WSU Today: Friday, March 6, 2026

Human Resources

Step 5, signatures, of the annual performance evaluation cycle for non-teaching employees has started and employee signatures are due March 7. Employees can now login to myPerformance, review their evaluation, add any final comments, and electronically sign their evaluation.

Employee signature for 2025-26 myPerformance evaluations is due March 7

Annual non-teaching employee performance evaluations for 2025-26 will be available for employee signatures beginning March 1 provided that their manager has submitted their manager review in myPerformance.

Employees should log into myPerformance then electronically sign and submit their 2025-26 evaluation by 11:59 p.m. March 7.

Helpful hints:

Let your manager know if you don’t have access to your evaluation. Managers must submit their manager review for you to have access.
Progress through each page of your evaluation to review all comments and ratings.
Enter your name in the signature field, click “Sign,” and then click “Submit” on the approval signature page and the submit review pop-up window.
To find in-progress or past evaluations in myPerformance, check the small box “Show completed and expired tasks” then click “Search.”

For more information (including myPerformance training, quick reference guides and other resources) go to the myPerformance webpage (wichita.edu/myPerformance).

WSU Retirement Planning Seminar scheduled for March 27

The annual WSU Retirement Planning Seminar is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 27. This is an all-virtual event designed to offer information to employees who are beginning to plan for this transition.

Vendors will present on a variety of topics including estate planning, Medicare and retirement plan specific information. There are also two on-demand videos available now from HR Total Rewards covering retiree health plan options and the WSU retirement process.

The seminar agenda, videos and information can be found on the Human Resources website.

The EAP presentation requires registration; all others can be joined at the time of the meeting. Content will continue to be updated and meeting links will be added as the event draws closer.

Faculty and Staff Resources

Voya Financial in-person KBOR retirement plan consultations to be available at WSU

Jonathan Cross and Stephen Cross Jr., investment adviser representatives with Voya Financial, will be available for in-person meetings at Wichita State Monday, March 9 and Tuesday, March 10. Faculty and staff can get one-on-one advising and review their Voya Financial accounts as part of their KBOR retirement plan, or new employees can receive assistance in enrolling in their KBOR plan.

If you are interested in meeting with Jonathan or Stephen, you can schedule a time to meet and select the “Wichita State University / One-On-One Financial Counseling” while selecting your location. Time slots are limited, so reserve a time soon. For questions, you can call 316-788-0788.

Staff can register now for the annual Shocker STRIVE Conference March 27

The annual STRIVE Conference is coming up and all WSU staff are invited to participate again in 2026 on March 27. STRIVE is full of great professional development and networking. The goal is to provide as much flexibility as possible, therefore the morning and afternoon sessions have been duplicated to accommodate staff schedules.

More information on the conference will be available on the Staff Senate webpage.

Presentation topics include:

Artificial intelligence
Docking Survey
Supporting students and applied learning
Role of the leader
Staff resources
Belonging with purpose
Finance 101
Putting strengths to work

News

The Rhatigan Student Center presents... Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day. Friday, March 6. Deals and freebies exclusively for campus faculty and staff. Must show ID. See wichita.edu/rscappreciation for all details.

Rhatigan Student Center hosting Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day specials

Visit the Rhatigan Student Center on Friday, March 6 for its annual Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day. All day, Wichita State faculty, staff and campus affiliate/partner staff can enjoy deals and freebies exclusively for them. Faculty/staff must show their Shocker ID. Visit wichita.edu/rscappreciation for more details.

Photo collage from the "Beyond' Hall of Fame gala on February 21, 2026.

Barton School raises $1 million for student success at ‘Beyond’ Hall of Fame gala

The Barton School of Business raised more than $1 million to support student success with the sold-out “Beyond” Hall of Fame gala, which officially launched the Barton School’s 100th anniversary celebration Feb. 21.

More than 300 alumni, business leaders, university officials and community partners gathered for the event, which honored three transformative leaders: Paul Allen, Dan Carney and Steve Feilmeier.

In honor of the Barton School’s centennial year, proceeds from the gala will support scholarships, applied learning opportunities, global immersion programs, career development initiatives and student support services – ensuring today’s students are equipped to lead in a rapidly changing economy for years to come.

Shocker Athletics

Shocker Pride Community Wide Tailgate MBB vs. Florida Atlantic

Faculty and staff can get discounted tickets to upcoming men’s basketball game and enjoy pregame tailgate

Shocker men’s basketball is playing for big stakes, and Shocker Athletics wants to pack Charles Koch Arena for the game against Florida Atlantic at 3 p.m. Saturday March 7. Ticket deals and food add to the fun.

Fine Arts

Student actors perform in an improv production

The Midterm Student Improv Show will take place in the Ulrich Museum

School of Performing Arts students in the Improvisation for Actors classes will perform their midterm show from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 in the Polk/Wilson Gallery at the Ulrich Museum of Art.

Improv — short for improvisational theater — is a form of live, unscripted performance where actors create scenes, characters, dialogues and stories on the spot. Unlike traditional theater, there is no script and everything is made up in real-time, often using suggestions from the audience.

From the classes, taught by Kate Compton, assistant professor, two troupes will perform: Absolute Improv and Wu’s Line is it Anyway?

Everyone is welcome at this free event.

Volunteer Opportunities and Surveys

Student Activities Council seeking judges for Shockers Got Talent

The Student Activities Council is seeking judges for the third annual Shockers Got Talent competition. Judges will watch, evaluate and score 10-12 student performers to determine this year’s winners who will receive scholarships.

Faculty and staff who volunteer their time receive the best seats in the house and are provided dinner for their time. Must be available starting at 6 p.m. April 2 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center.

Deadline to apply is midnight Friday, March 18.

Learn more and apply

Volunteer with the Community Service Board at Wichita Clean Streams

Join Wichita Clean Streams, Wichita RiverWalk Cleanup Crew and the Community Service Board for a morning of cleaning up the area around the Arkansas and Little Arkansas River from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 21.

Gloves, trash bags and materials will be provided. Volunteers will meet at a location determined before the event. Volunteers will be given exact location of event via email before the event. Sign up on Volunteer ICT.