Richard D. Muma (2018-2021)

Richard (Rick) Muma was born in Wichita, Kan., but raised in Houston, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, an MPH in Community Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston, and a PhD in higher education administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Rick has more than 30 years of experience as a professor/administrator and physician assistant (PA) in internal medicine and infectious diseases. Before assuming the Provost position in 2018, he served as the Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management. While at WSU he has also served as Chair and Professor in the Departments of Public Health Sciences and Physician Assistant. Prior to joining the WSU faculty, Dr. Muma served as Chair for Saint Louis University's Department of PA Education and an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, Department of PA Studies.

As the Provost, Muma serves as the university’s chief academic officer and provides academic leadership for the university’s priorities including enrollment, applied learning, funded research, and regional economic development. Prior to assuming administrative roles at WSU, Muma was very active in reshaping health profession education at Wichita State. Most notably he was responsible for developing undergraduate degrees for paramedics and health science majors, a master degree in physician assistant studies, and reorganizing the Department of Public Health Sciences to include undergraduate degrees in health management and health science and a graduate degree in Aging Studies.

He's still involved in his research on healthcare issues, with a current project focusing on human health outcomes of rapid energy exploration. He has published his research in notable journals and has edited four books, two on HIV infection and two others on patient education.