Allison Campbell

Brandon McClain speaks in a Student Government Association meeting on December 6 (File photo).

After serving over a year and a half at Wichita State, Brandon McClain is departing for a new position in his hometown.

“There’s never a good time to leave,” McClain, the assistant director of Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership, said. “It’s always a bittersweet moment.”

McClain, who also advises the Student Government Association (SGA) at WSU, is moving back to his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. There, McClain said he will continue to pursue his passions of community service and leadership development in the Office of Student Involvement at his alma mater, University of Louisville. 

“I knew it was a decision that I just couldn’t pass up,” McClain said. “Same as the reason I came to Wichita State in the first place: it was a good opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”

In his new position, McClain will also advise a student government. Additionally, he said he plans to broaden the opportunities for students through creating more leadership programs as the assistant director of leadership development programs at the University of Louisville.

“I did some great things while I was at Wichita State, and I expect a lot of those things to continue while I’m gone, but I’m really excited for that next stage,” McClain said. 

Gabriel Fonseca, the head SGA adviser, commented on McClain’s contributions to SGA.

“He made lots of effort to engage with Senators who didn’t serve in leadership roles … and was instrumental in advancing the Shocker Support Locker programs and systems,” Fonseca said. “He is passionate about working with students and over our time together he made me a better director and a better adviser. I know he will continue to do great work in his next role and will help advance their mission as he did here at Wichita State.”

In McClain’s absence, Fonseca will continue to advise the Senate and the Speaker and Committee Chairs. McClain’s other responsibilities will be temporarily delegated to other members of the SGA staff until it is the right time to look for a replacement.