Year: 2024

From the center of campus to downtown Wichita, Wichita State University’s footprint continues to grow and offer new opportunities for students and our community. As the spring semester rolls on, you will notice ongoing and new construction across our 330 acres and beyond.

Projects currently under way:

• Renderings released for Wichita Biomedical Campus
• Shocker Success Center
• Ablah Library
• Wichita State Connect
• Parking Services
• Millie Marcus Annex 
• Intensive English Center + Annex 
• NIAR Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Research (HAMR) 
• University Stadium (formerly Cessna Stadium)
• Wilkins Stadium 

The spring faculty and staff meeting for the College of Engineering will be from 3 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 in 123 Wallace Hall.

All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend for some important updates from Dr. Anthony Muscat, dean, College of Engineering. Topics include new personnel, budget information, enrollment, faculty hiring and some exciting new initiatives.

Partners in the Community Engagement Institute are gathering all of the feedback provided during the Feb. 8 Campus Climate Launch discussion.

Once Campus Climate Working Groups have that information, they will review those and begin sharing out different goals as well as progress towards improving the community.

Those who are interested in being directly involved can sign up for one of the four working groups. For more information, email vpsa@wichita.edu.

Lexi Jensen enjoys the amenities available in Wichita and the campus environment and academic offerings at Wichita State University. In her first months on campus, she dove into activities such as rowing and the Immersive Leadership Institute.

Shockers come from all over, and students from selected major metropolitan areas in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas may be eligible to receive regular in-state tuition at Wichita State. Read what some out-of-state students have to say about why they chose WSU — and Wichita — as their new home.

To help guide the new Wichita State Connect space located in the heart of campus, Wichita State has hired Dr. Alicia Thompson, former superintendent of USD 259, as the associate vice president of preK-12 connections and special projects.

In this role, Thompson will direct the new Wichita State Connect, which will serve as a hub for preK-12 field trips, mixers and professional development opportunities for educators and to provide WSU academic colleges and programs chances to engage with schools, industry and community partners.

“I am excited to join the Shocker Nation family as its new associate vice president of preK-12 connections and special project,” Thompson said. “I’m looking forward to continue building connections between the university and our community, including our public schools, to help elevate educational opportunities for all.”

Thompson brings with her 31 years of experience working in service of students during her time at USD 259. She will start on Feb. 19.

“Dr. Thompson’s extensive experience as the former superintendent of Wichita Public Schools provides a unique opportunity to capitalize on her wealth of knowledge and deep commitment to educational excellence. Her experiences in preK-12 education will enhance our ability to offer relevant and dynamic programming for the intended audiences,” said Dr. Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president. “Her leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our partnerships with local schools and enhance opportunities for students across the region. We look forward to the impactful contributions she will make to our university community.”

The campus community is invited to learn more and ask questions about the next Wichita State Master Plan from 2 to 3 p.m. March 1 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium or virtually via YouTube livestream. President Rick Muma and Dr. Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president, will speak at the event along with representatives from Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm that helped develop the plan. Please RSVP to attend.

As a member of the Kansas Board of Regents, Wichita State is required to provide a master plan every 10 years to guide the vision of the future of the university, and the session is a chance for members of the campus community to learn more from university leadership on what the next 10 years of Wichita State will look like.

Attendees will be able to view Master Plan visual drafts at a reception following the event, and light refreshments will be provided. The livestream will be available to view on Wichita State’s YouTube channel following the event.

For more information or questions, contact Emily Patterson, executive director of Facilities Planning, at 316-978-5829.

February’s issue of Teaching Today is now available. This month focuses on the many things to love about teaching.

There’s lots more to love in the issue. In addition to the love-fest, it takes a little time to introduce the Office of Instructional Resources’ newest newsletter, Quiet Time.

To subscribe to either newsletter and not miss an issue, let the Office of Instructional Resources know via email: OIR@wichita.edu

The College of Engineering has announced that Dr. Anil Mahapatro will serve as its associate dean for undergraduate and graduate programs. A similar position, associate dean of undergraduate studies, finance and administration, was previously held by Dr. Steven Skinner, who returned to teaching and research within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering this past June. The new associate dean role will involve enhancing curriculum relevance, refreshing the Engineering+ program and expanding current programs to train workforce-ready students.

Before accepting the associate dean position, Dr. Mahapatro served as a professor in and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Within his role as a department chair, he fostered its growth from an undergraduate program to offering both master’s and doctoral degrees, demonstrating his ability to envision, create and execute strategic growth plans. According to Dr. Anthony Muscat, the dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Mahapatro’s collaborative spirit and dedication will be instrumental in helping the college become even stronger.

Tuition Assistance applications for summer 2024 are now being accepted through the online application form. The online application will be available through April 15 and will close at the end of this application period.

Due to the volume of applications received each semester, requests to submit late applications will be automatically denied with no exceptions.

Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.

To conclude National Engineers Week, the College of Engineering is hosting a public 5k run/walk that is open to students, staff, faculty and community members. The 5k will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 on campus, with the 5k beginning and ending behind the John Bardo Center. Registration proceeds from the 5k and associated donations will go toward the College of Engineering Needs-Based Scholarship Fund.

Through Feb. 16, tickets are $15 for WSU students and $40 for WSU staff or faculty and community members. After Feb. 16, the registration costs will increase. Registration includes a free long-sleeve crewneck shirt, water and snacks at the event. Medals will be presented to the overall fastest participant, as well as the top three fastest participants in the students, staff/faculty and community members categories.