An adult learner works on assignments while at home.

Wichita State wins $10,000 to ease adult learners’ transition into college

Wichita State University recently won a $10,000 prize in the inaugural Accelerate Pitch Competition that will help the university build on its success with Shocker Pre-Season programs by offering adult learners a chance to start the school year confident and connected.

WSU’s Office of Online and Adult Learning will use the prize from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU) to fund Shocker Pre-Season programs to ensure adult learners have a smooth transition into the university through an adult learner-specific summer bridge program.

“The data shows Shocker Pre-Season programs make a significant impact on student success,” said Brett Bruner, assistant vice president student success and persistence at Wichita State. “Our Shocker Pre-Season programs are events that prepare new Shockers for the academic year. We focus on building social and academic connections and building resource awareness.”

Badge program highlight: Diversity at Work

Wichita State’s badge program makes workforce training and continuing education accessible and affordable. Each badge is designed with the practicing professional in mind so coursework can be completed online and at your own pace.

The Diversity at Work series of badges offer essential information about diverse populations and best practices in providing opportunities for all employees. Badges included in this series are:

To register for a badge program, follow the admission/enrollment instructions. For additional assistance, fill out the badge form and a representative from WSU will contact you to assist you with the admission and enrollment process.

Aerial shot of Braeburn Square on WSU's Innovation Campus

Reminder: Grab a lunch at Braeburn Square on the Innovation Campus

Braeburn Square on the Innovation Campus hosts many dining options that are open to the entire Wichita community. Check them out for a place to grab lunch on campus over the summer:

And don’t forget to check out the NetApp Café inside the NetApp building on the Innovation Campus.

visitors and volunteers pose for photos at state athletics events on campus.

Volunteers help visitors around campus at state athletics events

Thank you to those who volunteered to help with the high school state baseball, softball and track events that took place on campus recently. There were more than 30,000 athletes, coaches and spectators in attendance. Volunteers gave over 5,000 people golf cart rides and distributed more than 3,000 bottles of water. Additionally, Wichita State Connect served as the recovery station where attendees could relax in lounge furniture, play yard games and enjoy the A/C between games and events.

Thank you again to all the volunteers for helping welcome these visitors to campus and providing a positive experience. Mark your calendars for next years events, May 30-31, 2025.

Kristyn Waits receives the Artemis Educator Award at NASA SUITS in Houston.

Kristyn Waits receives inaugural Artemis Educator Award at NASA SUITS Test Week

Kristyn Waits, faculty member in the College of Innovation and Design and assistant director of the Open XR Lab, recently received the inaugural Artemis Educator Award during the NASA SUITS Test Week May 19-25 in Houston.

The award recognizes educators who go above and beyond to inspire, motivate and elevate their students to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

You can read more about the NASA SUITS Test Week earlier this month and learn more about CosmoShox on its website.

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

Jeremy Kohn, ChFC, TIAA financial consultant, will be available for in-person meetings at Wichita State June 4 and 5. At these meetings, Jeremy can help you confirm that you are on track for retirement and provide specific investment recommendations for your TIAA accounts.

If you are interested in meeting with Jeremy, schedule a time to meet, and have your TIAA login credentials handy. If you need scheduling assistance, you can call the TIAA scheduling team at 800-732-8353.

If you are not able to schedule a meeting with Jeremy because appointments have filled and you do not see a virtual option with Jeremy on another day, you can email Jeremy directly at jeremy.kohn@tiaa.org to schedule another appointment and his team will assist you.

Attend retirement reception for Werner Golling June 21

Celebrate Vice President for Finance and Administration Werner Golling’s time at Wichita State at a retirement reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, June 21 in 301 Rhatigan Student Center, Gridley Room. Remarks are at 2:30 p.m.

Werner, who announced his plans to retire earlier this year, has been with Wichita State for over seven years. Come wish him well on his retirement as he moves on to this next chapter of his life.

Wichita State featured in case study from the Brookings Institution

Wichita State plays a pivotal role in advancing aerospace research and economic resiliency in southern Kansas, which was highlighted in a case study from the Brookings Institution. From spearheading workforce development initiatives to driving technology adoption among small and midsized manufacturers, WSU’s collaborative efforts, including those through WSU Tech and NIAR, are shaping the future of the region.

Marissa Jensen, WSU high jumper, celebrates with Steve Rainbolt, director or track and field, during a competition

Wichita State high jumper manages her time to excel in the classroom

Wichita State University graduate student and high jumper Marissa Jensen loves staying busy, so she starts her days at 4 a.m.

She works as a coach at a cross-fit gym from 5 to 7 a.m. Then it is time for class and studies. Track and field practices takes up her afternoons.

Select Wichita State websites will be temporarily unavailable for scheduled maintenance May 23

Some WordPress websites hosted by Wichita State University will be temporarily unavailable for scheduled maintenance starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 23.

These websites, including those for the Shocker Blast newsletter, will be inaccessible while the server’s operating system is upgraded. These updates are substantial and could require up to four hours to complete.

The websites that will be unavailable while the updates are being made include, but are not limited to:

  • news.wichita.edu
  • ulrich.wichita.edu
  • wichitastate.tv
  • learn.wichita.edu
  • police.wichita.edu
  • openrecords.wichita.edu
  • airlinequalityrating.wichita.edu
  • badges.wichita.edu
  • eoc.wichita.edu
  • itstraining.wichita.edu
  • kcee.wichita.edu
  • kfbf.wichita.edu
  • ksarn.org
  • nasainkansas.org
  • realestate.wichita.edu
  • servicelearning.wichita.edu
  • shockeripe.org
  • somos.wichita.edu
  • digiproj.wichita.edu
  • wsubridges.org
  • suspenders4hope.com

As noted previously, the Shocker Blast newsletter will be inaccessible during the scheduled time, which includes submitting items to the newsletters. Shocker Blast questions or submissions can be sent to Caelin Bragg, newsletter editor, at caelin.bragg@wichita.edu.

For more information or questions on the scheduled maintenance, reach out to ITS at helpdesk@wichita.edu or 316-978-4357.