PRESS RELEASES

Bryant Group Places President and CEO at Wichita State University

February 1, 2024

Dallas-based executive search and leadership consulting firm Bryant Group conducted a nationwide search resulting in Telly McGaha securing the role of President and CEO at Wichita State University.

“I am honored to be selected as the next president and CEO of the Wichita State University Foundation & Alumni Engagement. The enthusiastic welcome I’ve received from the foundation, university and the Wichita community has been energizing. I look forward to jumping into the work and collaborating with the board, foundation staff, President Muma, Provost Lefever, other university leaders and alumni and donors to continue building upon the strong foundation that Elizabeth King has laid and to further elevate, celebrate and advance Wichita State University,” said McGaha.

A mission-focused professional known for innovation, dedicated service and leadership, MGaha brings a wealth of experience in achieving excellence through collaborative leadership. He most recently served as the Interim President of the Georgia State University Foundation. Before that, he was the Associate Vice President for University Advancement at GSU. As the AVP, he spearheaded the launch of a $750 million capital campaign and raised $240 million over three years. As the Interim President, he oversaw tasks like a $33 million real estate transaction and a $5 million foundation merger

“Over the course of this search, we met with many candidates from across the country to find the best fit for this position, and we truly believe that Telly is the right person,” says Lynn Nichols, chair of the WSUFAE Board of Directors. “With his extensive experience in fundraising and management, we are confident his leadership will help the team continue advancing Wichita State’s priorities as we serve our students and community.”

In his new position, McGaha will work with the Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement and is an invited member of the University’s President’s Strategy Team and the President’s Executive Team

Established in 1913, the WSU Alumni Association coalesced around a dedicated group of alumni led by Harry Shuler for the purpose of creating a Shocker
community of university supporters. In tandem, the WSU Foundation, which was founded in 1965, has championed private support to advance the mission and
vision of the university. With a combined 168 years of experience, the two
organizations united in 2022 to create Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement, a single alumni-and-donor serving organization optimizing support of Shocker Nation through combined philanthropy and alumni engagement efforts.

Advancing Great Leadership
Bryant Group, based in Dallas, Texas, and with associates located across the United States, specializes in executive search and leadership consulting for higher education, healthcare and nonprofits with an emphasis on advancement leaders and other executives. In 1988, Bryant Group founder, Chris Bryant, started one of the country’s first search firms specializing in philanthropy recruitment. Now under the leadership of CEO Sally Bryant, the woman-owned firm has a 36-year history of recruiting, developing and coaching great leaders. Bryant Group has impacted more than 10,000 leaders and served more than 270 organizations.