Author: Caelin Bragg

WSU Tech President and Vice President of Workforce Development at Wichita State University Dr. Sheree Utash testified before the U.S. Senate’s Commerce Committee on Aviation on Thursday about the growth of the aviation industry and the increasing demand for highly skilled aviation workers. 

The committee, which includes U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran from Kansas, held a hearing titled “Strengthening the Aviation Workforce” to “examine challenges facing the aviation workforce and identify solutions for improving the education, recruitment, hiring, training and retention of workers in the aviation industry and at the Federal Aviation Administration.” The hearing also examined “opportunities to increase representation in and promote awareness of aviation careers,” according to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation website. 

Lindquist Hall will be without water Saturday, March 18 for repairs. The water will shut off in the morning and is expected to be back by the end of the day.

Stay up to date with events happening on the Wichita State campus by visiting the WSU calendar to see what’s happening today, this week and beyond. You can search by event category as well.

You can also add your own public events to the calendar.

Wichita State has released its 2022 annual report detailing progress on university strategic goals throughout the 2022 academic year.

Here are some of the highlights:

• WSU launched Shocker Promise in the 2021-22 academic year, a four-year scholarship program for Sedgwick County and Shocker Neighborhood high school graduates, that pays for any remaining college costs not covered by Pell Grants, and paid out over $150,000 to students over the year.
• Funding for academic research is up to $180 million from the previous year’s $150 million. And non-athletic scholarships awarded is up to nearly $21 million, up from $19 million.

2022 electronic W-2s are now available in the State of Kansas Employee Self-Service Portal (ESS) for State of Kansas employees.

Employees are encouraged to consent to receive W-2s electronically. Instructions for completing the consent are detailed by clicking this link.

If you experience issues when trying to complete your W-2 consent, try a different web browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.

For assistance with the State of Kansas Employee Self-Service Portal passwords, please call the State of Kansas Help Desk at 785-296-1900 or 866-999-3001.

For employees receiving a printed W-2, the form will be printed and mailed by the end of January 2023. 

Wichita State was recently featured in “SEM in Action: Implementing and Sustaining Your Plan,” a guide on how to employ strategic enrollment management (SEM).

WSU faculty, staff and admin wrote a case study about the university’s implementation of SEM. The authors of the case study include President Rick Muma; Gina Crabtree, university registrar and director of enrollment services; Dr. Carolyn Shaw, professor of political science; Sheelu Surender, executive director of financial aid and scholarships; and Dr. David Wright, chief data officer.

The U.S. Army has awarded Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) a $100 million contract to advance and modernize the army’s ground transportation fleet.

The five-year Modernization of Integrated Technology for Ground Systems (MINT-GS) award comes from the Materials Division, Advanced Manufacturing of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) at Detroit Arsenal, Michigan.

The mission of the MINT-GS program is to develop innovative tools, methodologies and qualification framework for advanced manufacturing processes and materials, allowing for the modernization and sustainment of ground vehicle and ground vehicle components. It supports GVSC’s mission to provide the warfighter with enhanced capabilities and to ensure readiness.

This time of the semester often brings increased stress and sickness. Luckily, Student Health Services, Counseling and Prevention Services, and Campus Recreation offer many opportunities for you to relax and create or maintain a balanced lifestyle. The following are resources to help you develop balance:

• CAPS (Counseling and Prevention Services)
• Student Health
• Campus Recreation

Enjoy being creative? If the answer is “yes,” enter the Edible Book Festival from WSU Libraries. Participants will get to create a culinary masterpiece based on their favorite literature.

The event will start at 11 a.m. Monday, April 3 on the first floor of the Ablah Library. The deadline to sign up is Friday, March 31.

Win prizes from Shocker Athletics, Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes, AMC Theater, Doo Dah Diner, and more.

Women of Wichita State University (WWSU) is accepting applications for its 2023-24 academic year scholarship.

Preference for the scholarship will be given to enrolled undergraduate or graduate women with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Recipients must be enrolled full-time or part-time in the semesters the receive the scholarship and will be given in regard to financial need. Applications are due by Saturday, April 15.

WWSU was formed in fall 2018 by the combination of the WSU Women’s Association, founded in 1928, and the Council of University Women, founded in 1930. The purpose of the group is to serve the interests of the university, provide student scholarships, and promote social interaction and a sense of community among its members.