Students riding a cart at Shocktoberfest

Wichita State is holding a parade next month and is inviting anyone in the community to join in.

Starting at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 on the WSU campus, the parade is part of the university’s annual Shocktoberfest celebration.

The parade will launch just east of the John Bardo Center on WSU’s Innovation Campus and will end at Braeburn Square. Immediately after the parade, the Shocktoberfest Patio Party will be held in Braeburn Square, and all are invited to attend.

Parade winners will be announced at the Patio Party, which will include live music from The Source, giveaways and special offers from Braeburn Square restaurants. Bring your own chair or grab a spot on the patio for this casual and fun-filled gathering.

The parade and party are hosted by WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement and the Division of Student Affairs.  

Anyone with questions can contact Amber Duncan at 316-978-5483 or amber.duncan@wichita.edu; or Stacie Williamson at 316-978-3834 or stacie.williamson@wichita.edu.

President Rick Muma and Jacob O'Connor talk in the Real Conversations podcast studio

President Rick Muma joined Jacob O’Connor on the latest episode of the “Real Conversations” podcast. They discussed a variety of topics from the future of Wichita State to President Muma’s personal workout routine.

Listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Wichita State Athletics announced plans to add women’s bowling as a NCAA Division I sport competing in 2024-25. Women’s bowling will become the 16th sport at Wichita State, launching July 1, 2024. Current women’s bowling coach Holly Harris will serve as the program’s first NCAA Division I women’s head coach.

The history in the State of Kansas as well as the city of Wichita is rich with Hispanic culture.

As Hispanic-Service Institutions Week closes and Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off, join a community celebration of Latinfest from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 in Old Town. The event will feature music, food, art and talent highlighting the cultures of Latin America.

At Wichita State, 2021 data shows that 7% of faculty and staff identity as Hispanic/Latino. Of this information, there are two full tenure Latina/o professors.

As WSU continues to grow, the campus is excited to introduce the first Latine employee resource group. Join the WSU Latine Faculty and Staff Association for a come and go reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday Sept. 15 in the Cadman Art Gallery.

The gallery will feature the history of Latinos in the Wichita area as well as those who have made their mark at WSU. In addition, the gallery will feature art from the Ulrich showcasing Latino artist in their collection.

Kansas had the 27th largest Latino population in the United States. Currently, 19% of the K-12 population in Kansas is Latino and in Wichita, USD259 reports the Hispanic/Latino population is 37%.

Join Dr. Teri Hall, vice president for Student Affairs; Dr. Brett Bruner, assistant vice president for Student Success & Persistence; Dr. Bobby Berry, assistant dean for Diversity and Outreach for the College of Applied Studies; Aaron Hamilton, OneStop; and Dr. Sara Mata, executive director of Hispanic Serving Initiatives, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 14 in 266 Rhatigan Student Center, Pike Room for a deeper dive into the data and numbers related to Wichita State’s journey of becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution.

In Kansas in 2021, 16% of Hispanics (ages 18 to 34) were enrolled in higher education, compared to 23% of White non-Hispanics. In addition, 23% of Hispanic adults (25 and older) had earned an associate degree or higher, compared to 47% of White non-Hispanic adults.

The importance of becoming an HSI is strengthening the support for how to serve not only Hispanic students, but every student at WSU, from recruiting, to retaining and ultimately graduating.

Join a brown bag lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room to get an overview of Hispanic Serving Institutions.

In support of HACU-Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, Wichita State recognizes Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Week, observed by colleges and universities across the nation.

As an emerging HSI, with a current percentage of 17% of students that identify as Latinx/Hispanic, WSU plays an important role of improving access to education and advancing equity for traditionally underserved students.

Interested in learning more about what is an HSI? Join a brown bag lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room to get an overview of Hispanic Serving Institutions.

Still from Alison's "Stories4Hope" video and the text. Be a Suspenders4Hope Mental Health Advocate. 3. Be visible, vocal and vulnerable by sharing your story

Step three for students to become Suspenders4Hope mental health advocates is for them to share their stories, like Alison has for fellow students, and be visible, vocal and vulnerable.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will feature one step a day for the following two weeks on how to be a mental health advocate. Stay tuned for the next steps.

Still from John Kirk's "Stories4Hope" video and the text. Be a Suspenders4Hope Mental Health Advocate. 3. Be visible, vocal and vulnerable by sharing your story

Step three for faculty and staff to become Suspenders4Hope mental health advocates is for them to share their stories, like John Kirk has for his fellow students, and be visible, vocal and vulnerable.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will feature one step a day for the following two weeks on how to be a mental health advocate. Stay tuned for the next steps.