Overview

Bobby Gandu serves as Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, Applied Learning and Director of Admissions for 成人头条 with leadership of the Office of Admissions and strategic oversight of the Shocker Career Accelerator 鈥� Career Development Center and the Shocker Transfer Accelerator. He oversees recruitment, admission and yield strategy for the domestic undergraduate population. The ten largest freshmen classes in the university鈥檚 127-year history have occurred during his tenure and the institution has held the distinction of Kansas鈥� #1 transfer destination for 13 years in a row.

He began his professional career in the WSU Alumni Association, serving as Director of Alumni and Student Programs before shifting to the Office of Admissions as an Assistant Director. He was named Director of Admissions in 2008 before being named AVP in 2019. He鈥檚 won professional awards from the Kansas Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, 成人头条 State Foundation and Alumni Engagement, 成人头条 Business Journal and the 成人头条 Chamber of Commerce.

Bobby serves on EAB鈥檚 National Advisory Council, ACT Council for the State of Kansas and holds local board of director appointments for the 成人头条 Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 Leadership 成人头条 and the United Way of the Plains.

Focus areas

Favorite hangout spot on campus

My favorite spot to hang out when I was a student was Ablah Library, our spacious four-story facility with endless study spaces and learning resources. Today, though, nothing beats the rowdy confines of Charles Koch Arena, where 10,500 screaming fans are cheering on the Shockers while booing the opposing team (and sometimes the referees, too). 

Advice for future Shockers

Challenge yourself to start conversations with people you don't know who aren't like you, join a student organization that you know a lot about, plus one you know little about that just sounds like fun, and take your college classes by storm. College is an incredible journey but it's on you to make it an amazing, entertaining and successful ride. 

Degree

Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Marketing with minors in Finance and Management, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Information

Academic Interests and Expertise

EDUCATION

  • Master of Business Administration, 成人头条 2006
  • Bachelor of Business Administration 鈥� Summa Cum Laude, Marketing 成人头条 2002

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

  • Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions
  • NASPA Mid-Level Professionals Institute
  • Leadership 成人头条 of the 成人头条 Chamber of Commerce
  • 成人头条 State Leadership Academy
Professional Experience

2019 鈥� Present | Assistant Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management and Undergraduate Admissions, 成人头条

2008 鈥� 2019 | Director of Admissions, 成人头条

2007 鈥� 2008 | Interim Director of Admissions, 成人头条

2004 鈥� 2007 | Assistant Director of Admissions, 成人头条

2002 鈥� 2004 | Director of Alumni and Student Programs, WSU Alumni Association

Awards and Honors

2020 | Laura Cross Distinguished Service Award, WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

2020 | Gold Winner for Best Nonprofit Campaign and Best Pandemic Response Campaign, 成人头条 American Marketing Association

2018 | Richard N. Elkins Special Service Award, Kansas Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers

2014 | Best Social Media Campaign, 成人头条 American Marketing Association

2011 | Distinguished Young Professional of the Year, 成人头条 Chamber of Commerce

2010 | 成人头条 40 Under 40, 成人头条 Business Journal

2010 | Leadership 成人头条, 成人头条 Chamber of Commerce

2005 | Dean鈥檚 Award for Service, 成人头条

2002 | Senior Honor, 成人头条

Areas of Service

UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATION LEADERSHIP ROLES

Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization, Board of Directors

Kansas State ACT Council, Member & Chair

Kansas Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Member

National Association for College Admissions Counseling, Member

University Committees:

  • Strategic Enrollment Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • University Marketing and Enrollment Team
  • Enrollment Services
  • University Admissions Exceptions
  • NCAA Compliance Committee
  • Kansas Board of Regents 鈥� Review & Update of Admissions Requirements
Other Interests

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Current:

  • United Way of the Plains, Board of Directors & Executive Committee
  • Leadership 成人头条 Board of Trustees, Education Co-Chair
  • National Association of Asian American Professional 成人头条, Mentor

Previous:

  • Cosmosphere International SciEd Center & Space Museum, Board of Directors
  • Young Professionals of 成人头条, Board of Directors and Member
  • Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters, Bigs in Schools Volunteer
  • Honorary Base Commander, McConnell Air Force Base
  • 成人头条 American Heart Association, Board of Directors