Founded in 1926, the College of Education celebrated a century of serving Wichita State students and local communities with an open house at the Corbin Education Center on April 11. 

The college invited alumni, faculty and other members of the community to celebrate with an open house, tours of the Corbin Education Center and remarks about the college’s importance to the university and Wichita community.

The College of Education — formerly the College of Applied Studies — has grown significantly from two faculty members and fewer than 30 students at its origin to over 2,000 students today. Its name was changed back to the College of Education earlier in the spring semester because it better “reflects both our history and our future,” said College of Education Dean Jennifer Friend.

“For me, it’s a celebration of our past, our history and our legacy,” Friend said. “But, it’s also an opportunity to look to the future and the opportunities that we have to continue to serve our students and our community.”

Friend said that the mission of the College of Education is still in line with the founders’ vision: being an accessible, practical and connected part of the Wichita community. 

“I’m from a long line of educators,” WSU Provost Monica Lounsbery said. “… what we really thought about in our family is how pivotally important education is — public education, specifically — and so I want to tell you from the bottom of my heart… (we) know how important the work is of our College of Education.”

Along with educating future teachers, the college offers programs for counseling, educational leadership, school psychology, sports management, exercise science and athletic training. 

“Today, the College of Education has over 350 affiliation agreements with schools and organizations to provide applied learning placements for our students,” Friend said. “Including our longstanding partnership with Wichita Public Schools that was nationally recognized.” 

Hailey Aranda-Mayorga, a senior elementary education major, spoke about her experience with the college during the open house. 

“I put my trust in the College of Education, and I’m so thankful that I did because the elementary education program has been such a wonderful experience for me and such an awesome journey to be a part of,” Aranda-Mayorga said. 

Aranda-Mayorga said her experience working in Wichita Public Schools went very well because the College of Education makes “you feel so prepared and they teach you exactly what the kids need.” 

“The College of Education is tackling one of the most urgent challenges facing our state, and I will say country, and that is educator workforce shortages,” Lounsbery said.

The Corbin Education Center stands as one of the “most visible symbols of the college,” according to Friend, built in 1964 and designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. 

“It represented something bold,” Friend said. “The idea that educator preparation should happen in a place designed for innovation, collaboration and experimentation. And that vision really feels relevant today.”

The college also partners with the Credit Union of America, and the union’s Senior Business Development Officer, Bradley Dyer Jr., said a few words at the open house, thanking former Provost and Dean of the College of Education, Shirley Lefever, who initiated the partnership.

“Through a vision she had, and you heard Dr. Lounsbery mention this, and what was then a very innovative program known as the Teacher Apprentice Program or TAP,” Dyer said. “And it is an honor for CUA to continue supporting that program today.”

Dyer said that the same types of innovation are seen under Friend’s leadership as well; the college is working with the Credit Union of America to remove barriers such as fees for practice licensure for College of Education students. 

“This centennial feels especially meaningful this year because we are returning to our name, College of Education,” Friend said. “… What I found most inspiring about reaching 100 years is not simply the length of time, it is that continuity of purpose.”