Author: Caelin Bragg

As a first-generation student, Marco Villela had to learn his way around the college life, from enrollment to moving to a new city, but he was able to persist and earn his bachelor’s degree, with plans to continue his education by pursuing a Master of Arts in criminal justice at Wichita State University.

Om Hitendra Mahajan’s goal is to continue his education in sport management as he prepares to revolutionize sports and sports careers in his home country of India. He is getting his start working with professors and mentors at Wichita State University.

Wichita State’s affordability and location brought Jordan Cline to campus. He will use his major in criminal justice to attend graduate school.

Desmond Cockrell, from Tulsa, advises fellow Shockers to take advantage of people on campus who offer advising, counseling and career help. He is the first of four siblings to earn a bachelor’s degree and hopes his story can encourage others to succeed in college.

Mark your calendars to join the May Academic Resources Conference (ARC), May 20-24.

WSU’s move to Blackboard Ultra is a large focus of the conference, but you will also find valuable information about AI, Microsoft tools, OER options, syllabus review and more.

Visit the May 2024 ARC webpage to see session descriptions and add sessions to your calendar and find a downloadable PDF schedule.

Lyndsay Pletcher has been promoted to the executive director of budget in the Division of Finance and Administration.

Lyndsay currently serves as senior budget analyst in the division, where she’s been since 2021. She previously served in the Human Resources Office as an operations lead and generalist from 2016 to 2021.

A search was conducted for the position earlier this year. Lyndsay brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise to the role.

Micheal Sengvilay always wanted to help people, which is why he came to Wichita State University to pursue a career in oral health. While at WSU, he persevered through challenges and is now graduating with his bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and plans to attend dental school.

Kansas WISE invites faculty and staff to its upcoming May event as well as a series of group mentoring sessions to take place in May and through the summer. Registration is free and open to all State of Kansas Employees.

• May 14: Understanding the Eight Dimensions of Well-Being. During this virtual one-hour course, explore how to become your best self through honest self-reflections and the understanding of well-being.
• May-August: Group Mentoring. A unique professional development experience tailored for women in state employment. Join a group mentoring session where you can support one another in your professional and personal growth through the sharing of experiences, knowledge and resources. Sessions will feature guest mentors.

Go to the HR professional development website (wichita.edu/hrprofessionaldevelopment) to learn more and register.

5A state baseball and softball will be held on Wichita State’s campus May 23-24 and state track May 24-25. Last year, these activities brought more than 30,000 people to campus. The university is asking for help from the campus community to drive golf carts and staff tents during these events.

Tents will be set up in various locations around campus May 24 and 25. Individuals staffing tents will welcome people to campus, offer water, hand out brochures and promotional items and answer questions visitors may have.

Golf cart rides will be offered May 24 and 25. Drivers will provide visitors rides to their destinations on campus.

If you are interested in working these events, sign up online. There are three tabs at the bottom of the sheet: one to sign up as a tent worker, one to sign up as a golf cart driver and one to include your sign up information. Volunteers signed up by May 13 will receive a T-shirt to be worn during the events. Please indicate your preferred T-shirt size and include your email address on the third tab of the sign up. Detailed information will be sent the week of May 20 to those signed up to help.

These events would not be successful without the support of our Shocker family, and we sincerely appreciate your help in creating a welcoming campus for our guests.

The military brought Morgan Campbell and her family to Wichita, and she decided to make it her home. She has earned a master’s degree in social work, and she plans “to promote safety, growth and opportunities” for families in her practice.