Gabriel Fonseca, Ed.D., Dr.

Overview

Dr. Gabriel Fonseca is a dedicated professional who has a deep commitment to student development and engagement in higher education. Serving as the executive director of Student Engagement & Belonging at Wichita State University, Gabriel works to build students into leaders while fostering a welcoming campus community through his service to the university.

Having spent over five years at Wichita State, Gabriel’s dedication to student development and advocacy is demonstrated through the various contributions to the university. His expertise in areas such as Student Government and Student Advocacy played a pivotal role in amplifying the voices of students and ensuring that their concerns were addressed effectively. Prior to joining the university, he gained valuable experience at Bethel College, where he was responsible for student activities and engagement. His time there provided him with an understanding of building a vibrant campus life and enhancing the overall student experience.

Gabriel holds a Bachelor’s degree in communication, a Master of Education in student and leadership development in higher education, and most recently obtained his Doctorate of Education in educational leadership at Wichita State University. Beyond this, he continues to build strong connections with students, faculty and staff, investing his time in creating positive relationships around him. Outside of work, Gabriel loves to hang out with his friends and family and watching movies.

Degree

• Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership
• Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Student and Leadership Development in Higher Education
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication

Office Contact

To get in contact with Dr. Fonseca for any questions, concerns, or other inquiries, please contact Josephina Cox at josephina.cox@wichita.edu. 

Professional Experience

Executive Director, Student Engagement & Belonging

Summer 2024-present · Wichita State University

Interim Executive Director, Student Engagement

2023-Spring 2024 · Wichita State University

Director, Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership

2022-Fall 2023 · Wichita State University

Interim Director, Student Involvement

2021-2022 · Wichita State University

Assistant Director, Student Government Association

2021 · Wichita State University

Assistant Director, Student Involvement

2018-2021 · Wichita State University

Director of Student Activities & Engagement

2017-2018 · Bethel College

Coordinator of Student Activities & Engagement

2015-2017 · Bethel College

Resident Director & Coordinator of Student Activites

2014-2015 · Bethel College

Lead, Learn & Serve Program Coordinator, Ridgeview High School

2013-2014 · Richland School District #2

Awards and Honors

President’s Distinguished Service Award

2024 · Wichita State University

Young Professional in a Major Company

2023 · Wichita Business Journal

Friend of the Union: Black Student Union

2023 · Wichita State University Black Student Union

Student Body President’s Legacy Award

2022 · Wichita State University Student Government Association 

Drum Major Award: Continuing the Dream

2022 · Wichita State University

Partnership Paladin of the Year Award

2020 · Students Learn, Students Vote Coalition & National Conference on Citizenship

Rising Star Award, Unclassified Professionals Senate

2020 · Wichita State University

Outstanding New Professional of the Year

2016 · National Association for Campus Activities

Areas of Service

Student Engagement & Belonging

Student Engagement & Belonging takes pride in creating and maintaining connections with various communities outside of campus and within Wichita State University. Student Engagement & Belonging cosponsors many different functions through these partnerships in order to provide our institution more variety and higher quality in multicultural events and programs. Throughout the year, Student Engagement & Belonging offers an array of academic, cultural, social and outreach programs. 

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Student Government Association

The Student Government Association is a student-run organization that represents the entire student body of Wichita State University. The Association’s purpose is to foster leadership skills, encourage school spirit, and teach democratic principles among students. It advocates for the development and advancement of student interests both inside and outside of the University community.

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Other Interests

LGBTQ+ Task Force

Comprised of faculty and staff, the LGBTQ+ Task Force makes ongoing assessment of attitudes and conditions throughout Wichita State University regarding LGBTQ+ issues.

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Student Success & Persistence

Student Success & Persistence is a Strategic Enrollment Management initiative to increase retention, persistence, and graduation rates for all students.

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University Staff Senate

The University Staff Senate works to foster communication and collegiality among staff of the University. The senate also provides representation for staff and is liaison to the university administration and others regarding issues of concern, while initiating and reviewing policies and procedures relating to staff and being a cultural driver for staff that reflects the values of Wichita State University’s Strategic Plan.

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Additional Information

Institutional Service at Wichita State University

Facilitator

• Men of Excellence · 2020-2025
• Staff Facilitator · 2020-2025
• Catalyst · 2020-Present
• Lead Facilitator · 2020-Present
• Shocker Leadership Experience · 2023
• Lead Facilitator · 2023
• LeaderShape Institute · 2019-2021
• Co-Lead Facilitator · 2020-2021
• Cluster Facilitator · 2019
• Summer Leadership Institute · 2018-2020
• Lead Facilitator · 2020
• Family Facilitator · 2018

University Staff Senate

• Past-President · 2022-present
• President · 2021-2022
• Vice-President · 2020-2021
• Organizational Governance Chair
• Student Affairs Senator · 2019-2021

Committees & Boards

• Student Affairs Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives Committee · 2023-2024
• Chair · 2023-2024
• Student Affairs Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee · 2020-2024
• Chair · 2023-2024
• Homecoming Steering Committee · 2022-Present
• Chair · 2022-Present
• Family Weekend Steering Committee · 2022-Present
• Chair · 2022-Present
• Rhatigan Student Center Board of Directors · 2022-Present
• Director · 2022-Present
• Richard D. Muma and Rick A Case Equality Scholarship Selection Committee · 2022
• Higher Education Student Affairs Program Advisory Council · 2022
• Shockers Vote! (Voter and Election Engagement) · 2020-2021
• Steering Committee Chair · 2020-2021

Task Forces

• Hispanic Serving Institution Task Force · 2022-2023
• LGBTQ+ Task Force · 2020-Present
  • Chair · 2023-Present
• COVID Operations Task Force · 2021-2022
• COVID-19 Reintegration Team · 2021-2022
• President’s Task Force on Campus and Community Inclusion · 2020
• President’s Task Force on New Academic Partnerships · 2020

Working Groups

• Rhatigan Student Center Expansion Project Team · 2020-Present
• Clinton Student Success Center Project Team · 2020-Present
• Free Expression Working Group · 2020
• Author · 2020

Search Committees

• Dean of the College of Applied Studies · 2022
• Student Diversity Program Coordinator, Diversity & Inclusion · 2022
• Assistant Director for Student Affairs Staff Engagement · 2022
• Executive Vice President and Provost · 2021-2022
• University Budget Analyst · 2021
• Coordinator of Student Diversity Programs, Diversity & Inclusion · 2020
• Coordinator of First Year Programs, Student Success · 2019
• Coordinator of Student Conduct and Community Standards · 2019
• Residence Life Coordinator, Housing & Residence Life · 2018

Other Engagements

Involvement

• District One Advisory Board, City of Wichita (Government Appointment) · 2020-2021
• NACA® Summer Series, Student Government · 2020
• Facilitator · 2020
• NACA® Central Regional Conference Committee · 2018
• Educational and Professional Development Coordinator · 2018
• Professional Development Coordinator · 2017
• Harvey County Head Start Policy Council · 2016-2018