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Martha Lewis has been with Wichita State for 13 years. As the director of Trio Disability Support Services, Lewis has worked to advance educational opportunities and accommodations for students with physical and psychological disabilities.
Lewis’ colleagues describe her as compassionate, dedicated, and charismatic.
“She made the commitment to ensure that anyone in the state who needed services would receive them,” said Deltha Colvin, associate vice president for Special Programs for Campus Life and University Relations.
To back that commitment, Lewis has put significant effort into finding additional funding for the program. Through grant writing, Lewis has earned the university over $1.2 Million for TRIO DSS.
“Her passion for the success of students at the university often takes her personal time, as the Department of Education will not allow the painstaking process of writing grant proposals to take place during working hours,” said Shanda Burch, executive assistant to the vice president of Campus Life and University Relations. “Grant writing can take years and I have personally seen Mrs. Lewis stay up until three or four a.m. working on a grant or Department of Education reports.”
Lewis understands that sometimes, the difference between student success and setbacks is the support and genuine interest of a staff or faculty member. This understanding has led her to organize a recognition banquet each year for students and their families. Attendees include President and First Lady Bardo, WSU vice presidents, deans and department chairs, and faculty and staff who have helped her students.
“It gives the students and their family special attention and shows that the university really cares about their success,” says Corinne Nilsen, executive director for Kansas Kids @GEAR UP.
In addition to the recognition banquet, Lewis also attends the graduation ceremonies of each of her students on her own time.
“She knows that if the student looks out and sees her smiling face, he or she has the university’s support, and that is so very important.” Nilsen said.