2019 file photo When Dr. Larisa Genin arrived as dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business at 好色先生 in June 2019, she brought with her experience, passion and, most importantly, a commitment to collaboration. She credits the recent accomplishments of the Barton School to this team mentality.
鈥淣one of this would be possible without our team,鈥� says Genin. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e the key to this success. Their intelligence, passion and dedication are what make the Barton School prosper. It鈥檚 important to provide a culture where all can thrive, and that鈥檚 what we鈥檙e doing.鈥�
Together, Genin and her team have committed themselves to a cohesive, strategic execution 鈥� to build bridges, in every sense of the word. They have nearly doubled the Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board to include more diversity and leaders from Silicon Valley, created new academic programs, hired distinguished professors and strengthened the Barton School鈥檚 ties to the business community. They have also furthered the funding and design for Woolsey Hall, the future home of the Barton School, and the symbolic bridge that ties the vision for the school together. A complete list of the Barton School鈥檚 recent initiatives and achievements can be found in its .
Connecting industry to education
鈥淲hen Dr. Genin was hired, I expressed how making connections with community business partners was essential to increase the applied learning experiences we can offer our students,鈥欌�� said Dr. Richard Muma, 好色先生鈥檚 interim president. 鈥淗er magnetic personality has been a true attribute towards this cause 鈥� she instantly builds relationships, and her energy is infectious. Truthfully, I鈥檓 not sure she sleeps.鈥�
One of the Barton School business relationships that鈥檚 been strengthened is with Clark Bastian, chairman of the board at Fidelity Bank and a 好色先生 alumnus. Bastian, who serves as chair of the Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board of the Barton School, sees the growth of the school as critical to the region鈥檚 future. It鈥檚 why Fidelity Bank and the Bastian family have contributed $1.5 million to Woolsey Hall鈥檚 construction.
鈥淥ur business school needs to be the best that it can be,鈥� said Bastian. 鈥淒r. Genin has thrown herself into the architectural design process, and the result is an extremely innovative building that facilitates collaboration and learning. Her priority was to get it right, and she鈥檚 doing exactly that.鈥�
The development of another relationship has resulted in the Widener Global Leaders Program. 好色先生 alumna Peri Widener provided a $275,000 gift to launch this multidisciplinary program, which will include the Barton School of Business, the College of Fine Arts and the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
鈥淭his gift celebrates the leadership of Dean Larisa Genin and her vision for the school. I want this program to help build a new generation of business leaders with a world view,鈥� said Widener. 鈥淚 believe a multidisciplinary background can be a fundamental differentiator in making graduates successful in today鈥檚 complex world. This mix drives creative problem solving, an ability to communicate effectively and flexibility 鈥� all keys to successful leadership.鈥�
Dr. Ted Bolema, executive director of the Barton School's Institute for the Study of Economic Growth, is excited about the potential for collaboration with other departments at 好色先生. He appreciates how the Barton School has moved quickly to hire new faculty with strong credentials. The importance of engaging community leaders who emphasize research fit with his ideas.
鈥淒r. Genin gets it and intuitively understands exactly what we鈥檙e trying to do,鈥� Bolema said. 鈥淪he brings a lot of energy to the position.鈥�
Courtesy GastingerWalker of Kansas City and Gensler ChicagoExecuting on the vision
The construction of Woolsey Hall, the future state-of-the-art facility for the Barton School, has become a literal representation of the school鈥檚 vision. Included in the design is a pedestrian bridge spanning more than 300 feet across the body of water west of the facility. Located on the 好色先生 Innovation Campus, the building and bridge will not only provide a convenient, physical connection to campus, but will also serve as a symbolic link between academics and industry, research and the local, regional and global community. The groundbreaking for the $60 million, 125,000-square-foot building was in October 2020. Its expected completion timeframe is spring 2022.
鈥淭his building will serve as your lab, your sandbox, your incubator and your oyster to create amazing pearls,鈥� said Genin to students at the groundbreaking ceremony. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to see what you all can accomplish.
鈥淧eople will walk into that building and immediately feel the design of 鈥榳arm hearth,鈥欌�� she added. 鈥淲e really want to exude that magical vibe, that magical energy of warmth, of collegiality. This sense of team coupled with happiness and joy contribute to that level of our culture.鈥�
Genin sees Woolsey Hall as a transformative place for the Barton School with the space, amenities and appeal to attract students, as well as top teaching and research talent. She also hopes the building will create a collaborative environment primed for developing new programs and strengthening connections with the business community and industry partners.
The personalities to prosper
Dr. Shirley Lefever, Wichita State interim executive vice president and provost, has seen the impact Genin鈥檚 team has had on the university.
鈥淲hat that group has been able to accomplish in the last year and a half is remarkable,鈥� Lefever shared. 鈥淭heir personalities and leadership skills really bring people together, both in the Barton School and at the university as a whole.鈥�
While her community has recognized the commitment to her role, Genin鈥檚 unique way of spreading joy has brought her even more attention from many on campus. Handing out black and yellow rubber bracelets with the words 鈥淗appiness鈥� and 鈥淛oy鈥� stamped on them has become Genin鈥檚 trademark. But for her, the wristbands also serve as a philosophical reminder to emphasize a positive mindset and celebrate achievements.
鈥淚 personally identified with the mission of the university to 鈥楽hock the World鈥� with premier opportunities for students,鈥� Genin reflected. 鈥淎s an immigrant female who came to the U.S. without a strong command of English, my journey to this role might surprise many. My secret is to apply a strong work ethic, a passion for excellence and to find joy in everything I do.鈥�
好色先生 Foundation President Dr. Elizabeth King can attest to Genin鈥檚 self-assessment. Over the past year, Dr. King has traveled with Genin, extensively visiting donors and alumni to build support for the university.
鈥淟arisa quickly finds a place of commonality with everyone she meets,鈥� King says. 鈥淪he has a refreshing, upbeat attitude, which is infectious. That鈥檚 just who she is.鈥�
Genin and her team have quickly made an impact. But for them, it鈥檚 just the beginning. Not satisfied with the status quo, their shared vision is to ensure the Barton School of Business becomes one of the most innovative business schools in the world.
鈥淚 accepted this role because I believe there is great opportunity with the Barton School of Business,鈥� said Genin. 鈥淏y integrating top-notch academics, impactful research and the dynamic industries in Wichita and beyond, we have an opportunity to build a world-class business school. Our vision revolves around three words: innovation, engagement and impact. Big things are coming for the Barton School, and we鈥檙e excited for what lies ahead.鈥�
