Overview
Gabriel Fonseca is a dedicated professional who has a deep commitment to student development and engagement in higher education. Serving as the executive director of Student Engagement & Belonging at Wichita State University, Gabriel works to build students into leaders while fostering an inclusive campus community through his service to the university.
Having spent over six years at Wichita State, Gabriel's dedication to student development and advocacy is demonstrated through the various contributions to the university. His expertise in areas such as Student Government and Student Advocacy played a pivotal role in amplifying the voices of students and ensuring that their concerns were addressed effectively. Prior to joining the university, he gained valuable experience at Bethel College, where he was responsible for student activities and engagement. His time there provided him with an understanding of building a vibrant campus life and enhancing the overall student experience.
Gabriel holds a Bachelor's degree in communication, a Master of Education in student and leadership development in higher education, and a Doctorate of Education in educational leadership at Wichita State University. Beyond this, he continues to build strong connections with students, faculty and staff, investing his time in creating positive relationships around him. Outside of work, Gabriel loves to hang out with his friends and family and watching movies.
Degree
- Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership
- Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Student and Leadership Development in Higher Education
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication
Office Contact
For questions, concerns, or other inquiries, please contact Tatum Witham at tatum.witham@wichita.edu
Information
Executive Director, Student Engagement & Belonging
2023-Present · Wichita State University
Interim Executive Director, Student Engagement
2023-2024 · Wichita State University
Director, Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership
2022-Present · Wichita State University
Interim Director, Student Involvement
2021-2022 · Wichita State University
Assistant Director, Student Government Association
2021 · Wichita State University
Assistant Director, Student Involvement
2018-2021 · Wichita State University
Director of Student Activities & Engagement
2017-2018 · Bethel College
Coordinator of Student Activities & Engagement
2015-2017 · Bethel College
Resident Director & Coordinator of Student Activites
2014-2015 · Bethel College
Lead, Learn & Serve Program Coordinator, Ridgeview High School
2013-2014 · Richland School District #2
Drum Major Award: Continuing the Dream
2022 · Wichita State University
Partnership Paladin of the Year Award
2020 · Students Learn, Students Vote Coalition & National Conference on Citizenship
Rising Star Award, Unclassified Professionals Senate
2020 · Wichita State University
Outstanding New Professional of the Year
2016 · National Association for Campus Activities
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion aims to cultivate and sustain an inclusive campus. We strive for academic excellence by creating an environment that educates, empowers and mobilizes our students, campus and community. In our community, our members view themselves as ambassadors for fundamental freedoms and respect the differences in others. The office provides dynamic programs, which range from speakers and film showings to award ceremonies, cultural festivities and LGBTQA programming — each representing a small piece of the diversity displayed on the WSU campus.
Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership
The Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy and Leadership exists to facilitate an engaged campus culture where students are empowered to maximize their potential by creating opportunities for personal growth and world-readiness.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association is a student-run organization that represents the entire student body of Wichita State University. The Association's purpose is to foster leadership skills, encourage school spirit, and teach democratic principles among students. It advocates for the development and advancement of student interests both inside and outside of the University community.
LGBTQ+ Task Force
Comprised of faculty and staff, the LGBTQ+ Task Force makes ongoing assessment of attitudes and conditions throughout Wichita State University regarding LGBTQ+ issues.
Men of Excellence
Men of Excellence is a program that focuses on undergraduate and graduate students at Wichita State University. This group supports the Educators of Tomorrow at this institution and the experiences that they share.
Student Success & Persistence
Student Success & Persistence is a Strategic Enrollment Management initiative to increase retention, persistence, and graduation rates for all students.
University Staff Senate
The University Staff Senate works to foster communication and collegiality among staff of the University. The senate also provides representation for staff and is liaison to the university administration and others regarding issues of concern, while initiating and reviewing policies and procedures relating to staff and being a cultural driver for staff that reflects the values of Wichita State University's Strategic Plan.
Institutional Service at Wichita State University
Facilitator
- Men of Excellence · 2020-Present
- Staff Facilitator · 2020-Present
- Catalyst · 2020-Present
- Lead Facilitator · 2020-Present
- Shocker Leadership Experience · 2023
- Lead Facilitator · 2023
- LeaderShape Institute · 2019-2021
- Co-Lead Facilitator · 2020-2021
- Cluster Facilitator · 2019
- Summer Leadership Institute · 2018-2020
- Lead Facilitator · 2020
- Family Facilitator · 2018
University Staff Senate
- Past-President · 2022-present
- President · 2021-2022
- Vice-President · 2020-2021
- Organizational Governance Chair
- Student Affairs Senator · 2019-2021
Committees & Boards
- Student Affairs Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives Committee · 2023-Present
- Chair · 2023-Present
- Student Affairs Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee · 2020-Present
- Chair · 2023-Present
- Homecoming Steering Committee · 2022-Present
- Chair · 2022-Present
- Family Weekend Steering Committee · 2022-Present
- Chair · 2022-Present
- Rhatigan Student Center Board of Directors · 2022-Present
- Director · 2022-Present
- Richard D. Muma and Rick A Case Equality Scholarship Selection Committee · 2022
- Higher Education Student Affairs Program Advisory Council · 2022
- Shockers Vote! (Voter and Election Engagement) · 2020-2021
- Steering Committee Chair · 2020-2021
Task Forces
- Hispanic Serving Institution Task Force · 2022-Present
- University Equity Task Force | 2021-Present
- Sub-Committee Chair · 2021-Present
- LGBTQ+ Task Force · 2020-Present
- Chair · 2023-Present
- COVID Operations Task Force · 2021-2022
- COVID-19 Reintegration Team · 2021-2022
- President's Task Force on Campus and Community Inclusion · 2020
- President's Task Force on New Academic Partnerships · 2020
Working Groups
- Rhatigan Student Center Expansion Project Team · 2020-Present
- Clinton Student Success Center Project Team · 2020-Present
- Free Expression Working Group · 2020
- Author · 2020
Search Committees
- Dean of the College of Applied Studies · 2022
- Student Diversity Program Coordinator, Diversity & Inclusion · 2022
- Assistant Director for Student Affairs Staff Engagement · 2022
- Executive Vice President and Provost · 2021-2022
- University Budget Analyst · 2021
- Coordinator of Student Diversity Programs, Diversity & Inclusion · 2020
- Coordinator of First Year Programs, Student Success · 2019
- Coordinator of Student Conduct and Community Standards · 2019
- Residence Life Coordinator, Housing & Residence Life · 2018
Other Engagements
Involvement
- District One Advisory Board, City of Wichita (Government Appointment) · 2020-2021
- NACA® Summer Series, Student Government · 2020
- Facilitator · 2020
- NACA® Central Regional Conference Committee · 2018
- Educational and Professional Development Coordinator · 2018
- Professional Development Coordinator · 2017
- Harvey County Head Start Policy Council · 2016-2018