Wichita State is a growing force in research nationally. Much of that work takes place in our many centers and institutes, which conduct commercial research for business, industry, the government as well as academia. Here's a comprehensive listing of these vital entities.
For additions or corrections to this list, please complete the request form at the bottom of the page.
The 3DEXPERIENCE® Center, a partnership with Dassault Systemes, involves an interconnected community of top researchers, corporations and laboratories to accelerate innovation.The 22,000-square-foot facility at 49ͼ offers the expertise and technology for companies to accelerate their innovation. Aerospace and other industries can target improvements from concept to production and extend to operations - all while facilitating certification. The 3DEXPERIENCE Center enables companies to engage in advanced product development and the manufacturing of next-generation materials and technologies.
Learn MoreThe Academic Center for Biomedical and Health Humanities (HealthHum) reflects and promotes inclusive excellence in health and wellbeing through interdisciplinary academic scholarship, resources and education, and community engagement. HealthHum respects the evolving diversity of society and helps satisfy rapidly evolving community needs. We enhance the visibility of the wide range of scholarship and teaching in areas related to health and human flourishing beyond the traditional health professions to facilitate collaborative partnerships between university, industry and community.
Learn More(Part of the National Institute for Aviation Research)
ATLAS – the Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems – is a multi-disciplinary manufacturing environment and engineering education program to prepare engineers and educators for the Factory of the Future and to aid the current workforce in seamlessly adapting to advancements in the workplace.
Learn More(Part of the National Institute for Aviation Research)
The Aircraft Structural Test and Evaluation Center houses the National Institute for Aviation Research's Full-scale Structural Test Lab. This immense facility encompasses 130,000 square feet (39,000 square meters), has a clear span of 265 feet (80 meters) and ceiling height of 48 feet (14 meters). The lab assesses the structural performance and durability of aerospace and related structures by performing full-scale and component testing (static, durability and damage tolerance), pressure cyclic testing, hail strike testing and material testing.
Learn More(Part of the Community Engagement Institute)
The Center for Applied Research and Evaluation assists organizations and communities in developing clarity about the need for and effectiveness of their efforts or services. We work closely with organizations to ensure our research and evaluation is responsive to their needs, helping answer the questions that are most important to them.
The Applied Psychology Research Institute (APRI) is established to perform funded research associated with the 49ͼ Department of Psychology. The mission of the Research Institute is to advance the applied research and educational objectives of 49ͼ faculty by encouraging, promoting, and supporting research. It supports the pursuit and management of externally funded projects while also connecting researchers with potential sponsors from various funding agencies. The Research Institute also connects graduate students with researchers to provide them with an applied learning experience built to develop knowledge, skills, and values beyond traditional classroom lectures.
Learn More(Part of the Community Engagement Institute)
The Center for Behavioral Health Initiatives partners with non-profit organizations, healthcare providers, consumer-run organizations, community coalitions, self-help groups, and government entities to build sustainable and responsive relationships and systems. The center provides professional training, group facilitation and planning, policy and system design and analysis, and face-to-face consultation for individuals or small groups
The Center for Economic Development and Business Research is provides the regional business and economic development community with a reliable and responsive source for business, economic and demographic information, and as an essential partner in the region's economic development process by conducting high-quality, objective research on issues related to the community's current and future economic well-being.
The Center for Educational Technologies to Assist Refugee Learners (CETARL) works together with resettlement agencies, community members, and providers of English as second language classes (ESL) to address the fundamental human right for education and educational opportunities for all communities.
Learn MoreThe Center for Energy Studies (CES), one of the 13 university members of the public-private Power Systems Engineering Research Center (PSERC), pursues excellence in energy and electric power industry research and advanced power system education. The CES finds innovative and efficient solutions in the areas of power systems, power quality, energy technologies and communication and control systems.
Learn MoreThe Center for Entrepreneurship strives to positively impact the university and grow Wichita’s economy by helping students, faculty, and community entrepreneurs learn how to develop innovative ideas and guide them toward commercialization and venture creation.
