Rick Muma - Kansas Shocker

Ask A Kansan
Apr 6
1 min read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zExuueHWS_Y

Rick Muma serves as president of Wichita State University, bringing more than three decades of experience at the university into his leadership role. A Wichita native with deep Kansas roots, Muma’s family history in the region dates back to early homesteaders near Maize. Although he spent part of his childhood in Houston, he maintained a strong connection to Wichita through family and frequent visits—eventually returning to build a career that has spanned faculty, department leadership, provost, and now president.

Muma’s professional background is uniquely grounded in healthcare. Trained as a physician assistant during the early years of the HIV epidemic, he developed expertise in infectious disease and public health before transitioning into higher education. That clinical experience continues to shape his leadership style today, emphasizing presence, adaptability, and people-centered decision-making. Notably, Muma is the only university president in the country with a physician assistant background—a perspective that informs how he approaches both student success and institutional challenges.

As president, Muma has helped lead Wichita State through a period of significant transformation, highlighted by the growth of its Innovation Campus and a strong emphasis on applied learning. Under his leadership, the university has expanded partnerships with industry, creating opportunities for students to gain real-world experience while still in school. His vision for the future centers on workforce development, expanding access to higher education, and positioning Kansas as a place where students not only learn but choose to build their careers.