Year: 2024

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

Events occurring this week:

• 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 in person in 258 Rhatigan Student Center, Smoky Hills Room
• 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, online, attend the Online Open Enrollment Presentation. Registration is not required.

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.

Are you interested in studying abroad in summer 2025? Study Abroad is offering the London Travel Seminar in May 2025 as a faculty-led program open to all undergraduate and graduate students. To learn more, attend an information session at 1 p.m. Oct. 18 in 500 Lindquist Hall.

Scholarships are available to help cover part of the program cost for students with high financial need.

For more information, visit wichita.edu/LondonSummer or contact Study Abroad at studyabroad@wichita.edu.

The steps in front of the Engineering Building will be inaccessible for repairs starting Friday, Oct. 11 and accessible again next Friday, Oct. 18. During the work, the entrance and sidewalk/ramp will remain open.

Dr. Yumi Suzuki, associate professor in the School of Criminal Justice in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, recently published her research in the FBI: Law Enforcement Bulletin (LEB) on investigating money mules.

The article — “Insights on money mule cases,” published Sept. 9 — explores investigative challenges in money mule cases where money is moved from victims to other criminals who are often overseas. Based on a survey from financial crime investigators in law enforcement and financial institutions, the article discusses the role of cryptocurrency, shared databases and transnational organized crime on these investigations.

Dr. Brett Bruner, assistant vice president for Student Success & Persistence, will receive the 2024 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region IV-West Distinguished Service Award at the Regional Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Oct. 22.

The award is presented to a NASPA member who has provided volunteer service to the association via leadership roles at the state, regional, national and international levels; has progressed from entry-level to senior-level leadership roles within NASPA volunteer leadership experiences; has been involved in multiple branches (regions, knowledge communities, divisions and groups) of the association; and has significantly impacted NASPA as an association through their volunteer service.

Earlier this year, Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP received a seven-year, $3.5 million dollar per year grant that will serve 2,500 students in foster care across the state of Kansas.

Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP has been hosted by Wichita State since 2002. In August 2023, the project learned its proposal for another seven-year grant was tied with another state in the grant competition and was subsequently awarded to the other state.

In May of this year, with permission from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Deltha Colvin, associate vice president for College Readiness and Retention Programs; and Corinne Nilsen, executive director of Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP collaborated to write a new grant proposal to the U.S. Department of Education, which was approved.

Since 1999, GEAR UP projects across the nation have been instrumental in transforming the lives of students, families and communities. By providing invaluable resources, mentorship and support, GEAR UP plays a pivotal role in expanding opportunities for students from underserved backgrounds.

Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP goals:

• Ensure students in foster care enrolled in secondary school are on track for graduation
• Improve high school graduation and college enrollment rates for students in foster care
• Increase the number of seniors in foster care who complete and submit the FAFSA application

GEAR UP brings together middle and high schools, colleges and universities, state agencies, and community organizations in pursuit of the same mission. Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP will continue its impact for another seven years to help students in foster care complete high school and go to college, thanks to the new grant.

Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP by the numbers:

• 20,059 students served across the State of Kansas (2002-2023)
• 369 schools attended by KKGU students in 2022-2023
• $79 million dollars from the U. S. Department of Education (including the new grant 2024-2031)
• Over $54 million dollars in matching non-federal funds from partners, school district and community donations (as of October 2023)
• For the 2022-2023 academic year, KKGU served 399 seniors in high school. Of those, 301 graduated (75.44%) and 203 completed a college application (67.44%)

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

Events occurring this week:

• 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16 in person in 258 Rhatigan Student Center, Smoky Hills Room
• 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, online, attend the Online Open Enrollment Presentation. Registration is not required.

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 annual Expanding Your Horizons Day hosted by Wichita State is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 2. The one-day event introduces middle school girls to a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas.

Attendees will meet STEM role models, participate in hands-on activities and learn more about careers in those fields. Registration is free this year and includes three interactive workshops, lunch and a WSU bag for all that pre-register by Oct. 28.

Volunteers are also being recruited to lead or assist with workshops. Sign up to volunteer.

Come support Shocker volleyball at Charles Koch Arena at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11 and help celebrate 25 years with Chris Lamb, head coach for Shocker volleyball, during the team’s match against South Florida.

Students can grab a ticket to the game at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

In honor of National Transfer Student Week, transfer students can join Student Success for a day at the Sedgwick County Zoo Oct. 26. Reserve free tickets for you and a guest to explore one of Wichita’s award-winning attractions.

Tickets are only valid between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 26. Deadline to RSVP is Monday, Oct. 21.