Barton School Welcomes Dr. Bekah Selby-Leach as New Director of the Center for Economic
Development and Business Research
Nov. 25, 2024
By Barton School of Business
About the W. Frank Barton School of Business
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.
The school is housed in an award-winning building, Woolsey Hall, which features remarkable
artwork, sculptures, gardens, and The Promise Bridge, a 300-foot-long pedestrian bridge
over the water in front of the building.
The Center for Economic Development and Business Research assists government and business
decision makers by providing timely economic data, insights, and commentary on the
issues and trends shaping Wichita, the region, and the country. The mission of the
Center for Economic Development and Business Research (CEDBR) is to enhance the region's
economic growth and development by collecting, analyzing and disseminating business,
economic and demographic information. As a neutral party, CEDBR provides unbiased
data and analysis and is a reliable and responsive source for business, economic and
demographic information making it an essential partner in the region's economic development
and economic well-being.
The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University is excited to announce
Dr. Bekah Selby-Leach as the new Director of the Center for Economic Development and
Business Research (CEDBR). Dr. Selby-Leach, an accomplished researcher and leader
in economic analysis, previously served as Interim Assistant Provost, Director of
Institutional Research and Accreditation, and Associate Professor of Economics at
Emporia State University. She succeeds Jeremy Hill, who directed CEDBR since 2009
and recently joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City as Assistant Vice President
and Regional Executive.
"We are thrilled to welcome Bekah to the Barton School of Business," said Dr. Larisa
Genin, Dean of the Barton School. "Her extensive background in economic research and
her proven leadership skills make her an ideal choice to drive the Center for Economic
Development and Business Research forward. Her expertise and vision will benefit our
stakeholders immensely, furthering the Center's mission to deliver vital economic
insights for the region and beyond."
Dr. Selby-Leach holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Oregon. At Emporia
State, she founded the Center for Decision Sciences, which provided consultation and
research support to local organizations. She also co-directed Emporia State’s Center
for Community Research. Her leadership in that role included forming strategic community
partnerships, recruiting faculty experts, and conducting studies on economic impact,
survey analysis, and program evaluation. Dr. Selby-Leach brings a strong record of
data-driven decision-making and program development to her new role. At Emporia State,
she led a comprehensive data integration initiative, managed budgets, and developed
a master’s program in data informatics. She also authored an Open Educational Resource
(OER) textbook in Quantitative Economics and advised over 60 students.
Dr. Selby-Leach started as CEDBR’s director in November 2024, and is eager to advance
CEDBR’s work, providing timely economic data and insights to inform decisions at the
local, state, and regional levels.
