Friends University

Belong Here, Go Further

A Legacy of Faith, Learning, and Community Engagement

For 128 years, Friends University has stood as a leader in Christian higher education in Wichita, Kansas, an institution where tradition meets innovation and students are encouraged not just to learn, but to grow in purpose and faith. With approximately 1,800 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and early college programs, Friends University continues to evolve while remaining persistent in its mission to prepare students for meaningful lives of service and leadership.

“We’re really on the path to be the preferred Christian university in the region,” says Dr. Amy Carey, President of Friends University. “We’ve always integrated professional programs with the liberal arts.

Integrating Faith and Scholarship

Friends University offers a diverse range of academic programs that reflect its commitment to holistic education, where career preparation and spiritual formation are integrated. “We’re seen as a national leader in Christian spiritual formation,” Dr. Carey explains. “We have some thought leaders who’ve been here for decades and programs at the master’s and doctoral levels that continue to grow.”

But spiritual formation is just one part of the institution’s broad academic portfolio. From zoo science, a nationally recognized program deeply tied to the local Sedgwick County Zoo, to cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, construction management, and business, Friends University’s programs address both current and future workforce needs.

Dr. Ken Stoltzfus, Vice President of Academic Affairs, emphasizes the importance of academic innovation in shaping the university’s identity. “We added mechanical engineering about six years ago and received accreditation about a year and a half ago,” Dr. Stoltzfus says. “That’s now a nationally accredited program preparing students for their engineering license. Our cybersecurity program, which we’ve had for about nine years, continues to grow because there’s such a national need for skilled professionals.”

The university’s partnership with the Sedgwick County Zoo in zoo science also stands out as a unique model for experiential learning. “Even though Wichita is a mid-sized city, our local zoo is well known,” Dr. Stoltzfus adds. “That partnership has been a real strength for our students.”

A Record-Breaking Year for Growth

Friends University in Kansas is celebrating one of its most successful years in recent history, and the momentum is unmistakable. “This year we have the largest incoming class in our history,” says Dr. Carey. “It’s also what we believe to be the second largest undergraduate enrollment in our history, with nearly a thousand undergraduate students.”

The surge arrives at a time when many private colleges across the United States are facing declining enrollment numbers due to demographic shifts. For Friends, the opposite trend speaks volumes. “We’re seeing that people are looking for traditional values again,” Dr. Carey says. “They want that small college experience where they are known and seen, where families can have trust in the institution.”

Diversity and access are at the core of the story. “We’re 47% ethnically diverse, and almost half of our students are Pell eligible,” Dr. Carey adds. “Inclusion is one of our values, and it’s something we’ve lived out for decades.”

Innovation Through Infrastructure and Opportunity

Over the past several years, Friends University has undergone significant transformations in both its infrastructure and academic support.

“We’ve made at least a $20 million investment in renovating and expanding our facilities,” says Scott Frey, Chief Financial Officer. “That includes the Riney Fine Arts Center, the new engineering and visual arts building, the Cassado Student Center, and the Garvey Athletic Center.”

Dr. Carey notes that these investments are not just about aesthetics; they’re strategic. “We’ve also enhanced our business and technology building with a new recording studio, a cybersecurity lab, and a Bloomberg terminal for our student-led investment program.”

Scholarship support has also expanded dramatically. “We’ve invested about a million dollars in new scholarships,” Frey adds. “And our new centers, like the Center for Enterprise and Community Engagement, extend those investments beyond the classroom.”

That new Center is already making a tangible difference. “It mobilizes groups of students to go out in the community and do service mixed with experiential learning,” Dr. Stoltzfus explains. “Our first project is with the local Salvation Army, developing a business plan for their urban food initiative. Instead of one student working in one office, we have teams tackling real-world challenges.”

Building Workforce Pathways

The university’s strong ties to the Wichita community reflect its longstanding commitment to the belief that education should serve the greater good.

“Our early college program with USD 259, the largest school district in Wichita, allows high-potential students to earn nearly a full associate degree while still in high school,” Dr. Carey explains. “We have at least 100 students in that program who come to campus for classes.”

