Joseph Shepard
From Ballotpedia
Joseph Shepard is running for election to the Wichita City Council to represent District 1 in Kansas. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025. He advanced from the primary on August 5, 2025.
Biography
Shepard earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in public administration from Wichita State University. His professional experience includes working as a director of multicultural engagement and campus life. Shepard has served on the board of directors for the Kansas African American Museum, the board of directors for Interfaith Ministries, the board of directors for the Women's Health Network, and as president of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, Eta Beta Lambda Chapter.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Wichita, Kansas (2025)
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Wichita City Council District 1
LaWanda DeShazer and Joseph Shepard are running in the general election for Wichita City Council District 1 on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| LaWanda DeShazer (Nonpartisan) | ||
 | Joseph Shepard (Nonpartisan) | |
| ||||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Wichita City Council District 1
Joseph Shepard and LaWanda DeShazer defeated Chris Pumpelly, Aujanae Bennett, and Darryl Carrington in the primary for Wichita City Council District 1 on August 5, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Shepard (Nonpartisan) | 47.9 | 1,811 |
| ✔ | LaWanda DeShazer (Nonpartisan) | 20.5 | 776 | |
| Chris Pumpelly (Nonpartisan) | 16.5 | 622 | ||
| Aujanae Bennett (Nonpartisan) | 11.1 | 421 | ||
| Darryl Carrington (Nonpartisan) | 4.0 | 151 | ||
| Total votes: 3,781 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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2019
See also: Wichita Public Schools, Kansas, elections (2019)
General election
General election for Wichita Public Schools, At-large
Incumbent Sheril Logan defeated Joseph Shepard in the general election for Wichita Public Schools, At-large on November 5, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sheril Logan (Nonpartisan) | 52.8 | 17,666 |
| Joseph Shepard (Nonpartisan) | 46.6 | 15,606 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 202 | ||
| Total votes: 33,474 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Wichita Public Schools, At-large
Joseph Shepard and incumbent Sheril Logan defeated Trish Hileman and Brent Davis in the primary for Wichita Public Schools, At-large on August 6, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Shepard (Nonpartisan) | 32.9 | 5,452 |
| ✔ | | Sheril Logan (Nonpartisan) | 29.8 | 4,925 |
 | Trish Hileman (Nonpartisan) | 24.7 | 4,089 | |
 | Brent Davis (Nonpartisan) | 12.6 | 2,088 | |
| Total votes: 16,554 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2019
Joseph Shepard completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Shepard's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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1.) To ensure taxpayers receive a return on their financial investment in public education by being fiscally responsible with the budget and holding the district, in addition to other school boards accountable as it pertains to the allocation of funds in each budget area. I believe it is imperative to allocate funds to areas that will impact the lives of students most, retain and recruit talented teachers and help the district, as well as the Kansas State Department of Education to meet its mission.
2.) With nearly 75% of children and families coming from homes of poverty in USD 259, I feel it is vital to work with the district, community organizations and other school board members to infuse healing centered engagement practices in our public schools. According to the National Survey of Children Health, nearly 35 million U.S children have experienced one or more types of childhood trauma. The trauma our students experience play a significant role in their academic performance, behavioral issues and social development. While restorative justice practices and trauma-informed approaches have proven to help address the problem, healing-centered engagement is the holistic approach that gets to the root of the trauma and begins the process to help the student heal. My goal would be to enact policies that encourage school psychologists and counselors to receive training and partner with community organizations that can provide the necessary resources to our students.
The areas of public policy I am passionate about include policies that allow everyday people to have a voice in our democracy. To be more specific, as a graduate of the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs, I am passionate about funding for our public schools, because I believe it plays a vital role in the success of our students. I am also passionate about communication because I believe elected officials should always have to answer to those they serve and to be forthright in addressing those concerns.
