One thing the candidates for the vice president of academic affairs agree on is that Wichita State has a lot of untapped potential.

“So much will be happening in the next fives years,” candidate Anthony Vizzini said. “In that time you will do great things. To be part of that process and to be able to help in that process is exciting.”

Vizzini made his pitch in an open forum on Thursday, while John Koropchak visited campus on Wednesday.

Vizzini and Koropchak join Dennis Depew, who visited on Tuesday, as the three finalist for the open VPAA position at WSU.

“The location is an asset. You’re in not only an urban area, but an urban area with a growing population,” Koropchak said. “That’s an opportunity where you could significantly grow the enrollment of the institution, for one thing, as well as capitalize on many of the other assets you have in this area.”

Koropchack has been the vice chancellor for research and graduate dean at Southern Illinois University since 2002. He is also a professor in chemistry and biochemistry.

“One of the things that really piqued my interest in this position was the advertisement for the position,” Koropchak said. “As it appeared, that document focused on a number of things: student issues, of course, academic affairs—the heart of any academic affairs program relates to students and particularly in that case it talked about promoting high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs.”

Vizzini has been dean and professor of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Michigan University since 2009. Before that he was the department head, professor and inaugural holder of the Bill and Carolyn Cobb Chair, aerospace engineering, at Mississippi State University.

The three candidates are trying to fill the spot of interim provost Keith Pickus. The position came open under former WSU President Don Beggs, but the university wanted to wait and make a decision until a new president had been selected following Beggs’ retirement over the summer.

Current WSU President John Bardo now has the task of finding a new VPAA.

The candidates discusses similar topics during their open forums, ranging from the fine arts to what they hope to accomplish as VPAA at WSU.

Throughout my career I’ve been looking for challenges and opportunities, of doing more and impacting more people, having fun in the process looking for great opportunities,” Vizzini said. “And that is what has brought me here to Wichita State.”

It is unknown when the final selection for VPAA will be made, but it is expected to take place fairly soon.