Author: Caelin Bragg

TRIO Student Support Services is looking for new part-time peer tutors for the fall 2024 semester. The following subject areas are currently looking for tutors:

• Accounting
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Economics
• Engineering
• Math
• Physics

Faculty and staff who know of any students who would be interested or know students who would be good candidates for the position can refer them to the application. Applications may be submitted online under the “Employment” section on the TRIO Student Support Services website.

For more information about TRIO Student Support Services, visit its webpage above, email trio.sss@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3715.

Faculty and staff from the Department of Physics were recognized as the next recipient of Rick Rewards on May 8. The department was honored for the innovative research it is conducting, including recent grants from NASA, one for over $100,000 for future moon/Mars missions and one for $2 million to study the sun; the recently revitalized Doctor of Philosophy in applied mathematics, physics track, program; and its work bringing the campus community together during the April 2024 solar eclipse.

Rick Rewards is awarded each month by President Rick Muma to show his appreciation for the efforts of the campus community.

Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday, May 8 to celebrate the start of Phase One construction on the new Wichita Biomedical Campus, a $300 million, 471,000-square-foot joint health sciences center in the heart of downtown Wichita.

The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a joint project between Wichita State University and the University of Kansas. Once complete, the campus will combine WSU’s College of Health Professions programs, including its Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, WSU Tech’s health care program and the Wichita campuses of KU School of Medicine and KU School of Pharmacy — all into one location.

“The Wichita Biomedical Campus is a tangible expression of our dedication to advancing health care through collaboration and innovation,” said President Rick Muma. “By bringing together researchers, health care professionals and industry leaders, we’re creating an environment where groundbreaking discoveries can thrive and where collaboration sparks innovation. This campus will be at the forefront of transforming health care, ultimately improving the lives of countless individuals.”

Hello, Shockers. On behalf of all of us at Wichita State University, I extend our warmest congratulations for your achievements. Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this moment, and we couldn’t be prouder.

As you step into the world, know that all of us at Wichita State stand firmly behind you, to support you and champion your ambitions as you become the leaders of tomorrow.

Join Wichita State for our spring 2024 commencement ceremonies, held on Saturday, May 11 in Charles Koch Arena.

The May Academic Resources Conference (ARC) is around the corner (May 20-24). ARC is a free, week-long training event open to all instructors and GTAs, as well as all interested staff, and does not require registration.

Most days are online only, but this year there is something special: Thursday, May 23, the Office of Instructional Resources (OIR) will offer a full suite of in-person programming, most of which will also be available online as hybrid/online sessions. Here’s what to expect:

• Snacks, coffee, etc. will be served throughout the day in Wichita State Connect, conveniently located just east of the Media Resources Center next to a parking lot.
• At 9 and 10 a.m., Brett Bruner, Sara Mata and John Hammond will speak on student success topics, in-person and live-streamed.
• At 11 a.m., Carolyn Speer will speak on myths about teaching and learning, in-person and live-streamed.
• Ali Levine will speak about using forms in PowerPoint. This will be online and streamed to one of the rooms in Wichita State Connect so anyone who wants to come to the in-person events can see her.
• From 1 to 2:30 p.m., there will be an in-person only event. This will be a workshop where faculty can improve syllabi to support student belonging. The workshop is with Brett Bruner, Sara Mata and John Hammond. Bring your syllabi and a willingness to consider some changes.
• From 2-3 p.m., OIR will also offer in-person lab times. This is a frequently-requested service that OIR can only offer occasionally because of staffing. Mary Morriss, Heather Merchant, Rachel Bastian, Carolyn Speer and John P. Jones will be on hand to help and answer questions, so bring your Ultra stumpers and get them solved.
• At 2:45 p.m., Carolyn Speer will offer a short mindfulness meditation session. This will once again be hybrid, with the session itself being held in-person in Wichita State Connect. 
• There will also be WSU and vendor swag for in-person attendees.

For locations for the May 23 in-person events — and the full week’s calendar — go to https://www.wichita.edu/services/mrc/OIR/ARC/2024/may.php.

OIR hopes to see everyone attend in-person, and if the event is a success, there will be more in-person programming in August. To help OIR plan, if you think you can attend in-person, send OIR an email at OIR@wichita.edu.

Wichita State’s W. Frank Barton School of Business offers the largest selection of AACSB-accredited programs in Kansas. Bari Syed chose WSU for its Master of Accountancy program because of that status.

As humanity begins to return to the moon and farther beyond, new technologies will need to be invented to assist in sustainable, long-term human-helmed missions. To help develop this technology, NASA has awarded a $133,342 grant to Wichita State University to research a more cost-effective detector for harmful radiation from space.

The grant is part of a nearly $1.5 million program that is funding 24 projects across 21 organizations and institutions. Awardees will also work with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama as part of the grant.

Join President Rick Muma in a conversation with outgoing Student Government Association President Iris Okere. Iris is graduating May 11 with a degree in marketing and minors in management and Spanish. Iris will discuss her experiences as a Shocker and future plans.

Watch the episode online or listen on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts or Apple Podcasts (iTunes).

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Taylor Wallace, a first-generation student from Oklahoma, considers Wichita State home. She enjoys the sights and social life in Wichita and will continue her education at WSU to earn a master’s degree.

When Reid Williams decided he wanted to become a physician associate, he set his sights on Wichita State University. He said the rigorous program was challenging, but “100% worth it.”