Student Centered, Innovation Driven: A Guide to Transforming Higher Education

by Richard D. Muma

Overview

The president of Wichita State University shows how you can take your university from good to great.

In Student Centered, Innovation Driven, Wichita State University President Rick Muma shares the unvarnished, hard-fought transformation of a mid-sized public research university into a national model for applied learning, research, and industry collaboration.

Higher education is at a crossroads. Shrinking enrollments, increasing demands for workforce alignment, and the ever-changing expectations of students and communities require bold leadership and innovative solutions.

Drawing from his own experiences, President Muma guides fellow university leaders through an exploration of embracing change, viewing existing assets through a fresh lens, and building student-first institutions that thrive in today’s evolving educational landscape. This book serves as both a reflection on Wichita State’s transformation and a thought-provoking workbook, inviting readers to assess their own institutions and chart a path forward.

Whether you’re a university president, provost, or administrator seeking inspiration and practical guidance, Student Centered, Innovation Driven offers a compelling case study on how innovation, access, and affordability can drive meaningful institutional success—even when the path forward is anything but easy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780700640669
Publisher:	University Press of Kansas
Publication date:	08/26/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	216
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

WSU President Richard Muma has been a member of the Wichita State community for twenty-nine years—working as a faculty member, administrator, and provost before being named as the university’s fifteenth president in 2021. He earned a bachelor of science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch–Galveston, a master of public health in Community Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center–Houston, and a PhD in higher education administration from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

1. Who Is Wichita State University?

2. A Bold Vision, a Shared Vision

3. Lean Into Possibility

4. Manifest the Vision

5. Embrace Your Identity

6. Who Do You Serve?

7. Beyond Being an Employer, Driving Prosperity

8. What’s In It for Everyone?

9. Everything Comes Down to Priorities

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

Notes

References

Index

Editorial Reviews

Wichita State President Rick Muma provides us with a blueprint for how to transform universities into engines that ignite regional economies. Readers get a front-row seat to the courageous leadership decisions at Wichita State University that resulted in the development of its world class Innovation Campus. The WSU case study is more than a great story—it provides a framework for breakthrough innovation that will inspire and guide future leadership teams. If I could read one book to prepare for university leadership, it would be this one.”—Michelle Marks, Chancellor Emerita, University of Colorado Denver

“An inspiring and compelling account of Wichita State’s transformation to meet the needs of its students and community. What has happened at Wichita State is extraordinary and the lessons learned in this book are a model for other universities to follow. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in creating the university of the future.”—Mark Becker, President, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and President Emeritus, Georgia State University

“Student Centered, Innovation Driven is a must-read example of how higher education can serve as a catalyst for economic growth through collaboration, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, applied learning, and industry partnerships.”—Jeff Fluhr, Jeff Fluhr, President of Greater Wichita Partnership

“This book should be required reading for higher education leaders committed to transformative impact. Through candid storytelling and strategic insight, it powerfully illustrates how vision, innovation, and community engagement can converge to not only reimagine the student experience but also drive regional prosperity. It’s an inspiring and practical guide for any leader determined to make education more equitable, relevant, and future-focused.”—Sally Amoruso, Chief Partner Officer for EAB

“Wichita State’s success in attracting global industry partners like Airbus proves how visionary leadership and community collaboration can change the trajectory of a university, a city, and an entire region. Airbus, which represented hundreds of jobs in Wichita, had been considering leaving the area until the innovation campus was developed.”—John O’Leary, Vice President Engineering, AA1 Airbus Americas at Wichita State University

“Dr. Richard Muma has written a compelling call to action by telling the remarkable story of Wichita State University. By examining the impact of leadership decisions made over time, and drawing from examples of strategies and programs put in place during his tenure as WSU’s current president, Dr. Muma illuminates the inner workings of a public university, advocates the urgent need for relevancy, and makes the case for what is and should be the value of higher education in the 21st century. Student Centered, Innovation Driven is an important read for university leaders, community leaders, business leaders, and economic-development practitioners.”—Julia M. Potter, Past President, University Economic Development Association

From the Publisher