Year: 2024

The Graduate Student Council and the Graduate School are excited to welcome grad students to join the first Grad Student Social of spring 2024 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2 at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes in the lower level of the Rhatigan Student Center for bowling, pool, food and a fun Friday night.

The event is a open at no charge, and students should bring their Shocker IDs. Email gsc.president@wichita.edu for questions.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the entire month of January. The office welcomes students, faculty and employees to visit the Cadman Art Gallery in the Rhatigan Student Center to explore an exhibit highlighting the life of the late Dr. King.

In addition to the exhibit, attendees are asked to contribute to the “Dream Wall” project at the entrance of the gallery, by adding a dream, hope or vision of their own for Wichita State, the Wichita community or the world. The exhibit will run until Wednesday, Jan. 31.

Interested in studying abroad? The first step is to attend one of the Study Abroad information sessions. The first session of the spring semester is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room.

Visit the Study Abroad website for a complete list of information sessions or for a video option and to register

The location for the Winter Welcome has been moved to the Heskett Center due to expected inclement weather. Additional modifications have been established to ensure students, faculty and staff are able to safely enjoy the Wichita State tradition.

Join the second annual Winter Welcome at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 and meet President Rick Muma and First Gentlemen Rick Case while you enjoy lots of fun and food while it lasts.

Contact the Office of Student Success for additional information at student.success@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3209.

The Shocker Career Accelerator is pleased to welcome Julie Sanders as its new employer relations account manager. In this role, Julie will identify and cultivate relationships with organizations across sectors, bridging the gap between businesses in alignment with the university’s overall mission and vision and focusing on the workforce needs of the many industries in Wichita and nationally.

One crucial element in her role will be collaborating with WSU’s internal departments to align students with applied learning opportunities. She connects entities with the appropriate resources and facilitates workforce solutions for partnered employers.

Dr. Pamela O’Neal, associate director of student engagement in the Office of Online and Adult Learning, has received the first Adult Learner Advocate Certification from the Urban Adult Learner Institute (UALI).

She completed the four required components from UALI to receive the certification, which enabled her to hone and sharpen her skillset for serving adult learners at WSU.

“As an adult learner myself, I understand firsthand the struggles and advantages of obtaining a degree later in life” O’Neal said. “Earning the certificate is a testament of the dedication I employ in being an advocate for our adult learners at Wichita State.”

O’Neal also cohosts the Shockers Learning Out Loud podcast with Dr. Amber Anderson, associate director of enrollment and retention, discussing adult learning topics and the challenges faced by adult learners. Two seasons are available for streaming now.

Any faculty or staff would like to earn their Adult Learner Advocate Certification can contact O’Neal at pamela.oneal@wichita.edu or 316-978-8315 for more information.

Renovations are under way in Wichita State’s Department of Physical Therapy space at WSU Old Town to expand the space in anticipation of significant growth in the program. Wichita State’s Department of Physical Therapy will increase the number of students in each class from 40 to 60 students and expand the number of faculty, administrative support team members and graduate teaching assistants. The first expanded class will begin June 2024.

Expanding the physical therapy program at WSU is a significant step toward meeting the growing demand for skilled physical therapists and improving health care in the region. Physical therapists are integral members of health care teams and provide highly specialized services, and they are playing increasingly vital roles in emergency departments, at times serving as primary health care providers, particularly in rural areas. WSU’s physical therapy program holds the highest first-time pass rate for the National Physical Therapy Examination in the region.

The second annual Healthcare Research Roundtable will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22. This year it’s reaching out to the University of Kansas and WSU Tech as well as the community and industry partners, and it’s extending its scope to include clinical work, the arts, humanities, applied studies and all the health-related work done.

This is a great opportunity for discovery, coalition-building and strategic planning. RSVP to help event organizers prepare and to volunteer to give a flash presentation (roughly five minutes) about your work. Spread the word and share the link.

Sponsored by the President’s Innovation Advisory Council (PIAC) and the Academic Center for Biomedical and Health Humanities (HealthHum). Support provided by the WSU Office of the President.

The second annual Healthcare Research Roundtable will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22. This year it’s reaching out to the University of Kansas and WSU Tech as well as the community and industry partners, and it’s extending its scope to include clinical work, the arts, humanities, applied studies and all the health-related work done.

This is a great opportunity for discovery, coalition-building and strategic planning. RSVP to help event organizers prepare and to volunteer to give a flash presentation (roughly five minutes) about your work. Spread the word and share the link.

Sponsored by the President’s Innovation Advisory Council (PIAC) and the Academic Center for Biomedical and Health Humanities (HealthHum). Support provided by the WSU Office of the President.

After an extensive national search, the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement is welcoming Telly McGaha as the next president and CEO of the organization. McGaha is joining Wichita State from Georgia State University and is expected to start on Feb. 12.