Year: 2024

At WSU, we believe in the importance of creating a safe and healthy environment for all of our community members. To that end, we have partnered with Catharsis to provide Title IX & Civil Rights Training. This training is highly interactive and engaging, and is based on research around best practices for healthy communities. As you complete your training, we invite you to reach out to the many referenced resources in order to join the larger discussion of these topics on our campus.

What is the duration of the training?
The duration of the training is approximately 40 minutes.

When is the training deadline?
Jan. 10, 2025

How do I access the training?
Log into myWSU and click on the “Home” tab at the top. You should see the training link on the bottom left side of the screen. If you have trouble accessing the training, contact the Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance (CTAC) at ctac@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3186.

Thank you for your participation and for helping us to build the best campus possible. The CTAC office is now located in Shocker Success Center, room number 017.

The open enrollment window to submit 2025 benefits elections is now more than halfway over. Supervisors will begin receiving email updates this week if members of their team have not submitted 2025 elections. The HR Total Rewards team is asking all supervisors to help spread the word to all staff and faculty that open enrollment is mandatory.

Reminder: All benefits-eligible state employees must make their 2025 elections by the deadline of Oct. 31. Employees currently enrolled in medical coverage who do not complete an open enrollment election will be defaulted into medical Plan N with a use-it-or-lose-it HRA effective Jan. 1, 2025. Employees should log in to the Member Administration Portal to make their elections, even if they don’t plan to make any changes from their current 2024 coverage.

There are many resources available to employees on the open enrollment website, including open enrollment presentations as well as an on-demand webinar.

And watch SEHP’s on-demand webinar.

Are you interested in a career in nursing? The School of Nursing is hosting an information session at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 18 in 300 Ahlberg Hall.

Join nursing faculty to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs at Wichita State, admission requirements and get your questions answered.

Are you ready for the 2025-26 FAFSA form? The form will launch Dec. 1. For now, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships encourages students to create an account on studentaid.gov or take the steps towards account password and username recovery.

Make sure you have all your materials easily accessible to make the process as smooth as possible once the FAFSA form opens. If you have any questions, visit the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship in 203 Jardine Hall or visit wichita.edu/fafsa.

Are you interested in studying abroad for summer 2025? The Study Abroad office will offer the Paraguay Honors Service-Learning Program in May/June 2025 as a two-week, faculty-led program that is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Students who would like to learn more about the program should attend an information session at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 in 265 Rhatigan Student Center, Lucas Room.

Study Abroad has travel seminar scholarships available for the program that can cover most costs for students with high financial need. For questions, contact Study Abroad at studyabroad@wichita.edu.

All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in open enrollment. Log in to the Member Administration Portal to make your elections.

Events occurring next week:

• 10-11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, online

Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. To add meeting reminders to your calendar or for additional information visit the open enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

The Shocker Printing storefront will be closed for an upgrade between 7 and 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21. You will not be able to submit a print job or place a supply order during this time.

Lauren Coffman, a current biomedical engineering student, has always been fascinated by space. Her childhood interest turned into a reality when she secured a NASA Pathways Internship in human health and performance at Johnson Space Center (JSC). From an early love of space exploration to landing an internship with NASA, Lauren’s journey has been filled with determination, hard work and guidance from her mentors at Wichita State.

This past summer, Lauren completed her first NASA Office of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (O-STEM) internship at the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH). During her time there, she developed procedures for biomedical equipment used in commercial spaceflight, tested these procedures with her team, managed biosample collections from astronauts and organized biomedical hardware as it moved across institutions. Now, in her current Pathways role, Lauren focuses on ensuring astronaut safety through the development of supplemental materials for biomedical equipment, certifying medical devices and analyzing countermeasures for spaceflight. “A majority of my day is spent analyzing problems with equipment and designing solutions for efficient spaceflight,” she explains.

The Barton School of Business announces the selection of three distinguished industry leaders to be inducted into its “Beyond” Hall of Fame. These inductees are the second class to be recognized for their visionary leadership and remarkable achievements to the Barton School and community. Their official induction will take place during a celebration Feb. 21, 2026, which will coincide with the 100th year anniversary of the Barton School.

Meet the inductees:

• Paul Allen
  Paul Allen has served as chief executive of Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, L.C. (AGH) since 1987. He was the managing partner of a national accounting firm’s Wichita office until AGH’s founding members created an independently owned firm to more effectively serve closely held, entrepreneurial companies and public-sector entities in the central U.S.
• Dan Carney
  Dan Carney co-founded Pizza Hut with his brother Frank Carney in 1958. He is a WSU alumnus having earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration in 1953 and Master of Business Administration in 2004. His commitment to Wichita State over the past 70 years is extensive, and includes serving as chair and member of both the WSU Foundation Board of Directors and the WSU Board of Trustees.
• Steve Feilmeier
  Steve Feilmeier is a retired executive with a notable career at Koch Industries, where he served as executive vice president, CFO and president of Koch Investment Group. As CFO from 2003 to 2021, Steve played a role in steering the company’s financial strategy and growth. He previously held the position of vice president of tax, accounting and finance, and began his tenure with Koch Industries in 1997 as controller for Koch Chemical Group.

“What an extraordinary trio of inductees,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “Each of them has made a profound impact on both the Barton School and their respective industries. Congratulations to Paul Allen, Dan Carney and Steve Feilmeier on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to strengthening our communities. I eagerly look forward to celebrating this momentous occasion.”

Jennifer Miranda, junior electrical engineering major, is completing her internship with NASA this semester and will be featured on NASA’s “Launch Your Future” internship webinar at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17.