Author: Caelin Bragg

Wichita State defeated seven top-20 ranked teams and rattled off eight consecutive wins on its way to a runner-up finish at Destination Orlando, the first regular season tournament of the season.

Aleesha Oden (230.8 average) and Sara Duque Jiménez (220.2) snagged spots on the All-Tournament team to lead Wichita State individually. Morgan Kline (195.0), Kendall Bollea (172.4) and Paige Wagner (172.2) rounded out the regular lineup for Holly Harris and the Shockers.

The Shockers fell, 4-1, to #1-ranked Jacksonville State in the best-of-seven final, capping off an undefeated weekend for the Gamecocks who went 11-0 in the Baker and traditional matches. Wichita State will carry an 11-2 record into next weekend’s Track Kat Klash at Emerald Bowl in Houston, beginning Friday, Oct. 31.

Join the first meeting of the WSU Faculty/Staff Club from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6 at Club 95 in Partnership Building 11. The event will feature the College of Health Professions, the College of Fine Arts and University Libraries with a rotating slide presentation. There will also be three live presentations starting at 4:30 p.m.:

• Dr. M’Lisa Sheldon will present on the state of access to care and rehabilitation for children in our local school districts.
• Ed Baker will present “Replace Fear of the Unknown With Curiosity,” centered on the power of curiosity to overcome fear and unlock human creativity and growth.
• Brent Mai will present “The Volga Germans of Kansas,” a niche group of ethnic Germans who spent 110 years living on the Russian steppe before migrating to the plains of Kansas in 1876 and who have had a significant impact on all things Kansan.

Come have fun and enjoy the company of your colleagues as well as some good music, food and drink.

Wichita State students can develop skills and help pay for college by participating in applied learning opportunities while working on their degree. Check out the Shocker Career Accelerator at wsu.news/SuccessTip11 to get started and find help landing an internship. Also talk with your professors for more potential opportunities.

Situated between the main campus and the Innovation Campus is WSU’s iconic Food Truck Plaza, featuring different local food trucks from Wichita for students to choose from, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Stop by for a surprise or check out wichita.edu/foodtruckplaza ahead of time to see what’s scheduled for the week.

Student Health Services has flu vaccines available for WSU students, faculty and staff. Cost is $25 plus administration fee but may be free with your health insurance benefits (all plans are different). Financial assistance for self-pay students may be available for the administration fee. Walk-in to the Student Wellness Center 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday for your flu vaccine before cold and flu season.

Student Health Services is also hosting two upcoming pop-up flu shot clinics:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the Woolsey Hall atrium
• 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 in the lobby of The Flats

Student Health Services has flu vaccines available for WSU students, faculty and staff. Cost is $25 plus administration fee but may be free with your health insurance benefits (all plans are different). Financial assistance for self-pay students may be available for the administration fee. Walk-in to the Student Wellness Center 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday for your flu vaccine before cold and flu season.

Student Health Services is also hosting two upcoming pop-up flu shot clinics:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the Woolsey Hall atrium
• 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 in the lobby of The Flats

Open Enrollment for 2026 closes at 11:59 p.m. today, Oct. 31. If you have not yet submitted your enrollment by that time, you will be enrolled in a default medical plan. Members who waived medical coverage in 2025 will continue to be waived in 2026 if they do not submit an enrollment.

Still need help making your 2026 election decision? Ask ALEX.

The Total Rewards team has created multiple instructional documents with images of the portal and step-by-step instructions! Get help with:

• Logging in/registering your account
• Adding a new dependent to coverage
• Making your online elections

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.

Open Enrollment for 2026 closes at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. If you have not yet submitted your enrollment by that time, you will be enrolled in a default medical plan. Members who waived medical coverage in 2025 will continue to be waived in 2026 if they do not submit an enrollment.

Still need help making your 2026 election decision? Ask ALEX.

The Total Rewards team has created multiple instructional documents with images of the portal and step-by-step instructions. Get help with:

• Logging in/registering your account
• Adding a new dependent to coverage
• Making your online elections

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.

2026 Benefits Open Enrollment is almost over. Log in to the Member Administration Portal at sehp.member.hrissuite.com to make your elections by Oct. 31.

All benefits-eligible state employees must make their 2026 elections by the deadline on Oct. 31. Employees enrolled in medical coverage who do not make a new election will be defaulted into medical Plan N with a use-it-or-lose-it HRA.

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.

2026 Benefits Open Enrollment is almost over. Log in to the Member Administration Portal at sehp.member.hrissuite.com to make your elections.

All benefits-eligible state employees must make their 2026 elections by the deadline on Oct. 31. Employees enrolled in medical coverage who do not make a new election will be defaulted into medical Plan N with a use-it-or-lose-it HRA.

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.