Author: Caelin Bragg

Ashlynn Farney took time off college during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which she returned to Wichita, changed her major to filmmaking and started attending Wichita State. She will graduate with her Bachelor of Applied Arts with a concentration in filmmaking in December.

Ashlynn is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Avery Pierce loves Wichita’s coffee scene and the applied learning in the sport management program at Wichita State University. She is assistant director of communication for WSU’s varsity Esports program.

Avery is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Ana Alicia Casados encourages her peers to stop and take time for themselves, to not get swept away in their responsibilities, and to always remember why they chose to go to college. She has been able to succeed in college herself by following this advice and will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in exercise science.

Ana is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Share a few laughs with President Rick Muma and First Gentleman Rick Case as they share their holiday greeting with Shocker Nation.

Classroom technology training sessions begin Monday, Jan. 8. Choose between master classroom or gray media box training. No appointment is required.

Tyler Lefebvre enjoys Wichita’s diverse dining scene and the activities and clubs offered at Wichita State University. Tyler has been involved with the Wichita State’s varsity esports program as a team member and helping organize and manage the team.

Tyler is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Nicolas Olmedo studied economics in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and will start work at Textron Aviation in January in the sales development program.

Nicolas is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

To help faculty and staff plan their time off and work schedules throughout the year, Wichita State shares the winter closedown period schedule that has been approved for this year.

The closedown will commence at the end of the day on Dec. 18, 2023, and WSU will reopen the morning of Jan. 2, 2024. The closedown is 10 days, two of which are paid holidays and four are paid days so you will not be required to use accrued leave for those six days. Classes will not be in session during this period.

Employees who would normally be scheduled to work the days may use accumulated vacation leave or their 2023 discretionary day* during the winter closedown. Non-exempt employees can also use accumulated compensatory time off during the winter closedown.

If your role requires you to work during the winter closedown it must be approved in advance by your immediate supervisor. For those that are required to work during the winter closedown, we appreciate your dedication and service to the university.

Schedule of winter closedown:

• Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023
• Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023
• Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023
• Friday, Dec. 22, 2023
• Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 (Paid Holiday)
• Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Monday Jan. 1, 2024 (Paid Holiday)

An employee must be in pay status the entire workday before and the entire workday after state holidays to receive holiday pay. The official state holidays are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Please refer to these frequently asked questions for more information on your leave days and what to do if you work during the winter closedown.

*The discretionary day for 2023 must be used on or before Dec. 23, 2023.

Mariann Kurosu worked as a graduate research assistant for the Center for Real Estate while working towards her master’s in economics and quantitative analysis, which she will graduate with this December. She encourages her classmates to embrace the opportunity to learn and build their critical thinking skills and network by getting to know their peers.

Mariann is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.

Maame Adwoa Ankrah was interested in going to Wichita State for its affordability and for the atmosphere of the city of Wichita. While it was first a challenge to adjust to a new culture, she was able to succeed with the support of her peers and mentors and will graduate with her master’s degree in Spanish with no regrets.

Maame is one of more than 1,400 students eligible for fall 2023 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what’s next for the grad.