colleges and key areas such as graduate school, research, student success, libraries and online learning. Dr. Lounsbery is deeply committed to institutional effectiveness, student success and academic excellence.
Rick Muma
President, Wichita State University
Wichita State President Rick Muma was named the 15th president of Wichita State University on May 6, 2021, after serving as the interim president on two separate occasions. Under Dr. Muma’s leadership, Wichita State has expanded the breadth and depth of its influence through several significant initiatives and achievements, all guided by three priorities: providing an affordable and accessible education, developing the talent pipeline, and increasing economic prosperity for the community and state.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2025-30
STUDENT CENTERED. INNOVATION DRIVEN.
University Priorities
Helping families through access and affordability
Supporting kansas businesses with a talent pipeline that meets employer needs
Increasing economic prosperity with higher education that benefits the kansas economy
University Priorities
Student Centeredness and Campus Culture
Empower students, faculty and staff to create a supportive culture that inspires growth, meets evolving needs and fosters success.
Partnership and Engagement
Advance industry and community partnerships to provide quality educational opportunities and collaborations to satisfy rapidly evolving community and workforce needs.
Research and Scholarship
Find solutions to emerging problems and accelerate the discovery, creation and dissemination of new knowledge and innovation.
University Values
Academic Excellence
Students, faculty, and staff at Wichita State University advance education through engaging, rigorous experiences—delivering high-quality programs, fostering lifelong learning, and generating meaningful outcomes.
Integrity
Students, faculty, and staff at Wichita State University uphold the highest standards of honesty, transparency, ethical decision making and personal accountability - fostering trust and respect in every aspect of university life.
Community
Students, faculty, and staff at Wichita State University foster belonging through shared purpose, pride, and meaningful connection—cultivating lasting relationships across campus and beyond through collective experiences that strengthen identity and inspire engagement.
Collaboration
Students, faculty, and staff at Wichita State University work across disciplines and roles with mutual respect, trust, and shared purpose—communicating openly, supporting one another, and combining strengths to drive innovation and workforce development.
Innovation
Students, faculty, and staff at Wichita State University embrace forward-thinking solutions—seizing emerging opportunities with intention, creativity, adaptability, and bold action to drive transformation, spark discovery, and knowledge that shapes a better future.