Author: Caelin Bragg

GoCreate is a workspace on campus for individuals to develop and create their own ideas and projects, and students with a Shocker ID get an automatic membership. From 3D printing and electronics to metal and woodworking, there’s something for everyone to flex their creative and maker muscles. Learn more at gocreate.com.

Sarah Varner spends her days interning at the Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel at Wichita State. For an aerospace engineering major, that time is one example of how the university’s applied learning opportunities are vital to starting a career. 

“Wichita State is unique in how many excellent opportunities engineering students have to get experience working while they pursue their degree,” she said. “It’s helpful to get relevant experience on one’s resume while in college.” 

Every degree at WSU offers applied learning or research opportunities. The salary Varner earns helps her navigate studies, work and financial necessities. 

Brianna Stephens returned to Wichita State this fall, boosted by the encouragement of her family and the Shocker Comeback Program. 

“Once my family realized I was a class short of graduating, they pushed me to go back and be the one to start a new tradition,” she said. “I will be the first person in my family to finish college.” 

Stephens, from Wichita, plans to finish her accounting degree and graduate in December. She first attended WSU in 2022 while working full time. The Shocker Comeback Program is designed to help students finish their degree program with personal support, financial aid, the Shocker Comeback Scholarship, success conversations and more. 

Periodically, information will be posted regarding Watermark’s Course Evaluations & Surveys (CES) tool to help users better understand Wichita State’s course evaluation tool.

Today’s focus is on accessing CES.

• While in Blackboard, instructors can access CES anytime by choosing “Tools” from the main menu and selecting “CES Course Evaluations.”  It can also be directly accessed via the links provided in emails sent to the instructor.
• Watermark Course Evaluations & Surveys Dashboard will appear.
• Widgets will appear on the dashboard.  When a task is available for a course, it will display information.  If not, it may state “No Project Found.”
• The “Manage Courses” Widget will only appear when that option is open and available to instructors.
• There is a dedicated CES website that includes additional information.

For questions, contact Sandra Ranney at evaluations@ces.wichita.edu.

This is once again an active enrollment, meaning that all covered state employees must participate, or be enrolled in a default plan. 

Upcoming events:

• 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24: SEHP’s final Open Enrollment presentation is online. Register to attend.
• Wednesday, Oct. 1: SEHP will begin opening enrollment portals throughout the day. All benefit-eligible employees should have access to their benefits open enrollment portal by close of business on Oct. 1.

Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. For additional information visit the Open Enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

The 55th anniversary remembrance ceremony of Memorial ’70 will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 at the memorial sculpture at the university entrance at Memorial Drive (18th Street) and Hillside. A reception will be held immediately following the ceremony in the lobby of Duerksen Fine Arts Center across from the memorial.

The ceremony will honor the 31 people – WSU football players, administrators, supporters and flight crew – who died in the crash in Colorado.

Other Memorial 70 tribute locations on campus include:

• 202 Rhatigan Student Center, Shocker 70, has Shocker memorabilia. There will be floral tribute and looping PowerPoint featuring those who died because of the plane crash.
• The Memorial ’70 display case on the Koch Arena concourse has pictures of the deceased and the certificate for the Wichita Sports Hall of Fame.

Those interested in making a tax-deductible contribution in memory of the crash victims can give to the Football ’70 Memorial Scholarship, the only endowed scholarship at WSU dedicated in collective memory to those who died in the tragedy.

The scholarship is awarded each year to a student of any major with at least a 3.0 GPA who demonstrates financial need. Contributions can be made through the WSU Foundation, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260-0002, for the Football ’70 Memorial Scholarship. Contributions also may be made online.

President Rick Muma was featured in “WSU President Rick Muma talks about his new book ‘Student Centered, Innovation Driven’” on KAKE.

Andrew Myers, director of scholarships and student services – Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College presented “We are all talking gibberish: Communicating with Gen Z Through the Advising Process” at 2025 Kansas Academic Advising Network annual conference Sept. 19, 2025.

Description: Andrew Myers, Director of Scholarships and Student Services in the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College, presented a paper for the Kansas Academic Advising Network (KAAN) annual conference held at Fort Hays State University on Sept. 19. His interactive presentation titled “We are all talking gibberish: Communicating with Gen Z Through the Advising Process” is based on a recent exploratory study of preferred communication among Generation Z students. It invited attendees to evaluate their communication methods and develop ideas for more effective communication. The Kansas Academic Advising Network supports academic advisors through the state of Kansas and serves as a communication network among institutions of higher education for the development of the academic advising profession.

Rhonda Williams, RN-BSN program coordinator and teaching professor in the Ascension Via Christi – Wichita State University School of Nursing, published “Transforming RN-Baccalaureate Education Using Insights From a National Faculty Needs Assessment” in Nurse Educator May 1.

Abstract: Background: The recent American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials revision emphasizes direct clinical experiences across 4 spheres of care in RN-Baccalaureate (RN-B) education, creating challenges for online, asynchronous programs. Differentiating between prelicensure and postlicensure education complicates the integration of these requirements. Understanding RN-B faculty needs is critical for curricular transformation. Purpose: This needs assessment examines challenges faced by RN-B faculty in integrating the AACN Essentials into nursing curricula and provides resources critical for the transition to them. Methods: A web-based needs assessment was conducted with RN-B faculty across the United States. It included a demographic questionnaire, 5 quantitative questions, and 3 qualitative items. Results: The assessment revealed a need for enhanced academic support, resources, communication, and collaboration to facilitate implementation. Conclusion: This article offers insights, recommendations, and resources for RN-B faculty engaged in curricular transformation, emphasizing targeted support for adopting the AACN Essentials. Keywords: NCLEX crosswalk; completion program for registered nurses; curricular change; educational pathway.

Rhonda Williams, RN-BSN program coordinator and teaching professor in the Ascension Via Christi – Wichita State University School of Nursing, published “National RN to Baccalaureate Faculty Forum. (2025). National RN-Baccalaureate Faculty Forum position statement. N. Heywood & R. Williams (Eds.)” in American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Essentials Curriculum Mapping Tools Aug. 1.

Abstract: The National RN-Baccalaureate Faculty Forum (NRFF) recognizes the significance of The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2021a). The Essentials document guides the concepts, domains, competencies, and spheres of care that RN to Baccalaureate (RN to B) programs must include in their curricula. The NRFF reaffirms that RN to B programs build upon the introductory knowledge, skills, and abilities that are verified through an earned diploma or associate degree in nursing from an accredited/state board-approved program, successful completion of NCLEXRN®, and subsequent RN licensure by a state board of nursing or other nursing regulatory body. The NRFF proposes that RN to B programs continue to reinforce, scaffold, and further develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities measured through the above three components while meeting all competencies outlined in the Essentials (AACN, 2021a).