WSU Today: Monday, Dec. 8, 2025

Required Training

Title IX & Civil Rights Training required for students, faculty, staff

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. The training deadline is Feb. 2, 2026.

Human Resources

myPerformance Self-Evaluations begin in January. Managers, please ensure you've completed these steps prior to January: Update any of your comments if necessary, and Save and Submit on the Summary Page.

Prepare for self-evaluations: 2025-26 evaluations in myPerformance will automatically route from manager to employee the beginning of January

Managers of non-teaching employees, here’s what you need to know. At the start of January, your employees will be able to view content you entered during the planning and mid-review steps of the evaluation cycle when they go in to complete their self-evaluation. You’ll regain access to their evaluations for the manager review during the month of February.

University shares schedule for winter break 2025

To help employees plan their work schedules and time-off usage throughout the year, Wichita State is happy to share the winter break schedule has been approved this year, which will commence at the end of the day Friday, Dec. 19, with the university reopening Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. The break is 10 business days, two of which are paid holidays. Thanks to President Muma, employees may use four “Additional Personal Days” to remain in pay status during winter break. Classes will not be in session during this period.

Learn more about winter break

Events and Recreation

Image of Teri Hall, text says youre invited! retirement celebration honoring Dr. Teri Hall Vice President for Student Affairs.

Join in celebrating with Dr. Teri Hall at retirement reception Dec. 8

Join in honoring Dr. Teri Hall, vice president for Student Affairs, and celebrate her well deserved retirement at a reception from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room. Remarks will begin at 3:30 p.m.

Woman wearing blue jacket with white piping and pearls, black glasses, banner above her head in black on white with yellow border. Starburst with words "featured speaker: Dr. TLC"

Register for 2026 Ad Astra Conference

Register for the upcoming 2026 Ad Astra Conference on Jan. 30 here at Wichita State. The Ad Astra Conference brings first-generation students from colleges and universities across Kansas and the surrounding states together for a common experience with a desired outcome of greater persistence to graduation.

The featured speaker is Dr. Teresa L. Clounch (Dr. TLC), acting vice president for student life and dean of students, Washburn University.

WSU students can attend for free. Registration is due by by Jan. 16.

Learn more and register

News

Welcomefest: Wichita State University. Jan. 20-Feb. 14, 2026. Submit your events at wichita.edu/welcomefest. Registration deadline: Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Submit your events to be featured as part of the spring 2026 Welcomefest schedule

Welcomefest takes place during the first four weeks of the fall and spring semesters and features dozens of activities. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include Winter Welcome, the Involvement Fair and much more.

Hosted by various student groups and campus departments, most events are free and give all students a chance to get acquainted with each other, learn their way around campus and find ways to connect with the community.

Submit your events to be featured as part of the Welcomefest schedule. The deadline to register your event is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17. Visit wichita.edu/Welcomefest for more information.

2025 Service Recognition photos now available to view

Photos from the 2025 Service Recognition events are posted and available to view online on the Service Recognition website. The events recognized colleagues who reached a milestone of five to 50 years of service with the State of Kansas, those inducted into the Bender of Twigs, and those who’ve retired from the university.

Thank you again to all the honorees for your dedicated service to Wichita State University and to those who helped WSU celebrate and recognize them. Collectively, 4,980 years of service were recognized. Congratulations again to all the honorees.

Nov. 12 photos Nov. 13 photos

Congratulations to fall 2025 URCA grant award recipients

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (URCA) Hub is excited to announce that three undergraduate-led research projects have each been awarded $1,500 this fall.

Robustness analysis of direct position determination for radio emitter localization

URCA grant award recipients: Brody Bazzelle, Dr. Visvakumar Aravinthan and Dr. Yanwu Ding

Angle-specific muscle activation on a multi-modal exercise system: a 10-,uscle EMG study.

URCA grant award recipients: Rida Azmi, Sydnie Strong, Samantha Scraper, Cierra Milledge, Dr. Stacy Johnson and Dr. Heidi Bell

Being wrong feels right: predictive responses of expected and unexpected variations during active music listening using multi-modal-fNIRS-EEG analysis.

URCA grant award recipients: Garett Knight, Dr. Savina Jahnke and Dr. Erin O’Bryan

Looking ahead, spring 2026 URCA Grant applications are due March 9, 2026. To learn more about the grant, eligibility or how to apply, visit the URCA website. For any questions, contact undergraduateresearch@wichita.edu.

Student Success and Persistence

Faculty Collaboration Corner with Student Success. Explore Shocker Sparks, Learning Labs and Classroom Remix options at wichita.edu/fcc.

Your spring plans plus Student Success equal success beyond the syllabus

As you prepare for spring classes and meetings, reach out early to schedule a Student Success presentation that helps students thrive. Faculty can check out options at the Faculty Collaboration Corner, and if you’re hosting a meeting, just use the presentation request link to make it happen. Shocker Success is excited to team up with you this spring to create stronger connections in the classroom and across campus.

NSF: Research experience available for undergraduates

The Kansas National Science Foundation's Established Program for Stimulating Competitive Research is now accepting applications from undergraduate students. This opportunity offers a fully funded summer research experience, complete with hands-on involvement and a generous stipend. Share this information with your undergraduate students, especially those in related fields.