Author: Caelin Bragg

Dear Shocker faculty and staff:

Welcome back to Wichita State! I hope you had a restful and rejuvenating winter break. As we step into a new year filled with opportunities, I want to take a moment to thank you for the passion and dedication you bring to our students and our university. Together, we continue to make Wichita State a place where innovation and excellence thrive.

I’m also excited to introduce Dr. Monica Lounsbery as our new provost and executive vice president. Dr. Lounsbery brings a wealth of experience and a strong vision for academic excellence. You’ll be able to find her in 109 Morrison Hall, and she can be reached at monica.lounsbery@wichita.edu or 316-978-3010. I encourage you to stop by, send her a note or say hello if you see her around campus. You can hear from her further down in this newsletter.

To formally welcome Dr. Lounsbery, we will be hosting a meet-and-greet event at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room. I hope you’ll join us! Make sure to RSVP by Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Thank you for all you do to support our students and community. Let’s make this semester one to remember.

Go Shockers!
President Rick Muma

Wichita State will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Full-semester courses will begin Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Wichita State has more to offer than just your classes. Find your community of likeminded students.

Student organizations – Enhance your education by developing teamwork and leadership skills by joining one of the over 200 student organizations on campus or start your own.

Greek Life – Immerse yourself with Fraternity and Sorority Life and find lifelong friends while making a difference in your community through philanthropy.

Student Government Association – By joining the Student Government Association, you can be a leader on campus and make the needs of your peers heard and represented. All Student Senate meetings are open to the public and held every Wednesday in 233 RSC.

Make sure you know where to find WSU’s numerous resources available to you to ensure your time spent in academe is fruitful and supported:

• Shocker Success Center – Visit the Shocker Success Center right next to the RSC to find a hub for most of the resources you’ll need as a Shocker, including the Shocker Learning Center, or as a place to relax and study between classes.
• Dining – Wichita State has many dining options for you to choose from, including Shocker Dining Hall in Shocker Hall; the RSC food court; and Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes. And over on the Innovation Campus, stop by the NetApp Café or Cargill Café, and plan an outing to Braeburn Square for tacos, subs, Mediterranean and more.
• Wellness – Student Health Services serves all students and treats your medical needs. Visit studenthealth.wichita.edu to learn more and schedule an appointment. Counseling and Psychological Services offers mental health resources to all Shockers through its Counseling Services and HOPE Services.

Take a break from syllabi reviews and enjoy the many events happening this week to ease you into the spring semester:

• Welcome tables – Visit the RSC from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 21 and 22 to learn about all the resources available to you and to have your questions answered.
• Hot Cocoa with the Colleges – Enjoy a warm, cozy beverage from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 21 and 22. View the locations of each college.
• Student Senate – Want to learn more about the decisions that can affect your academic journey? Attend the first Student Government Association meeting of the semester at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 in 233 RSC, Santa Fe Trail Room.
• PAWS & Relax – Everyone knows how stressful starting a new semester can be, so help alleviate that stress in the company of therapy dogs from 10 a.m. to noon, Friday, Jan. 24 in Ablah Library.
• Free billiards – Looking for something more recreational? Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes in the basement of the RSC is offering free billiards from noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 24. The event is part of the RSC’s weekly Friday Escape activities.
• Winter Welcome – Have fun with your friends with ice skating and other winter activities from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 24 at the President’s Residence.
• Women’s basketball – Did you know you get in free to all home athletics games with your Shocker ID? Learn what all the hype with Shocker Athletics is about and support your fellow students at the women’s basketball game against UAB at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 in Charles Koch Arena.

Wanting more? Check out more events happening now through February with the Welcomefest series of events: wichita.edu/welcomefest.

Hello Shockers! I’m Monica Lounsbery, your new provost starting this semester. You may be wondering what a provost does, and to summarize it into one sentence: A provost is here to support your academic careers at the highest level.

I’m still learning the ins and outs of Shocker Nation, so I look forward to you all teaching me what it means to be a Shocker as we get to know each other. The Provost’s Office in 109 Morrison Hall is here to welcome you and help you thrive and succeed!

Go Shockers!
Monica

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 special deals on campus, maintenance and construction updates, events with your peers, important deadlines and more.

Due to the inclement weather, classes will be held remotely Tuesday, Jan. 21. If you have questions regarding your classes today, please reach out to your instructor.

The rest of this edition is your guide to starting your spring 2025 semester off strong.

Cynorra Jackson, manager of Library Access Services, was interviewed by KSN about her eight years of service in the Air Force. Jackson discussed her responsibilities in the Air Force in helping her other services members and how she made it to Wichita.

Hear more from her in the feature, “Air Force veteran who ‘hates’ flying fell in love with the Air Capital.”

Dr. Stanley Longhofer, Stephen L. Clark Chair of Real Estate and Finance in the Barton School of Business and director of the Center for Real Estate, recently spoke to U.S. News and World Report to discuss the current financial struggles for people in their 20s.

Read more of Dr. Longhofer’s expertise in the article, “These Are the Biggest Financial Hurdles for 20-Somethings – Here’s How to Navigate Them.”

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 special deals on campus, maintenance and construction updates, events with your peers, important deadlines and more.

Stay tuned for the Jan. 21 edition for everything you need to know about campus to succeed.

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