3/13/25

By University Communications

HAYS, Kan. – Melissa Hunsicker Walburn, the Interim Dean of the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University, was selected to lead the college as its next dean.

Hunsicker-Walburn has served as interim dean of the college on two occasions and brings more than a decade of experience as a senior higher education administrator and teacher to the position. Hunsicker-Walburn brings a diverse professional background, strategic vision, and entrepreneurial mindset to the role.  Her experiences prior to higher education include working as litigation counsel and technical staff in highly complex and competitive industries of telecommunications and public utilities, as well as directing Kansas’ 529 college-savings plan. In addition to her work for Fort Hays State University, she currently serves as an appointed director on the board of High Plains Farm Credit.

“Melissa’s agile and authenticity-centered leadership drove the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship to continued growth in the MBA program, record student scholarship awards, and several new global academic partnership opportunities,” said FHSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jill Arensdorf. “She cares deeply about the faculty, staff, and students at FHSU.  I look forward to working with Melissa to finalize the RCOBE strategic plan and vision for the future.”

Hunsicker-Walburn led the effort to secure two renewals of a National Security Administration Center for Academic Excellence accreditation for the Information Enterprise Institute at FHSU. She also envisioned and led the establishment of FHSU’s innovative Cybersecurity Institute and Technology Incubator, which today serves small and mid-sized businesses in Kansas by providing critical information security consulting services and targeted student microinternship support.

She was also instrumental in creating and expanding experiential student learning opportunities, including FHSU’s student multimedia news agency, the Tiger Media Network, and the New Media Institute, which empowers students to explore the intersection of culture, communication, and technology, study abroad, innovative business entrepreneurship-focused student competitions, and in the university’s efforts to advance workforce development and economic prosperity across the state of Kansas.

"As a first-generation college graduate, I have experienced firsthand the transformative power of education to open doors and change lives, said Hunsicker-Walburn. “I look forward to working with our exceptional faculty to deliver programs that equip today’s learners with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in a dynamic and rapidly evolving workforce. I am honored to step into this role and remain committed to ensuring that high-quality, accessible business education is within reach for all students.”