As the son of a pastor, I admire my father who worked tirelessly to give to others and ensured their needs were being met. I watched my father make tremendous sacrifices to ensure that others had what they needed. He taught me the meaning of "service before self." However, I also admire currently leaders who work everyday to transform the lives of those they serve. Councilman Brandon Johnson and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center, Ed O'Malley truly inspire me because they have shown me through their actions the importance of reaching across the aisle, leaning into discomfort and seeing the world through the lens of someone else in efforts to understand that there are multiple interpretations to situations and critical challenges that we face. Finally, I can help but to think about all the women who have had a profound impact on my life. Assistant Director of Wichita States Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Danielle Johnson. Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at Wichita State, Kaye Monk-Morgan. Dean of Students of Newman University, Chrisitine Schneikart-Luebee. Director of Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Wichita State University, Alicia Sanchez. Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement, Dr. Marche Fleming Randle and of course, the silent warrior of my family, my mother. All of these women helped me tap into my potential and gave me the tough love I needed. It is because of their belief in me and their fight to help me succeed that I am where I am today. If I had to follow anyone's example, I would have to follow Danielle Johnson's example. She is passionate, tough and hardworking who pours into those she mentors with passion and tough love. I truly want every student that I serve to feel my care, candor and belief in them just as Danielle made sure I felt it from her while I was one of her students in college.
The 1989 film "Lean on Me" Directed by John Avildensen or 2007 film "Freedom Writers" Directed by Richard LaGavenese
Integrity, honesty, grit, selflessness, servant-ship, compassion, humility, passion and resilience.
As a young person of color running to be a school board member in a urban school district, I believe that I can use my experiences to help serve the children and families that USD 259 attracts. Furthermore, whenever we're talking about the educational needs of our young people, it only makes sense to have a young voice represented at the table;therefore, I believe as a young person I have a pulse on the needs of the students attending USD 259 schools. In addition to this, I am passionate, energetic and I bring a fresh perspective to the table. Nearly 75 percent of the children and families of USD 259 come from homes of poverty, as a first generation college graduate who grew up in poverty, I understand the trauma that comes with many of these students and how that trauma impacts their academic performance as well as their behavior. I want to work with the school district to help heal our children. Furthermore, with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters Degree in Public Administration, I believe that my educational background has given me the knowledge on how to lead efficiently and effectively by establishing a level of demonstrated trust, building relationships and connections and being a good steward of monies by maximizing every dollar for the common good.
The core responsibilities of a school board member is to ensure that we are providing a quality education to every child who walks through a USD 259 school door. We do this by asking the difficult questions to school administration, listening and supporting teachers, support staff and stakeholders, doing what's in the best interest of students, being accessible to our community, working in collaboration with the school district administration to meet standards and goals as well working diligently to address policy, questions and concerns that hinder our students from being successful. Ultimately, it is our responsibility to ensure that our student leave the four walls of our school work force ready and prepared to contribute to our communities and economy.
I would like for my legacy to be one that lives on through the success of each student that walks our hallways. I want the children, families, teachers, support staff and various other stakeholders to feel that our schools are better because of my service to the Board of Education. I want the family or the child who once did not believe success was attainable to feel that not only is it attainable, but they're able to turn their dreams into a reality because someone at the school board level raised their voice, fought for them and helped them tap into their own potential.
The first historical event that happened in my life time was being homeless and washing up in a McDonald's restaurant before heading to school. As a child, my siblings and I were homeless on and off. I recall waking up in my biological mother’s car after sleeping in a Walgreen's parking lot overnight and driving to a nearby McDonald's where my older brother and I brushed our teeth and washed up inside of the bathroom. As customers came in and out of the restroom looking towards my brother and I, I made the decision in that moment that I wanted more for myself and for my family. I made the decision to give this thing called life my all by any means necessary to ensure I, nor my siblings would ever have to relive a moment like that again. That moment shaped my passion. That moment ignited a flame inside me that won't ever burn out, even when face with difficulty and adversity. I want every child, regardless of their circumstances to have that same flame and to know that with a strong work ethic, passion and a dream, success is possible.
