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.
Wichita State University’s Spero program housed and led by the Barton School of Business
is entering its third year after graduating 80 participants across its Career Readiness
and Entrepreneurship pathways. Early outcomes indicate that more than 75% of Career
Readiness graduates report being employed, while 3 out of 4 Entrepreneurship graduates
are operating ventures currently generating revenue.
Spero is the first micro-credential program in WSU’s history and the first 1EdTech
TrustEd Micro-credential program in the world. It connects training directly to employment
and venture creation through applied learning, employer engagement, and mentorship.
Participants complete complementary workforce- and market-oriented training designed
to help them secure employment, strengthen career mobility, or launch and grow businesses.
Since launching, Spero has expanded its network to 28 employer partners and more than
20 nonprofit, entrepreneurship, and community organizations that support participants
before, during, and after the program.
“As we enter Year 3, we are encouraged by the outcomes we are seeing from participants
and alumni,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of Wichita State University’s Barton School
of Business. “At its core, Spero is about creating hope for a better future. We are
seeing participants secure better employment, launch businesses, and create new possibilities
for themselves and their families.”
Applications for Spero Year 3 are now open, with interviews for selected applicants
scheduled for July 2026. The next cohort is expected to begin during the week of Aug.
17, 2026, with programming continuing through the week of Dec. 18, 2026.
Interested applicants can submit their applications for:
Questions regarding eligibility, program details, or the application process can be
directed to spero@wichita.edu.
“What stands out about Spero is that it connects training directly to real opportunities,”
said Walter Berry, chair of the Spero Advisory Board. “Participants are not only developing
skills. They are building relationships with employers, launching businesses, and
creating greater stability for themselves and their families.”
As Spero enters Year 3, program leaders plan to continue strengthening employer partnerships,
expanding applied learning opportunities, and building pathways into employment and
entrepreneurship across Wichita and the region.
