The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) has named Wichita State University as a finalist for its 14th annual Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) Awards. The awards recognize innovative projects or programs in economic engagement.

"At Wichita State, we measure success by the opportunities we create for others," said Wichita State President Rick Muma. "Through applied learning opportunities and industry partnerships, we're helping students build meaningful careers and strengthening communities across Kansas. We're honored to see that commitment recognized by APLU." 

The winners will be announced during the association’s annual meeting in November. Wichita State and the other finalists – East Carolina University, Oregon State University, University of Pittsburgh, Texas A&M University, Wayne State University and West Virginia University – are competing for four awards that recognize exemplary and innovative case studies of economic engagement impact:

• The IEP Talent Award recognizes exemplary initiatives in education and workforce development. 
• The IEP Place Award recognizes exemplary initiatives resulting in social, cultural or community development.  
• The IEP Innovation Award recognizes exemplary initiatives spurring innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-based economic development.   
• The IEP Economic Engagement Connections Award winner, which is the top prize in the awards competition, reflects overall excellence across all three award categories.  

Wichita State University strengthens Kansas' workforce through a comprehensive approach that connects education, industry and community needs. Central to this effort is the university's commitment to applied learning, which guarantees that every degree-seeking student will gain hands-on experience through internships, research, clinical placements and real-world projects with employers and community partners. In 2025, Wichita State students completed more than 12,000 applied learning experiences with over 800 organizations, earning $39.2 million in wages.  

Wichita State further advances workforce development through innovative partnerships that address critical talent needs across the state. The university’s Teacher Apprentice Program™ enables paraeducators to earn teaching credentials while remaining employed in their local schools, helping communities address educator shortages and build sustainable teacher pipelines.  

The university also collaborates with local, state and federal agencies to prepare students for careers in public safety, criminal justice and forensic science. Supporting these efforts is Wichita State's Innovation Campus, where industry, government and university partners work alongside students and faculty to accelerate learning, strengthen talent pipelines and support economic growth throughout Kansas.  

“Congratulations to our 2026 IEP Award finalists,” said APLU President Waded Cruzado. “Public and land-grant universities are major drivers of economic development in communities, states and regions. We’re excited to recognize the excellent work of our IEP Award finalists in meeting workforce needs, advancing community and economic development, and fueling pathbreaking innovation.”  

To be eligible for an IEP award, an institution must first earn the IEP designation from APLU, which recognizes institutional commitment to regional economic development. To earn the IEP designation, universities conduct a rigorous self-study of their economic engagement activities that includes input from external stakeholders. Wichita State earned APLU's IEP designation in 2022. 

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Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 24,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.

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