My first job was at a McDonald's in Oceanside, Ca. I worked the job to help pay for senior year expenses. I held the job for 2 1/2 years before relocating to Wichita, Kansas.
My favorite book is titled: "The Wait" by Devon Franklin and Megan Good. I love the book because it underscores the reward for patience and trusting that good things come to those who wait.
The favorite thing in my home is my degree. As a first generation college graduate, It serves as a reminder and symbol of hope for not only me, but my entire family.
I believe that I am a hard worker who can't stop working. Finding time for myself has always been a struggle. I believe this is because I grew up in a household where hard-work was the only way to get things done. I grew up watching my father give so much of himself, yet helping other fulfill their life purpose. I believe I am on the mission to do the same. However, I've always struggled with saying, "no."
The primary job of a school board member is to make certain that every child walks out of our schools better than they walked in. It is to ensure that our schools are meeting the standards and expectations of the state, but more important it is to advocate for our children to ensure they're getting the necessary investment they deserve from the community, state and various other stakeholders who play a vital role in the success of our schools and the students they serve. School board members are champions and they much work tirelessly to champion the need of every student and those who serve them.
The constituents are the individuals who live within the USD 259 boundaries and have an interest in our public schools. We have a ethical and moral obligation to answer to those we serve. Those who have voted for us and those who have not.
As a young man of color, I would strengthen partnerships with surrounding colleges and universities to help encourage students of color and those of diverse backgrounds to major in education, complete their practicum and work in USD 259. I believe that school board members should proactively be speaking with college students about the various benefits of being a teacher and work with them to help them obtain their education through programs such as the Grow Your Own Teacher Program.
Currently as a candidate, I have conducted a listening tour visiting various parts of our city because I believe it is imperative to meet people where they are. If granted the opportunity to be elected to the USD 259 School Board, At-Large Member, I will utilize social media to engage with constituents in innovative ways and commit to holding community meetings once every 3 months in various parts of the city. If elected, I plan on creating an advisory board comprised of parents, students and community members to ensure I am meeting the needs of the children and families I wish to serve. Although I won't target groups specifically, I do believe actively engaging with every constituent will help me reach the broader community.
I believe that parents play a vital role in the success of our students. However, I do believe in a school district like USD 259, many of our parents lack trust with our school board official, or sadly don't know they exist. During the campaign I have knocked several doors in hopes of listening to the concerns of our parents and families that we serve. If elected, I plan to continue to going door to door in efforts to establish a relationship and connection with the parents who are invested in our public education. I feel having face to face interaction and building relationships with parents establish trust. Once we have a shared level of trust, then we can get more buy-in. Once we get buy-in we get their involvement. I am determined to do this and will begin to restore relationships on day 1 of my term.
Yes, it is important to intentionally recruit diverse staff to work in our schools. As a profession of color working in higher education, I have found many students of color seeking to pursue education with hopes of working in secondary education. However, many of these students allow the fear of the unknown stop them from pursuing that career path. Therefore, I would work diligently to educate communities of color on the steps that they need to take in order to become a teacher. In addition to this, I have found that many students who aspire to pursue a career in education struggle to pass their licensing exam. It is imperative that we acknowledge the difficulty that aspiring teachers of color are having with this step in the process and provide the educational resources to help them pass this test. I would work alongside the Kansas State Department of Education to create tutoring opportunities to help teachers struggling to pass their exams. As a young professional working in education, I would use my connections to the younger generation to speak to the incentives and benefits of becoming a teacher. Furthermore, I would ask that it be mandated for school board members and an appointed official of the school district to proactively recruit teachers of color to teach in education.
I believe there are many obstacles that get in the way of quality education. Funding, overworked teachers, lack of community support/buy-in, lack of understanding of our students experiences and leaders who focus on personal interest instead of doing what's best for the common good. We address this by working with state legislators and other leaders within the city to advocate for more funding for our schools. We must collaborate and show our legislators the significant impact lack of funding is having on our teachers, schools and overall economy. When we don't fund our schools adequately, when are teachers are not being paid their worth, when our students don't have access to the tools they need to learn, then we fail our communities. We must ensure that our teachers feel appreciated for the work that they do by not only paying them what they're worth, but celebrating them for all that they do. We must work to diversify our staff by proactively recruiting teachers from diverse backgrounds so that more teachers understand the experiences of the evolving population of students we're serving. Finally, we must elect leaders to the school board and various other levels of leadership who want to do what's best for the common good and have a track record of doing so.
