Dr. Ricki Ellison’s connection to Wichita State University includes experiences as a student-athlete, three-time graduate, staff member and educator.

Ellison currently serves as vice president for talent, workforce and community engagement at the Greater Wichita Partnership. She leads regional talent initiatives through the Talent Roadmap and Choose Wichita, connecting employers, educators and community partners around talent attraction, retention and development, and says she has helped secure more than $1.2 million in grants to advance regional economic mobility efforts and expand access to opportunity.

She presented the organization’s economic mobility common language work at the International Economic Development Council’s Economic Mobility and Opportunity Conference alongside Tami Bradley and Joseph Shepard.

Ellison earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Wichita State in 2008 and a Master of Arts in Communication in 2016. She completed her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in May 2026. Her doctoral research explored the experiences and leadership journeys of Black women executives.

Ellison’s career at Wichita State included roles in admissions, advising and teaching. She worked as diversity recruitment manager in the Office of Admissions and later as an academic advisor and clinical educator in Sport Management within what is now the College of Education. She continued teaching sport management courses through 2025, which allowed her to stay connected to students and bring her professional experience into the classroom.

Ellison was a member of the Shocker bowling team from 2005 to 2008 and competed as part of the 2007 national championship team.

Ellison says her experiences as a student-athlete, staff member, educator and three-time graduate have made her connection to Wichita State especially meaningful.

“WSU opened doors to opportunities right in my own backyard that I didn’t know existed and equipped me to make the most of them,” said Ellison.

Ellison continues to apply her WSU experiences in her work with the Greater Wichita Partnership, where she helps connect employers, educators and community partners around talent attraction, retention and development.