The W. Frank 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 building, Woolsey Hall, features artwork, sculptures,
gardens, and The Promise Bridge – a 300-foot-long pedestrian bridge over the water
in front of the building.
The award-winning Widener Global Leaders Program (WGLP) is proud to announce an exciting
expansion as it enters its fifth year—welcoming Wichita State University students
majoring in business, communication, music, or fine arts. This strategic growth reflects
our continued commitment to developing the next generation of global leaders.
This milestone follows the recent graduation of WGLP’s 2024–2025 cohort, celebrated
in a special ceremony this past May. Program highlights included immersive sessions
on strengths discovery, strategic communication, business acumen, global mindset,
financial literacy, the intersection of music and leadership, along with a private
jet experience at Textron Aviation and a wide range of impactful networking opportunities.
“One of my favorite modules was our time with Curt Coffman. We discussed our personal
talent assessments with Curt and it really helped me focus on and understand my strengths
and how to leverage them to propel my career said Giselle Graciano, a WGLP participant
who has since graduated with a bachelor of business administration in Human Resource
Management and Management. “WGLP was an amazing experience. It made me a better leader
and opened my eyes to what’s possible for my future.”
Led by the W. Frank Barton School of Business in collaboration with the Fairmont College
of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Fine Arts, WGLP offers a transformational,
multidisciplinary educational experience that prepares students to thrive after graduation
through a high-impact program that fosters leadership excellence, industry engagement,
cultural fluency, and global business knowledge.
Throughout the yearlong program, participants cultivate essential business acumen,
communication skills, artistic awareness, cultural intelligence, and a global mindset.
They gain invaluable exposure to business executives, industry leaders, faculty, and
WGLP alumni, while also benefiting from exclusive events and immersive visits to industry-leading
companies.
“The future growth of WGLP is thanks in large part to the success of our past cohorts
and the unwavering dedication of our faculty, staff, advisory board, and over 40 alumni,”
said Dr. Larisa Genin, Dean of the Barton School and Executive Program Director of
WGLP. “Alongside our expansion, we are excited to introduce new, innovative experiences
that make WGLP a truly one-of-a-kind global leadership program.”
WGLP’s unique blend of business, communication, and the arts reflects the career journey
of its founder, Peri Widener. A Wichita State alumna with a bachelor’s degree in journalism
and a minor in business, Widener went on to a nearly 40-year career at Boeing, where
she rose through the ranks in communications, business development, site leadership,
and ultimately served as vice president/general manager leading global P&L operations.
Established in 2020, the program received a major boost in June 2023 when Widener
contributed $300,000 to extend WGLP for an additional five years—joined by other generous
donors who also made contributions.
Applications for the 2025–2026 Widener Global Leaders Program (Cohort 5) are now open
and will be accepted through Monday, August 4, 2025.
