(February 23, 2018) KANSAS CITY, MO – Avila University President Ronald Slepitza, Ph.D., CSJA has been named to the 2018 class of Icons of Education by Ingram’s, Kansas City’s business magazine.
The Icons of Education recognition is awarded to those educational leaders who, with the body of their work in classrooms or administrative roles, have demonstrated exceptional ability to influence students and elevate their academic performance, or whose administrative contributions have enabled teaching staffs to do the same.
“It’s humbling to receive such a recognition especially when one thinks about all the great people over the years who have made one’s success possible,” Slepitza said. “When you honor me, you are really recognizing them.”
Ingram’s chose Slepitza as one of the 10 educators selected this year, due in part to the Avila Promise, an intentional tuition reduction model designed to give students a clearer, more affordable path to their futures. “The Avila Promise is built on four cornerstones.” Slepitza said. “Those cornerstones are: a lower tuition rate and tuition protection, an on-time graduation guarantee, a guaranteed internship or research experience and a travel award of up to $1,000.
Under Slepitza’s leadership, the Avila Promise is already responsible for transfer rates trending up by 42 percent this spring. Fall 2018 numbers are anticipated to be equally as encouraging.
Slepitza enjoys helping students reach higher. “With college students, I help them see what they may not see in themselves,” Slepitza said. “It doesn’t happen alone. It happens because you get a lot of energy around something important, people invest in it, they have a stake in it, and as a result they make something happen that wasn’t thought possible.”
The 10th annual Icons of Education honored Slepitza, along with Roger Goldman (St. Louis University), Linda Harrelson (Summit Christian Academy), Robert Klein (University of Kansas Medical Center), Cindy Lane (Kansas City, Kansas Schools), Mark Lombardi (Maryville University), Alan Marble (Missouri Southern State University), Debbie Mercer (Kansas State University), John Tomblin (Wichita State University), and Ken Weaver (Emporia State University).
Avila University, a Catholic University founded and inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, provides undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and professional studies, preparing lifelong learners who make meaningful contributions to the global community.