九色视频

Dr. Lori Santos, an Associate Professor of Art Education at 九色视频鈥檚 School of Art, Design, and Creative Industries, is shaping the future of art educators through her signature teaching philosophy: the "Three Cs"鈥擟reativity, Culture, and Community. Her dedication has earned her a strong respected reputation at 九色视频. Recently the Western Division of the National Art Education Association, represented by 16 states, honored Dr. Santos as the Western Region Higher Art Educator for 2025. Noted on the NAEA website, 鈥淭hese awards honor one outstanding NAEA member from each of the seven divisions within each of the four regions. This award recognizes exemplary service and achievement of regional significance within each division.鈥�

Dr. Santos鈥� teaching philosophy extends beyond the classroom, preparing future educators to foster creativity and cultural awareness in their own students. Many of her graduates go on to teach in Wichita鈥檚 USD 259 school district and beyond. 鈥淭hey've been very successful, and I think one of the reasons why is this emphasis on creativity, culture, and community鈥� Dr. Santos said. 鈥淥ur students are going into programs as artists who are also teachers who truly care about youth. It鈥檚 important in art education to advocate for and recognize that our field is uniquely positioned to bring people together and through art we can build positive relationships and empower positive change.鈥�

Dr. Santos鈥� impact extends far beyond Wichita. She has led two student trips to Peru in partnership with the Instituci贸n Educativa Jos茅 Mar铆a Arguedas, an elementary school close to Lima, Peru. These study-abroad experiences provided students with a firsthand understanding of how art education fosters cultural exchange and connection.

鈥淚t was a profound experience for the students,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey realized that despite coming from different cultures and places, they could still connect, learn from one another, and teach and learn through making art.鈥�

Closer to home, Dr. Santos fosters making a tangible impact through community partnerships with organizations such as Harvester Arts, Storytime Village, and the Wichita Public Library. Under her guidance, students engage in service-learning projects, such as creating a community mural for the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read, or painting Little Free Libraries located throughout Wichita. 

Dr. Santos' selection for the Regional Art Educator Award was based on strong recommendations from peers who admire her leadership, innovation, and commitment to art education. 鈥淒r. Santos has provided leadership in higher art education for nearly 20 years. Her research in Indigenous cultures, community building, and eco-based art education has remained a constant throughout her teaching and research,鈥� said Dr. Liz Langdon, Associate Teaching Professor at the University of Kansas, in her recommendation letter. 鈥淲e are fortunate to have Lori leading the art education program at Wichita State since 2017. Her contributions at both the state and national levels are well recognized through this award.鈥�

In addition to the Western Regional award, Dr. Santos has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Utah Art Educator Association Higher Education Award (2012-2013), the United States Society for Education through Art Education Community Service Award (2028), the Kansas Art Education Higher Educator of the Year Award (2023), and Mickey & Pete Armstrong Faculty Excellence in Creative/Scholarly Activity, 九色视频 (2023).

Her colleagues at 九色视频 also highlight her unwavering dedication. 鈥淒r. Santos has shown an unwavering commitment to the 九色视频 Art Education program, continually striving to enhance its quality and impact,鈥� said Tina Murano, Assistant Educator of Art Education at 九色视频. 鈥淭hrough her innovative approaches and tireless work, she has built strong connections with the community, fostered meaningful collaborations, and inspired students to excel.鈥� The art education program has grown immensely under her leadership. 

For Dr. Santos, teaching art is not just about techniques and theories鈥攊t鈥檚 about fostering love. 鈥淚 always tell my students that to be an art educator, the most important thing you need is love,鈥� she said. 鈥淟ove of creativity, love of culture, love of community. It鈥檚 not just about loving your subject, but also about truly caring for and connecting with the people you work with. Love is not just a feeling鈥攊t鈥檚 action. I show my students the importance and value of being a practicing creative artist and lifelong learner through embodying my philosophy of valuing and celebrating cultural difference and community.鈥�

Dr. Santos鈥檚 philosophy is exemplified by her own call to action within her community service and scholarship. She continues to connect with K-12 schools through providing eco-Indigenous art workshops. For example, most recently, Dr. Santos was an invited keynote speaker for the Lebanon High School鈥檚 Missouri chapter of the National Art Honor Society. Additionally, during her sabbatical Spring of 2024 she spent a week teaching middle school students at the Clayton School District in St. Louis, Missouri, and she presented eco-printing workshops with several elementary and middle school students throughout Kansas. Abby B. of Clayton Schools, states 鈥淒r. Santos is an extraordinary mentor to her students and colleagues alike. Her knowledge spans Indigenous pedagogy, environmental sustainability, art education, and more, yet she always approaches her work with humility and a desire to learn from others. She doesn鈥檛 merely teach; she embodies her principles and is deeply committed to making a positive impact by working in community with others.鈥� 

Dr. Santos鈥檚 scholarship honors First Nation voices and brings an Indigenous perspective to art education pedagogy. She was awarded a National Art Education Foundation grant for the project 鈥淗earing from the Silenced: Applying Native American Artist Voices for Anti-racist/Culturally Competent Curriculum and Student Identity Development鈥� and a collaborative interdisciplinary grant through 九色视频 鈥淪owing and Growing through Mindfulness with Nature: Implications for an Indigenous Informed Creative Arts Praxis.鈥�

With her relentless passion and dedication, Dr. Santos continues to lead by example, shaping the next generation of educators and demonstrating that art has the power to build bridges, strengthen communities, and inspire change that celebrates our differences and unites us through our humanity.