As we continue celebrating the College of Education’s centennial year, I am grateful for the many students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners who have contributed to our College’s success over the past 100 years. This milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on our history while looking ahead to the ways we will continue making a difference in schools, organizations, and communities across Kansas and beyond.

This fall, our 2026 Hall of Fame celebration recognized outstanding individuals whose professional accomplishments and service reflect the lasting impact of a Wichita State education. We are also proud of the achievements of our faculty and staff, whose dedication to teaching, scholarship, and service continues to strengthen our College and the communities we serve.

We remain focused on creating new opportunities for students and responding to the needs of our communities. The development of our new Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program is one example of how we are expanding educational pathways to prepare professionals in high-demand fields. With funding from the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy, our Collaborative Literacy Education, Advancement, and Research (CLEAR) initiative is strengthening literacy education by expanding professional learning opportunities and supporting educators in delivering effective literacy instruction.

As we look toward the next century, our work remains focused on supporting Wichita State University's mission by expanding access to affordable, high-quality education, preparing graduates to meet Kansas workforce needs, and strengthening the communities we serve.

This academic year, we have identified collaboration as a shared value, recognizing that our greatest accomplishments come through the collective efforts of our students, faculty, staff, and partners. By working together, we can build on our strengths, respond to emerging challenges, and create meaningful opportunities for those we serve.

Thank you for your continued engagement with the College of Education. I appreciate the many ways you contribute to our mission and look forward to what we will accomplish together as we build on our first century of excellence.

Jennifer Friend, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Education
Wichita State University