Rogers State University’s Dr. Susan Willis was recognized as a Woman of Inspiration for serving her community with relentless dedication and passion while impacting the lives of area youth and community members.
The annual ceremony is sponsored by Williams and the Tulsa Shock WNBA basketball team. The recognition was presented at halftime during the June 28 Shock game at the BOK Center in Tulsa.
Willis, who joined RSU in 2007, serves as Department Head and Professor in RSU’s Department of Sport Management. She was nominated by her former student Holly Leitru, who graduated in May and now works for the Tulsa Shock.
“Dr. Willis makes sharing her expertise and wisdom with students a priority. She places a special emphasis on preparing upperclassmen for graduating and entering the workforce,” Leitru said in her nomination letter. “She sets high standards regarding academic excellence, ethical behavior and personal conduct. She develops her students personally and professionally, and makes herself available for students seeking counsel and guidance. Her career serves as a prime example of the success women can achieve in the sports industry.”
Willis leads the department that offers the sport management bachelor’s degree, which has experienced growing student demand in recent years. The program is designed to assist students in providing sufficient competitive skills and knowledge to obtain meaningful employment and facilitate reasonable career advancement in the area of sport management. Potential careers include administrators and managers in athletic, health, and country clubs, as well as entry-level management positions in college and professional athletic organizations.
For more information, visit Department of Sport Management.