Overview
Dr. Sheree Utash, Ed.D., serves as President of Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), formerly known as Wichita Area Technical College (WATC). Since assuming the presidency in 2015, Dr. Utash has led WSU Tech through a period of significant transformation, including the pivotal 2018 affiliation with Wichita State University and the transition from WATC to WSU Tech. Prior to her presidency, Dr. Utash served as Vice President of Academic Affairs for eight years, where she expanded high-demand technical programs and enhanced academic standards. Today, WSU Tech is Kansas' largest technical college, serving over 8,000 students, and is the managing partner for the National Center for Aviation Training.
Dr. Utash brings a unique blend of experience from both higher education and private industry, offering visionary leadership in technical education and workforce development. She has overseen academic programs in manufacturing, aviation, IT, specialized trades, healthcare, and general education while providing strategic oversight for faculty, grants management, adult literacy, and resource planning. Her expertise in securing and managing grant-funded initiatives includes leadership of the National Aviation Consortium, a $15 million grant project that united two-year colleges across five states to meet the aviation industry’s workforce demands.
Beyond WSU Tech, Dr. Utash has been a prominent voice in workforce policy. She was selected as a member of the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board and has testified before the U.S. Senate’s Commerce Committee on Aviation, advocating for growth in the aviation industry and the critical need for skilled aviation workers. Her civic leadership includes being named Honorary Commander of the McConnell 22nd Refueling Wing in 2018, SkillsUSA Postsecondary Administrator of the Year for Kansas in 2017, and NAACP Wichita Chapter Person of the Year in 2016. Her advocacy for technical education has driven economic development in Wichita, attracting businesses and fostering growth within the community.
Dr. Utash holds an Ed.D. in Community College Leadership from National American University, an M.A. in Liberal Studies (focusing on Communication, Education, and Sociology) from Wichita State University, and a B.S. in Journalism and Marketing from Kansas State University.
Office contact
Paula Pitts, ppitts@wsutech.edu