Let’s work together to shape a great future for WSU’s students, campus community and Kansas
Hi, I’m Jay Golden, and this is my first semester as Wichita State’s President.
First Tuesday is one of many ways I’ll use to communicate with the campus about why we’re doing what we’re doing and how these initiatives will help our students, campus community and Kansas.
Every university I’ve attended, taught at or helped lead has shaped my philosophy. I’ve also spent months deeply immersed in learning about WSU, Wichita and Kansas. This is a wonderful place and it deserves our best efforts.
I sought and accepted this job because I believe Wichita State is on the trajectory to become one of America’s great public research universities. We have the faculty, staff, facilities, alumni, donors and public support to take this university and our students to the next level in outcomes and reputation.
Our secret sauce will be providing our students a competitive advantage in starting their careers, following a highly affordable education. The ability to take theory in the classroom and apply it to real-world settings will make for better students academically and in career preparation. This is the Shocker Advantage.
As your president, I promise to uphold the values of this institution, values based on transparency, inclusiveness and respect. No matter your race or gender, sexual orientation, your economic background, political beliefs, if you're a first-generation or multi-generation student, you belong at Wichita State, and I will work tirelessly to make sure that you feel you belong.
I’m initially investing my time, and would be grateful if you would invest yours, in these four objectives:
• Improving the student experience
• Increasing enrollment, with an emphasis on affordability
• Strengthening our regional impact
• Ensuring WSU’s financial health
Since the Kansas Board of Regents appointed me in October, I have been fortunate to have people from our campus and community reach out to me with their input on how Wichita State can become an even more impactful institution to benefit our students and the people of Kansas. Their comments were important in shaping my thinking about early steps.
As part of my commitment to shared governance and transparency, I developed multiple
University Task Forces that are beginning the important work of examining opportunities that exist on a range of topics.
Each task force has representatives from divisions and constituency groups across campus. After the results are received in mid-April, we will have multiple town halls to discuss results and steps moving forward.
I appreciate all of your hard work contributing to the strategic planning process, the preparation of background binders for me and your willingness to take time to be part of the many task forces and town halls. All of these are shaping my thinking about Wichita State.
We also launched the President's Convergence Sciences Initiative to strongly encourage faculty and staff research collaborations across traditional department lines. You'll be hearing more details later this month.
You may think this is a lot of change to absorb at one time, but you should be encouraged by looking back at all the university has achieved in recent years, including rising enrollment, greatly increased research funding, the addition of important academic programs and facilities, the expansion of our geographic footprint and the successful affiliations with WSU Tech and the American Athletic Conference.
You have a lot to be proud of, and we can expect a lot more success in years to come. I’m happy to share the journey with you.
