The Barton School of Business is the home of real and applied learning. A place where
students apply knowledge gained from faculty and business leaders while developing
professional and life skills. The Barton School is among the top 1% of business schools
worldwide due to its double AACSB accreditation in business and accounting. Housed
in the award-winning Woolsey Hall, the school features artwork, sculptures, gardens,
and The Promise Bridge—a 300-foot-long pedestrian bridge over the water in front of
the building.
The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has officially merged its
Departments of Marketing and Economics into a single, unified academic unit: the Department
of Marketing and Economics. This strategic alignment, approved by the Kansas Board
of Regents, is effective immediately and reflects the Barton School’s commitment to
interdisciplinary innovation, academic collaboration, and operational efficiency.
Seth Cockrell, who has served as Chair of the Marketing Department since 2024, has
been appointed Chair of the newly merged department. With unanimous support from faculty
across both disciplines, Dr. Cockrell assumes this role bringing a strong blend of
industry experience, academic leadership, and forward-looking vision.
“This merger represents an exciting and strategic step forward for the Barton School,”
said Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School of Business. “By uniting two disciplines
that are deeply interconnected in both theory and practice, we are creating new opportunities
for collaboration, innovation in teaching and research, and thoughtful resource optimization.
I can’t think of a better leader to guide this transition than Dr. Cockrell.”
An accomplished academic and former SAP consultant, Dr. Cockrell has led curriculum
innovation efforts, launched signature networking initiatives such as the annual Marketing
Mixer, and strengthened industry engagement through advisory boards and mentorship
opportunities. Under his leadership, the Marketing Department modernized its academic
offerings while reinforcing a strong culture of student success and professional readiness.
The merger comes at a time of broader transformation across higher education, as institutions
seek more integrated and sustainable academic models. Faculty from both departments
expressed strong support for the unification and for Dr. Cockrell’s appointment.
The new department structure is expected to deliver several key benefits:
Interdisciplinary Synergies: Marketing and economics jointly address foundational
questions related to markets, consumer behavior, pricing, and policy. Areas such as
behavioral economics and consumer research are well positioned for deeper integration.
Recent co-authored publications by faculty from both disciplines highlight an established
history of successful collaboration.
Operational Efficiency: The merger streamlines leadership and administrative structures,
supporting a more sustainable approach to faculty governance and resource allocation—particularly
important in today’s evolving higher education environment.
Enhanced Academic Experience: Students will benefit from expanded mentorship networks,
cross-listed courses, and interdisciplinary advising that better reflects the complexity
of real-world business challenges.
The Barton School’s Behavioral Economics Laboratory will also serve as a catalyst
for continued integration, supporting faculty collaboration across marketing analytics,
consumer insights, and decision-making sciences.
“I am honored to lead this newly formed department and to build on the strengths of
both marketing and economics,” said Dr. Cockrell. “Our faculty are already collaborating
in meaningful ways, and this merger will allow us to further elevate our teaching,
expand our research impact, and better prepare students for success—while aligning
closely with the Barton School’s mission of innovation and applied learning.”
