Year: 2024

Your students have an opportunity to win $1000 for using the library. The Library Research Award recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who have effectively utilized University Libraries’ resources for their research or creative projects during the past academic year (summer through spring semesters).

Students must complete the application/essay by April 8. Applicants are required to have a faculty member submit a brief letter of support that is due by April 12.

For questions, email lib.award@wichita.edu.

The Library Research Award recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who have effectively utilized University Libraries’ resources for their research or creative projects during the past academic year (summer through spring semesters). Submit your application, complete with a 500-word essay, due by April 8 and have a faculty member submit a letter of support, due by April 12.

By participating, you not only get to reflect on your research journey but also stand a chance to win $1000.

Take advantage of this chance for personal growth and success.

For questions, email lib.award@wichita.edu.

Summer and fall course schedules are now available online. Students are encouraged to choose their classes before registration begins Monday, April 1.

Why should students take summer classes? Summer classes are a great way to catch up on credits and graduate sooner.​

• Financial aid is available for those who qualify.​
• Courses are available in two-, four- or eight-week schedules with online, hybrid and in-person formats​

Be sure to reach out to your academic advisor with any questions about scheduling your summer and fall classes.​

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Kansas WISE 2024: Taking Action will take place March 7. This year’s events are designed to emphasize the empowerment of taking action in your own lives whether it be personally or professionally.

The event is free and open to all State of Kansas employees. A more detailed agenda and session descriptions are below along with registration information.

Kicking off late morning with a panel discussion of inspiring women, we will transition to an afternoon of breakout sessions where you choose your path. Afternoon sessions include the power of self-talk, community engagement and action steps we can take to support women’s advancement and sense of belonging in the workplace.

Each event has a separate registration. You will receive a confirmation email for each event you register to attend that includes your unique link and the option to add the event to your calendar.

• Panel discussion
  11:45 a.m. -1:15 p.m.
  Join Kansas WISE and a panel of inspiring women in a conversation about their unique experiences with taking action and making choices and the empowerment and self-care that comes with it. Panelists to be announced soon.
• Session one, one breakout. 1:30-2:30 p.m.:
  The Power of Self-Talk
  Self-talk is the inner dialogue that shapes our thoughts, feelings, and actions. In this session, explore how negative and positive self-talk can impact our work and well-being. Walk away with strategies to improve self-talk patterns for the better.
• Session two, two breakouts, choose one. 3-4 p.m.:
  • Civic Leadership Pathways
    Presented by Emily Vietti from the KU’s Institute for Leadership Studies, Civic Leadership Pathways prepares you to be more civically engaged by giving you the confidence to say “Yes!” to serving your community. You’ll also learn more about the Ready to Run Campaign Training for Women and how to get involved in their 2024 class.
  • Advancing and Belonging in the Workplace
    Join KU’s Inspiring Women in Public Administration for a facilitated conversation using Covey’s Circle of Influence and Control to reflect on actions steps we can take to support women’s advancement and sense of belonging in the workplace.

Please direct questions to KansasWISE@ks.gov.

Dr. Alex Ellery, a mechanical and aerospace engineer from Carleton University in Ottawa, will join Interstellar Seminar from 2:30 to 3:20 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 in 104 Jabara Hall and online to discuss in-situ resource utilization, space manufacturing and the interplanetary economy.

Regenerating spacecraft during multigenerational voyages, when there is no chance of resupply, requires ingenuity, planning and flexible additive manufacturing.

Ellery’s work touches on space robotics, biomimetic design, autonomous systems, lunar mining and self-regenerating von Neumann probes. Find zoom details and an archive of past Interstellar Seminars on the Wichita Space Initiative webpage (wichita.edu/space).

The McNair Scholars Program is accepting applications for 2024-25 academic year. McNair assists students who are underrepresented in higher education to prepare for graduate school.

It will be hosting two informational events next month for students who are interested in learning more about the program.

Wednesday, March 6: TRIO McNair Scholars Program informational events:

• In-person at 11 a.m. in 165 Grace Wilkie Annex
• Virtual at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom

RSVP to the events at 316-978-3139 or mcnairscholars@wichita.edu to receive more information.

Student who are unable to attend an informational, can book a time to meet individually at the following link.

Hear from current and former students in the program.

The Graduate School is seeking faculty, staff and community volunteers to judge during the poster session of the 2024 Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium Friday, April 26 in the Rhatigan Student Center Ballroom.

The Graduate School is counting on volunteer services this year, and this will give volunteers an excellent opportunity to learn about the research graduate students have been engaged in across campus.

The Office of Human Resources has launched the first pages of its new website. You’ll notice a new look and feel to the HR website starting today and continuing throughout the year as it generates easier employee access to HR information, tools and resources.

Designed to improve navigation for existing employees and potential candidates, it brings the information, tools and resources that you are looking for to the forefront of the page. This new landing page also highlights employee success, important news and how the HR team is here to help you.

The HR team would love to hear any feedback you have as they continue this work. Go to the main landing page and look around. Use the survey widget on the site to share any feedback on the usability of the site or if there are resources you would like to see as a quick link.

Stay tuned for further development of the service area pages.

The Barton School of Business has installed a new art exhibit in partnership with the Envision Arts Program. Gretchen Howarth is the latest artist who is visually impaired to be showcased on the third floor of the Barton School.

“The Envision Arts installation has become a stalwart exhibit at Woolsey Hall,” said Dr. Duane Nagel, senior associate dean of the Barton School of Business. “It is a true inspiration to everyone.”

Howarth is legally blind with much of her vision gradually lost to Stargardt, a genetic eye disorder that causes progressive vision loss. This disorder creates thousands of holes in the retina. For Howarth, she sees through “a galaxy of tiny dots” and has no center focus.

The Kansas Science Olympiad state tournament will be at WSU Saturday, April 6. Science Olympiad is a team competition for middle schools and high schools in which students compete in several different STEM events throughout the day.

The tournament needs many volunteers to help with various administrative tasks throughout the day or assist with the events. No science background is needed to help.

The Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences sponsors the Kansas Science Olympiad program, with the state tournament hosted at Wichita State each spring.

Contact Jill Fisher for more information at jill.fisher@wichita.edu or sign up to volunteer online.