12.9.24

WSU Tech president inducted into aviation Hall of Fame

Sheree Utash ’99, vice president for workforce development at WSU and president of Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (formerly Wichita Area Technical College), was inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame during a high-flying ceremony in Wichita last month.

“A huge congratulations to Sheree on her induction into the 2024 Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame,” says Cindy Hoover, a former Spirit AeroSystems senior executive who is now a Vistage Chair leadership guide and executive mentor. “Sheree is a visionary leader who has played a pivotal role in transforming WSU Tech into Kansas’ largest technical college.” Today, WSU Tech serves over 8,000 students and is the managing partner for the National Center for Aviation Training.

A national figure in technical education and workforce development and policy, Utash — who holds a doctorate in community college leadership from National American University, a master’s degree in liberal studies focusing on communication, education and sociology from Wichita State, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and marketing from Kansas State — has overseen academic programs in manufacturing, aviation, IT, specialized trades, healthcare and general education.

Her experience in securing and managing grant-funded initiatives includes leadership of the National Aviation Consortium, a $15 million grant project that brought together two-year colleges across five states to work on meeting the aviation industry’s workforce needs.

Utash, who was tapped to be a member of the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board, has testified before the U.S. Senate’s Commerce Committee on Aviation, advocating for growth in the aviation industry and the critical need for skilled aviation workers. Her civic leadership includes being named Honorary Commander of the McConnell 22nd Refueling Wing in 2018, SkillsUSA Postsecondary Administrator of the Year for Kansas in 2017 and NAACP Wichita Chapter Person of the Year in 2016.

Her induction as a member of the 2024 Class into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame was celebrated during a ceremony November 19 at Wichita’s Kansas Aviation Museum. The Hall of Fame was created to preserve the memory of extraordinary citizens of Kansas who have made “contributions to aviation of statewide or national significance.”

Each year, a selection committee considers nominated individuals who must have strong connections to Kansas, either by birth and early life or through career work. The committee consists of members from the Kansas Aviation Museum, the Kansas State Historical Society, the Kansas Department of Transportation (Aviation), and the Wichita Airport Authority.

Utash met all criteria. “I’m continually inspired by the difference she makes for students, the aviation industry and our community,” Hoover says. “I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next!”