Overview
Pierre Harter is the Associate Vice President for Research and Industry Engagement at Wichita State University. In this role, he leads major research and development initiatives, identifies opportunities for new interdisciplinary programs and industry partnerships, and supports growth strategies across the university’s research community – for both faculty-led academic research and applied research within the Division of Industry and Defense Programs.
In addition to his university-wide leadership, Harter maintains an active applied research portfolio. He oversees research programs within the National Institute for Aviation Research and the National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation, working closely with multiple university departments and laboratories. His current focus areas include artificial intelligence, digital transformation, UAS/C‑UAS, and advanced manufacturing.
Harter joined Wichita State in 2020 following more than two decades in engineering, R&D, and executive leadership roles at Spirit AeroSystems, Bombardier Learjet, and Adam Aircraft Industries. He was an FAA Designated Engineering Representative and also spent some time as a consultant in the aerospace industry.
He earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Wichita State University, conducting research in NIAR’s Advanced Materials/Composites Lab. He also holds an M.B.A. from Newman University, where he later served as an adjunct lecturer. He previously spent nine years on the Wichita State University Board of Trustees. He currently serves on WSU’s AI Strategy Council, the USD 385 Board of Education, the Industry Advisory Board for WSU’s College of Engineering, and is the Director of the Kansas Space Grant Consortium and the Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program.
Recognized for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to applied research, Harter has extensive experience in aerospace engineering, program management, advanced manufacturing, automation, research and technology development, composites, materials & process engineering, and aircraft design, structural test and certification.