Wichita State breaks records as it breaks barriers
President Rick Muma
Our momentum comes from doing the right things for the right reasons: putting students first, listening to employers and building pathways that connect talent to opportunity.
This fall, our combined enrollment across Wichita State and WSU Tech reached an all-time high of 25,147 students. Over the past decade, enrollment has climbed 27.3% at Wichita State and more than doubled at WSU Tech — proof that our shared focus on student success is working. These numbers tell a story of trust. They tell us that students, families and employers believe in the value of a Wichita State education and its ability to open doors and deliver results.
That value shows up most clearly in applied learning. Over the past year, our students earned a record $39.2 million in paid applied learning experiences, which is an 11% increase from the previous year. Shockers completed more than 12,000 applied learning experiences through internships, co-ops and on-campus jobs that prepare them to make an impact from day one.
This work changes lives. It helps to retain students by providing paid jobs applicable to their major so they don’t have to get another job to pay for school. Students also gain confidence and graduate ready to contribute to their communities. And it helps Kansas employers meet critical workforce needs with graduates who already know how to get the job done.
The success we’re celebrating today was set in motion more than a decade ago, when Wichita State made a bold commitment that every degree-bound student would have the chance to apply what they learn in a real-world setting. That promise continues to guide our decisions and shape the future of this university.
Wichita State’s story is one of purpose and progress. We are a university that’s growing because it adapts and leads with integrity. As we look ahead, our mission remains clear: to create meaningful opportunities for our students and lasting impact for Kansas.
Go Shockers!
Rick Muma
President, Wichita State University