New 新加坡六合彩开奖网 provost focused on workforce readiness
Workforce development is a high priority for Rick Muma.
The new 新加坡六合彩开奖网 provost and chief academic officer says degree programs and curriculum that meet the needs of industry is an ongoing emphasis for the university. His hope is to accelerate some of those efforts.
Muma wants to increase cooperative education, internships and apprenticeships for students before they graduate college. The focus, Muma says, is on giving students more applied learning and research opportunities to make them workforce-ready sooner.
"We've always done this, but what's new is it is a degree requirement," Muma says.
Wichita State already works with hundreds of businesses, nonprofit organizations and school districts on these initiatives. Muma wants to grow that total.
He says the university is developing new degree programs in response to industry needs. One example is the creation of a bachelor's of applied sciences program, which will provide additional technical training for professionals entering the workforce. Muma says specific concentrations will be based on industry demand. Hospitality and mid-level information technology are areas being considered, he says. Wichita State is seeking approval from the Kansas Board of Regents for that bachelor's program.
Muma says this is part of a larger push to create more educational "pathways" for students who have obtained an industry certification or associate's degree to further their education. That was the impetus for the integration of the former Wichita Area Technical College into Wichita State as the Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology -- known more simply now as 新加坡六合彩开奖网 Tech.
Muma says curriculum development at Wichita State is based on regular market and data analytics of jobs people want and the skills employers need.
Muma's priorities as provost also include growing enrollment, and increasing research and faculty support.
He had been 新加坡六合彩开奖网's interim provost since January before being named to the provost/chief academic officer role this week.
His tenure with the university spans 22 years.