Learn More(Sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration)
The center's mission is to provide high-quality research and support to autonomy stakeholders both within the US and beyond to safely and efficiently integrate autonomous systems into the national and international infrastructure, thereby increasing commerce and overall public safety and benefit.
(Part of the National Institute for Aviation Research)
The Center of Excellence for Composites and Advanced Materials (CECAM) is a division of the FAA’s Joint Advanced Materials and Structure Center of Excellence, established in 2004 to assist in ensuring the safe and reliable application of composites and advanced materials to commercial aircraft. CECAM is headquartered at Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research.
Learn More(Part of the National Institute for Aviation Research and Federal Aviation Administration)
The FAA Center of Excellence for Technical Training and Human Performance, known as COE TTHP, is a consortium of leading aviation research institutions dedicated to helping the FAA revolutionize technical training practices and take human performance to new heights.
For over 45 years, the Center for International Business Advancement, in partnership with the World Trade Council of Wichita, has and will continue to provide education, to conduct research, and to promote international trade through the Midwest. The center holds monthly events that bring together various stakeholders, including local, national, and international business leaders, government officials and foreign diplomats
Learn More(Part of the Community Engagement Institute)
The Center for Leadership Development prepares individuals and organizations to lead more intentionally and effectively by designing and facilitating individualized, immersive leadership experiences. Our goal is to enable people to lead in changing times – knowing that all times are changing times.
The Center for Management Development in the W. Frank Barton School of Business at 49ͼ provides quality professional education to individuals and corporate clients in order to enhance careers and foster workforce development. CMD acts as a strategic partner with organizations to provide you with current business knowledge and the best practices to develop your leaders and employees
(Part of the Community Engagement Institute)
The Center for Organizational Development and Collaboration serves nonprofit organizations, government entities, and community coalitions, helping them make progress on setting goals, creating actionable plans, and developing their programs or boards. Using contemporary group facilitation techniques, staff help organizations and communities create a shared vision, chart a course for progress, and hold participants accountable.
The purpose of the Center for Physical Activity and Aging (CPAA) is to examine the interrelationships between exercise and aging via research, education, and service. The CPAA then integrates these findings into practical forms of physical activity and multidimensional strategies that allow older adults to maintain or improve their quality of life. Through community outreach programs and workshops, the CPAA provides practical guidance for older adults, as well as those that live and work with them.
Learn More(Part of the Community Engagement Institute)
The Center for Public Health Initiatives believes that strategic partnerships that build capacity are needed for Kansas to maintain a high performing public health system. The center provides technical assistance, training and evaluation support for local health departments and other organizations that provide public health services.
The Public Policy and Management Center (PPMC) at 49ͼ advances public good by strengthening people, organizations and communities. The PPMC provides expertise and support in the areas of research and program evaluation; talent development and professional services; and community development.
Learn MoreThe Center for Real Estate was established to help deepen the connections between the professional real estate community and the academic programs at Wichita State University. Housed within the W. Frank Barton School of Business, the Center for Real Estate engages in a variety of research, community networking, and student support activities to achieve this goal.
The College of Fine Arts Institute provides high-quality and affordable instruction at a professional level for preparatory students and adult learners desiring general or specialized training in the performing arts or music. The Institute serves to enhance the goals of the College of Fine Arts mission as they relate to community cultural development.
Learn MoreThe Centers of the 49ͼ’s Community Engagement Institute partner with communities and organizations to strengthen Kansas through education, leadership development, facilitation, project management, and research.
Ennovar at 49ͼ provides solutions for software, technology, and support services for companies worldwide. Working with partners to address current community, workforce and research needs, the institute has designed an employment model that meets partner needs and enhances the learning process for student employees — integrating education and employment to the benefit of all.
Learn MoreThe costs of environmental services, programs and infrastructure continue to rise. At the same time, the individuals, communities and governments tasked with paying for environmental protection are experiencing significant financial burdens. The 49ͼ Environmental Finance Center (EFC), housed within the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs, is one of 10 Environmental Finance Centers located across the country that provide communities with professional training, technical assistance and applied research to bolster efforts to manage the costs of environmental protection for the public.
