Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has been named a 2026 Innovation Awards honoree by the Wichita Business Journal for Spero, a micro-credential program designed to expand economic mobility through education-to-employment pathways.

Spero, Latin for hope, is the world’s first TrustEd® micro-credential program. It was created to address a dual challenge facing the region: capable, motivated individuals often lack affordable, flexible pathways into stable employment or entrepreneurship, while employers struggle to find candidates prepared to contribute from day one.

“Spero reflects our belief that higher education must meet people where they are and deliver real, measurable outcomes,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School of Business and Executive Director of Spero. “This recognition affirms that, when universities, employers, and community partners work together with intention, we can create pathways that lead directly to opportunity, stability, and long-term impact.”

Spero is a one-semester, complimentary program with two tracks aligned to regional workforce and economic needs.

The Career Readiness track builds practical skills in communication, professionalism, problem-solving, and foundational digital and data literacy. Employer partners help shape the curriculum to reflect real hiring expectations and workplace demands.

The Entrepreneurship track focuses on venture intelligence, helping founders rigorously assess feasibility, market demand, and competitive positioning. Participants test ideas, evaluate risk, and build ventures designed for sustainable growth rather than trial-and-error survival.

By eliminating tuition barriers and compressing learning into one semester, Spero allows participants to build skills and social capital without leaving work or compromising family responsibilities.

“At Koch, we believe strong communities are built when individuals have access to opportunity, skills, and pathways to meaningful work,” said Cara Chennault-Reid, Vice President of Human Resources at Koch, Inc. and Spero Advisory Board member. “Spero is creating real, measurable impact by equipping participants with the professional competencies, confidence, and employer connections needed to secure high-quality jobs and thrive in today’s workforce. It is exactly the kind of talent development model employers want to invest in as it is good for the individual, the employers, and the community.”

Jeff Jamison, Wichita Market President at IMA, added, “Spero stands out because it prepares individuals not just to land a job, but to succeed and grow once they’re there. The program’s emphasis on real-world skills, accountability, and career readiness aligns directly with what today’s employers need.”

Spero was launched through close collaboration between university leadership, employers, and community partners.

“Spero was built on the idea that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” said Steve Feilmeier, visionary of Spero and board member. “From the beginning, our goal was to design a program that employers would trust and participants could use immediately. Seeing Spero recognized by the Wichita Business Journal confirms that this model works.”

In its first year, Spero received 112 applications and enrolled 45 participants. Seventy-five percent of Career Readiness graduates secured employment, with starting compensation averaging approximately $40,000 plus benefits. Entrepreneurship participants advanced or launched ventures supported by mentoring, market analysis tools, and early-stage growth guidance.

“Innovation isn’t just about new ideas—it’s about models that actually work and can scale,” said Walter Berry, Chair of the Spero Advisory Board. “Spero stands out because it is disciplined, outcomes-focused, and deeply aligned with the needs of both employers and participants. The results we’re seeing make a compelling case for continued investment and expansion.”

Applications increased nearly 40 percent to over 150 in Year 2. Today, Spero works with 28 employer partners and more than 20 community organizations that help recruit participants, mentor students, and connect graduates to real opportunities.

The Wichita Business Journal Innovation Award recognizes Spero’s practical, scalable approach to linking education directly to jobs, stability, and viable ventures. As the program prepares for Year 3, the Barton School sees Spero as a model for how higher education, employers, and philanthropy can work together to strengthen the regional economy.