Author: Caelin Bragg

Shocker Nation would like to wish Dr. Linnea GlenMaye a happy retirement after her 27 years of service to the university and community, 14 of which were as the associate vice president for Academic Affairs.

The Strategic Planning Committee is working to reimagine Wichita State’s Strategic Plan, including refining our core and distinctive values as one set of guiding values. These values serve as the foundation for our decisions, priorities and culture as a university community. Please fill out the Strategic Plan survey at wichita.edu/values by the end of the day Sept. 19 and help shape the next five years.

For those who aren’t able to attend in person, you can watch the livestream of the 2025 Fall Address later today starting at 2:30 p.m., where President Rick Muma, Provost Monica Lounsbery, Kevin Saal, Jenn Friend, Ashlie Jack, Chris Stone and Jacob Mendez will outline key focus areas for the coming year.

You’re reading Shocker Blast, Wichita State’s newsletter made just for students. Shocker Blast gives you regular updates about Shocker Nation every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, sent directly to your official student email.

We know no one likes to read emails — but there’s a lot of information in Shocker Blast that’s useful to you as a student, like all your Shocker resources, special deals on campus, events with your peers, important deadlines and more.

Stay tuned for the Aug. 18 edition for everything you need to know to start your semester off on the right foot. And keep an eye out for all of the Welcomefest events happening this semester.

For more information about Shocker Blast, reach out to Caelin Bragg, newsletter editor in the Office of Strategic Communications, at caelin.bragg@wichita.edu.

Gabey Norris grew up watching her father work as a K-9 unit officer for Saline County in central Kansas. That upbringing sparked her interest in law enforcement and led her to Wichita State. 

“I love listening to my father tell his stories from work,” she said. “I have always been intrigued by investigations and all kinds of murder mystery shows. My biggest motivation is being able to help the public and bring closure to families who have lost a loved one or had one injured.” 

Gain a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system with the Introduction to Criminal Justice series of Badges at Wichita State. This Badge series, designed for full-time professionals, covers law enforcement, the courts, corrections and juvenile justice.

Wichita State has been a national leader in creating a standard for microcredentials, allowing employers to be confident that meaningful learning has occurred, so you can confidently list a badge you’ve earned from WSU on your resume.

To learn more about Badges, including how to enroll for the fall 2025 semester, visit wichita.edu/badges.

Professionals looking to boost their skillsets can enroll in one or many of the Badge courses offered at Wichita State. These badges can not only teach you new skills, but also enhance your current knowledge base.

One such series of Badges is the Creative Interventions series, which offers a broad overview of creative, ethical and mindfulness-based approaches to practice, designed to support those working in social work, counseling, education and related areas.

Badges are bite-sized, one credit hour or less courses designed to work within the working professional’s schedule. They can be taken at your own pace and use Open Educational Resources, meaning you don’t need to pay for a textbook.

To learn more about Badges, including how to enroll for the fall 2025 semester, visit wichita.edu/badges.

Wichita State has been a leader in creating a standard for microcredentials, allowing employers to be confident that meaningful learning has occurred when you list the badge on your resume. Badges are developed with input from employers, government licensing agencies, trade associations and faculty.

Professionals looking to boost their skillsets can enroll in one or many of the Badge courses offered at Wichita State. These badges can not only teach you new skills, but also enhance your current knowledge base.

One such series of Badges is the Creative Interventions series, which offers a broad overview of creative, ethical and mindfulness-based approaches to practice, designed to support those working in social work, counseling, education and related areas.

Badges are bite-sized, one credit hour or less courses designed to work within the working professional’s schedule. They can be taken at your own pace and use Open Educational Resources, meaning you don’t need to pay for a textbook.

To learn more about Badges, including how to enroll for the fall 2025 semester, visit wichita.edu/badges. And employees at Wichita State can apply for Tuition Assistance to cover the cost of Badges. The final application window for Tuition Assistance closes Aug. 4.

Wichita State has been a leader in creating a standard for microcredentials, allowing employers to be confident that meaningful learning has occurred when you list the badge on your resume. Badges are developed with input from employers, government licensing agencies, trade associations and faculty.

Competing in its first organized event under head coach Amy Pollard-Yarberry, the Shocker dance squad put together an excellent performance at the 2025 National Dance Association (NDA) Dance Camp

As a team, the Shockers put together two first-place finishes, coming in first in the Division I Game Day Run Off competition and first in Division I Pro Team Dance. For its performance, the team earned a gold bid to NDA Nationals and a spirit stick.

The Shockers earned spots on the NDA All-American team, with Abby Allen, Audrey Menzies and Claire Baker all earning All-American honors.

Wichita loves nothing more than a good basketball reason to fill up Charles Koch Arena. This summer, the AfterShocks gave people six good reasons, and fans responded in increasing numbers all the way to confetti and a championship trophy.

On Sunday, the AfterShocks won The Basketball Tournament with an 82-67 victory over Eberlein Drive in front of 9,029 revved-up fans. The team will divide the TBT prize of $1 million.

Attendance in Koch Arena helped the AfterShocks secure home games throughout TBT.

“I feel really lucky we were able to play in front of that crowd, especially in a basketball game in August,” guard Conner Frankamp told reporters. “They’re so loud, it’s amazing in there.”