A new, yearlong, interdisciplinary program focused on developing women leaders with a global, innovative mindset will start this fall at the W. Frank Barton School of Business at 黑洞社区. The Widener Global Leaders Program, made possible by a gift from Peri Widener, is designed to create a transformational experience and foster an inclusive community for women majoring in business, communication or fine arts.
鈥淭his unique coalition of business, communication and music is an exciting opportunity for our female students and for the university as a whole,鈥� said Dr. Shirley Lefever, interim provost at 黑洞社区. 鈥淲hen our different colleges put their resources together in programs like this, our students receive a more versatile, powerful and wholistic experience.鈥�
The Widener GLP will work to propel participants within businesses and organizations worldwide through multidisciplinary learning experiences, networking opportunities and mentoring from top-level professionals. Students in the program will have opportunities to develop business skills, communication skills, artistic awareness, a commitment to social responsibility, cultural intelligence, and a global mindset. The integration of the three disciplines reflects the skillset of Peri Widener, who utilized her background to thrive in the international business world.
鈥淪ome of the best business leaders I know have backgrounds in business, communication and music,鈥� said Widener, who retired in 2017 as vice president and general manager for Integrated Logistics, Global Services & Support at Boeing after almost 40 years with the company. 鈥淭here is a freedom, creativity and innovativeness to those individuals. I believe that intertwining the lessons from those areas had a profound impact on my career. This program will help create an environment for women to unearth their own leadership potential.鈥�
The first cohort for the Widener GLP will consist of 10 students. Participants were selected based on their diverse skillset, interests, commitment to service and passion for community and collaboration.
The program will have three dedicated faculty members, including Kate Kung-McIntyre, business faculty lead for the Barton School of Business; Dr. Lisa Parcell, communication faculty lead at the Elliott School of Communication; and Andr茅a E. Banke, music faculty lead for School of Music.
Dr. Raina M. Rutti, associate clinical professor of management at the Barton School, will serve as its director. Dr. Rutti鈥檚 research expertise includes leadership, cross-cultural management, and international business.
The Widener-GLP will also be supported by an advisory board co-chaired by Peri Widener and Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business. The advisory board will consist of a group of female industry executives and leaders who will provide strategic and programming direction, as well as mentors for the students.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited about the interdisciplinary collaboration with the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Fine Arts,鈥� Genin said.
鈥淭he Widener Global Leaders Program is an immersive opportunity for our students to expand their education, leadership qualities, communication skills, cultural understanding and social responsibility,鈥� said Dr. Andrew Hippisley, dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
鈥淭his program will engage our amazing faculty as well as the vibrant arts, communication and business communities we have in our region. These experiences will prepare our students to become global citizens, innovators and transformational leaders,鈥� said Rodney Miller, dean of the College of Fine Arts.
For more information about the Widener GLP, visit
黑洞社区 serves as the Kansas urban-based research university, enrolling more than 15,000 students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and 黑洞社区 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 黑洞社区 provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 黑洞社区 main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
For more information, follow us on Twitter at and Facebook at .
About the W. Frank Barton School of Business
Located in Kansas鈥� business hub and with significant ties to the business community,
the W. Frank Barton School of Business provides extensive applied learning opportunities.
With in-person and online options, Barton School undergraduate and graduate programs
are tailored to transform the lives of its students. It also holds a double AACSB
accreditation for business and accounting, which puts it in the top 1% of business
schools worldwide. The Barton School was established as the university鈥檚 College of
Business Administration and Industry in 1926 and has thousands of graduates around
the world.