Barton School of Business

Ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?

The Executive MBA at Wichita State University is designed for ambitious professionals who want to accelerate their careers, expand their network, and develop the strategic skills needed to lead with confidence.

⏳ Applications are closing soon, and spots in the upcoming cohort are limited.

Don't miss your opportunity to join a dynamic community of executives and emerging leaders.
📧 Email [email protected] today to learn more and start your enrollment process.

We are so proud to celebrate Denise Sherman, Director of the Center for Management Development and Executive Education at WSU's Barton School of Business, on being recognized as a 2026 Wichita Business Journal Women in Business Award honoree!

Denise's career has been defined by one unwavering mission: developing talent into dedicated leaders. From pharmaceutical sales to radio broadcasting, workforce development to her transformative work at The Kansas African American Museum, she has brought passion, strategy, and heart to every role she's taken on.

Now, as the leader of CMD, she's channeling all of that experience into empowering the Wichita business community — one professional at a time. As Denise herself has said, "Higher education is where my heart is." And it shows.
This recognition is so well deserved. Here's to a leader who lifts others as she rises! 👏

Read the full story here: https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/c/read-about-the-2026-women-in-business/44679/denise-sherman-wsu-center-for-management-development.html

Denise Sherman, WSU Center for Management Development Denise Sherman, WSU Center for Management Development

Counting down the days until we are back in Woolsey....🌾

A new $50,000 scholarship honoring longtime Wichita business leader and Wichita State alumnus Ross Tidemann will create life-changing opportunities for future business students at the Barton School of Business! 🖤💛

This remarkable gift is about more than financial support. It’s about opening doors, creating opportunities, and continuing a legacy that will impact students for generations to come. Established by Karma Tidemann in memory of her late husband, the Ross Tidemann Scholarship will support incoming Wichita State University students with demonstrated financial need while recognizing academic achievement and leadership potential.

🔗 Read the full story at https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/barton_news/06-04-26-Tidemann-scholarship.php

What happens when applied learning meets real opportunity? 🚀 Now entering Year 3, Wichita State University’s groundbreaking micro-credential program Spero is continuing its momentum with applications officially OPEN for the next cohort. 🙌

At Spero, participants aren’t just earning credentials. They’re launching businesses, building careers, and creating new possibilities for their futures.

From Career Readiness to Entrepreneurship, Spero connects participants directly with employers, mentors, and hands-on experiences designed to lead to real outcomes. And the results are already making an impact across Wichita and beyond.

Curious what makes Spero different? 👀 🔗 Read the full story and apply today:
https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/barton_news/05-28-26-spero-year-three.php

🌟 Spero continues to grow its impact.

The Barton School of Business has received a $500,000 commitment from Vicki Decarsky via the Derby Community Foundation to support the continued expansion of Spero’s workforce and entrepreneurship programming.

This investment will help create more pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic mobility across our community.

📖 Read the full story to learn more about Spero’s growing impact.
https://www.wichita.edu/about/wsunews/barton_news/05-22-26-spero-receives-500000.php

Spero Receives $500,000 Commitment to Support Continued Impact The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has received a $500,000 commitment from Vicki Decarsky via Derby Community Foundation in support of Spero, a workforce and entrepreneurship initiative designed to expand opportunity across Wichita.