Learn MoreFirePoint is a partnership between 49ͼ and the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command, Aviation and Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC). We accelerate joint technology development, transfer and commercialization among DEVCOM, universities, industry and other government organizations.
GoCreate is a creative community workspace open to creators of all ages and experiences. Bring an idea and we will help make it come to life! The 18,000-square-foot space offers sophisticated tools and equipment, as well as expert training and a supportive community that can help make your prototypes, projects and dreams come true.
(Part of the Community Engagement Institute)
The IMPACT Center strives to connect people with opportunities to IMPACT their community. Developing and leveraging human capital to IMPACT community is central to all we do. Through internships, fellowships, and volunteer opportunities, people are able to engage their communities and organizations.
The Institute for the Study of Economic Growth (ISEG) was established in 2018 to advance the teaching, research, and application of innovative and entrepreneurial activities in a free enterprise economy to enhance societal prosperity through economic growth.
(Part of the National Institute for Aviation Research)
The Jerry Moran Center was opened in 2019 on the Innovation Campus to house NIAR’s Virtual Engineering and Crash Dynamics Labs. The space and updated equipment enable NIAR to expand work volume, hire more employees and provide more precise testing for clients. The facility also features additional client prep bays, which will allow multiple clients to be in the lab at the same time, while maintaining privacy during testing.
Learn MoreThe Kansas Council on Economic Education (KCEE) works to equip Kansas teachers with the resources and skills needed to educate the youth of Kansas with knowledge of personal finance and economics. KCEE offers graduate credit courses through the six Centers for Economic Education and non-credit workshops and professional development opportunities across the state.
The 49ͼ Kansas Small Business Development Center offers confidential, no-cost advising to help you start or grow your business. The center also offer over 75 training events each year to support you with all aspects of your work.
Learn MoreThe Midwest Criminal Justice Institute (MCJI) provides training and technical assistance to criminal justice organizations in Kansas and the surrounding states. MCJI is operated through the School of Criminal Justice and provides a variety of training seminars at little to no cost.
Learn MoreThe Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (MDL) is a new Wichita State laboratory that was created for COVID response and focuses on public health to support COVID-19 prevention and control efforts by providing high-throughput, low-cost, quick-response COVID-19 virus test screening capacity to inform the population and help local health and safety officials to focus their response resources to areas of highest demand.
Learn More(Part of the National Institute for Aviation Research)
NCAMP, the National Center for Advanced Materials Performance, works with the FAA and industry partners to qualify material systems and populate a shared materials database that can be viewed publicly. NCAMP started as a FAA-funded program within the National Institute for Aviation Research at 49ͼ and stemmed from NASA's 1995 Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiment (AGATE).
Learn MoreThe National Institute for Aviation Research conducts research, transfers technology and enhances education for the purpose of advancing the nation's aviation industry, and to assist non-aviation industries that may benefit from aviation-related technologies.
Learn MoreThe National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation (NIRDT) at Wichita State University is an interconnected business solution provider and research consortium dedicated to accelerating the benefits of digital transformation for education, business, and society. NIRDT engages industry professionals to conduct research and engage with students and business partners in the application of Digital Transformation.
Learn MoreThe Regional Institute on Aging (RIA) is a virtual research organization designed to serve the citizens of metropolitan Wichita, Sedgwick and the adjacent counties through research and service in the field of aging
Learn MoreThe World Trade Council of Wichita (WTCouncil) was founded in 1975 by Dr. Lee Nehrt, Dr. Dharma deSilva, and Dean Larry McKibbin in concert with 11 area multinational companies to promote international trade and investment in Greater Wichita and south-central Kansas.
Learn MoreUse the form below to submit additions or corrections to the content on this page. Strategic Communications reserves the right to edit submissions for length and style. Only 49ͼ Centers and Institutes will be considered for inclusion.