Friends University also collaborates with local businesses to create pathways into the workforce. “These aren’t just internships,” Dr. Carey emphasizes. “We’re working with employers like Nova Coast to provide talent pipelines and even attract new companies to Wichita. We were part of the conversation when Nova Coast decided to relocate here because they wanted access to skilled workers.”

Dr. Stoltzfus notes that this type of collaboration also extends into the field of mental health. “We were founding organizational members of the Kansas Behavioral Health Center of Excellence,” he explains. “That initiative brings educational institutions and mental health providers together to address the workforce shortage across Kansas, which is designated as a mental health shortage area statewide.”

Through its Center for Enterprise and Community Engagement, Friends also fosters civic engagement. “Our students worked with the city of Belle Plaine to develop revitalization plans for their downtown,” Dr. Stoltzfus shares. “That involved graphic design and business students collaborating on real solutions.”

Athletes Who Inspire Leadership

Athletics are another vibrant part of life at Friends University. “Our football team is ranked number four in the nation in the NAIA,” Frey notes. “Our golf team is in the top ten, and both our basketball and softball teams went to nationals last year.”

These achievements mirror the university’s competitive spirit and community pride. “Athletics build leadership, discipline, and teamwork,” Dr. Carey says. “They’re an extension of our mission to develop the whole person, mind, body, and spirit.”

Supporting the Educators Who Shape Lives

Behind every great university is its faculty, and Friends University takes faculty development seriously. “We’ve earmarked significant funding for professional development,” Dr. Stoltzfus explains. “We also received a Title III grant from the federal government that provides additional support for faculty training in effective teaching.”

The initiative addresses a common gap in higher education. “When professors earn PhDs, they become experts in their field but not necessarily in teaching,” he continues. “We’ve focused on training that improves instructional quality and student engagement.”

Faculty also benefit from sabbaticals, orientation programs, and mentorship through the Center for Mission-Focused Teaching and Learning. “Most faculty who apply for sabbatical are approved,” Dr. Stoltzfus adds. “They’re given time to conduct research or pursue renewal activities, which helps sustain excellence.”

Dr. Carey notes that the university’s financial stability contributes to retention. “Many institutions our size are struggling, but we’re in a good place financially,” she says. “That stability helps us invest in our people.”

AI Literacy as a New Essential Skillset

Friends University is also looking ahead to the next frontier in education: artificial intelligence.

“We’re having a lot of conversations among our faculty about AI,” says Stoltzfus. “One faculty member even asked for permission to use a program that creates teaching bots. That’s unique, it shows how engaged and forward-thinking our team is.”

He adds, “We know that 60 to 70 percent of jobs will require AI literacy. Our challenge is to integrate these tools responsibly, setting guardrails while ensuring students are prepared for the workplace of tomorrow.”

Dr. Carey echoes the sentiment, noting that embracing change while maintaining values is part of Friends’ DNA. “We’re preparing students to lead in a world that’s evolving fast, but we’re grounding them in faith and character as they do it.”

Welcoming all Through Shared Values

Perhaps what most distinguishes Friends University is its ability to embrace diversity within a shared Christian mission. “We’re very sincere about our faith and open to all people,” Stoltzfus says. “That combination of being faith-driven yet welcoming is powerful.”

Dr. Carey agrees, noting that this inclusivity has long been part of the institution’s legacy. “We have a program called Friendship Fields for differently abled adults, college-age and older, who are here on campus learning alongside our students.”

That spirit of civility, empathy, and shared growth may be precisely what higher education needs right now. “At a time when the world feels divided, Friends offers a place where people of different backgrounds can learn and live together with respect,” Dr. Carey adds. “That’s something we do well.”

Guided by Mission, Growing with Purpose

As Friends University celebrates growth and prepares for the future, its leaders remain focused on what has always defined the institution: faith, community, and transformative education.

“We’re investing in technology, housing, athletics, and community partnerships,” Frey says. “But at the heart of it, our mission remains the same.”

Dr. Carey reflects on the enduring relevance of that mission. “People are looking for a place where they can be known, where they can grow, and where they can trust the values that guide them. That’s what Friends University provides.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Friends University

What: A faith-based institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs that combine academic excellence with Christian values

Where: Wichita, Kansas

Website: www.friends.edu