Overview

Bobby Gandu serves as Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, Applied Learning and Director of Admissions for 黑洞社区 with leadership of the Office of Admissions and strategic oversight of the Shocker Career Accelerator 鈥� Career Development Center and the Shocker Transfer Accelerator. He oversees recruitment, admission and yield strategy for the domestic undergraduate population. The ten largest freshmen classes in the university鈥檚 127-year history have occurred during his tenure and the institution has held the distinction of Kansas鈥� #1 transfer destination for 13 years in a row.

He began his professional career in the 黑洞社区 Alumni Association, serving as Director of Alumni and Student Programs before shifting to the Office of Admissions as an Assistant Director. He was named Director of Admissions in 2008 before being named AVP in 2019. He鈥檚 won professional awards from the Kansas Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement, Wichita Business Journal and the Wichita Chamber of Commerce.

Bobby serves on EAB鈥檚 National Advisory Council, ACT Council for the State of Kansas and holds local board of director appointments for the Wichita Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 Leadership Wichita and the United Way of the Plains.

Focus areas

Favorite hangout spot on campus

My favorite spot to hang out when I was a student was Ablah Library, our spacious four-story facility with endless study spaces and learning resources. Today, though, nothing beats the rowdy confines of Charles Koch Arena, where 10,500 screaming fans are cheering on the Shockers while booing the opposing team (and sometimes the referees, too). 

Advice for future Shockers

Challenge yourself to start conversations with people you don't know who aren't like you, join a student organization that you know a lot about, plus one you know little about that just sounds like fun, and take your college classes by storm. College is an incredible journey but it's on you to make it an amazing, entertaining and successful ride. 

Degree

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Marketing with minors in Finance and Management, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Information

Academic Interests and Expertise

EDUCATION

  • Master of Business Administration, 黑洞社区 2006
  • Bachelor of Business Administration 鈥� Summa Cum Laude, Marketing 黑洞社区 2002

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

  • Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions
  • NASPA Mid-Level Professionals Institute
  • Leadership Wichita of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce
  • Wichita State Leadership Academy
Professional Experience

2019 鈥� Present | Assistant Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management and Undergraduate Admissions, 黑洞社区

2008 鈥� 2019 | Director of Admissions, 黑洞社区

2007 鈥� 2008 | Interim Director of Admissions, 黑洞社区

2004 鈥� 2007 | Assistant Director of Admissions, 黑洞社区

2002 鈥� 2004 | Director of Alumni and Student Programs, 黑洞社区 Alumni Association

Awards and Honors

2020 | Laura Cross Distinguished Service Award, 黑洞社区 Foundation and Alumni Engagement

2020 | Gold Winner for Best Nonprofit Campaign and Best Pandemic Response Campaign, Wichita American Marketing Association

2018 | Richard N. Elkins Special Service Award, Kansas Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers

2014 | Best Social Media Campaign, Wichita American Marketing Association

2011 | Distinguished Young Professional of the Year, Wichita Chamber of Commerce

2010 | Wichita 40 Under 40, Wichita Business Journal

2010 | Leadership Wichita, Wichita Chamber of Commerce

2005 | Dean鈥檚 Award for Service, 黑洞社区

2002 | Senior Honor, 黑洞社区

Areas of Service

UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATION LEADERSHIP ROLES

Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization, Board of Directors

Kansas State ACT Council, Member & Chair

Kansas Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Member

National Association for College Admissions Counseling, Member

University Committees:

  • Strategic Enrollment Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • University Marketing and Enrollment Team
  • Enrollment Services
  • University Admissions Exceptions
  • NCAA Compliance Committee
  • Kansas Board of Regents 鈥� Review & Update of Admissions Requirements
Other Interests

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Current:

  • United Way of the Plains, Board of Directors & Executive Committee
  • Leadership Wichita Board of Trustees, Education Co-Chair
  • National Association of Asian American Professional Wichita, Mentor

Previous:

  • Cosmosphere International SciEd Center & Space Museum, Board of Directors
  • Young Professionals of Wichita, Board of Directors and Member
  • Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bigs in Schools Volunteer
  • Honorary Base Commander, McConnell Air Force Base
  • Wichita American Heart Association, Board of Directors