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. 71 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 11 FRIENDS UNIVERSITY
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