What constitutes good teaching is doing all that it takes to see that every child is making the yearly progress necessary to reach the rate in which they become proficient in the subject areas needed to thrive in the world post-graduation. We will measure this by not allowing only state assessments to determine the success of our children or the quality of our teachers, but following the yearly academic progress for each child in their subject area. Finally, I will support the advancement of teaching by ensuring teachers have the freedom within the curriculum to deliver the content in innovative ways that work for their students.
Students are in need of the soft and critical skills needed to thrive in life. These skills include but are not limited to: How to read, write, calculate numbers without using a calculator, how to have face to face interaction, time management, respect and integrity. Also, financial management, how to fill out a college application, job application, how to interview and how to operate basic technology.
I believe the value of a high school diploma must be changed by changing perception. We must continue to highlight the quality of students that USD 259 produces. I feel as though the value of a high school diploma has changed along with the perception of our public schools. There are individuals who feel as though our students are lacking the necessary skills to be ongoing contributors to our workforce. While that may be true for a few, it is important to note that there are also talented students who are doing phenomenal things for our communities and contributing back to our economy in may ways. I feel once we do a better job of shifting this narrative, then the value of a high school diploma from USD 259 will change as well.
I would like to see us expand the curriculum by getting back to the basics. Nearly 20 years ago schools all across our nation offered courses that granted students the opportunity to learn skills that could lead to a job or help them in their personal lives. I would like to see classes like home economics and auto mechanic offered again. I feel this will give our students the experience they need to earn a trade after high school. Furthermore, I would like to see us expand our curriculum by teaching more about Women's history, LGBTQ history, Black History, Native American History and highlighting those who've made significant contributions to our society. This history of marginalized communities is American history and we must do our do diligence to share their stories.
In order to ensure our schools are properly funded we must produce results and work alongside other leaders in the city to advocate for more funding. Educational funding is not just the job for our school board members or school administrators, but it's the responsibility of everyone. Seeing that our young people will be contributors to our economy, we must invest in their education to ensure that they're workforce ready and capable of performing the task required of them. My strategy is simple: empower the voices of our students, teachers, support staff, community members and other stakeholders. My plan is simple: to amplify the needs of our students so that those in positions of power will see first hand the difference dollars can make to providing a quality education. Lastly, I will personally work with state officials and legislators to fund our public schools.
The principle that drives my policy for safety in schools is to doing what is best for our students and keeping THEIR safety and security as the #1 priority.
Since 2017, I’ve played an active role in South High’s Mental Health Awareness Campaign. I’ve had the opportunity to speak to students in USD 259 about the importance of mental health, self-worth, and self-awareness. I believe expanding this program with the help of the students who founded it, will help to address the mental and emotional well-being of our students. While in college and serving as an intern for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. In 2016, I worked with the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention to host the Out of the Darkness Walk, in collaboration with many Wichita State University student organizations. This event was open to the entire Wichita community, including USD 259 students. I will work community organizations to de-stigmatize mental health in our schools and encourage students to seek counseling. In addition to this, I believe working with students to create a “You Matter Campaign” to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention led by students. Nevertheless, our teachers are human beings too. I believe part of their benefits package should include being able to seek mental health resources at a reasonable rate. I would work with our school district to implement this.
I imagine technology empowering students to think with innovation and creativity, but more importantly pushing students into areas of STEAM.
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Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
Every child deserves a champion who fight for their needs in and outside of the classroom. I am running for the USD 259 School Board to be a young voice for the young people.[2] |
” |
| —Joseph Shepard[1] | ||
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
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