Author: Caelin Bragg

Wichita State is one of the recipients of a renewed $20 million grant as part of the AI Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning (IFML), of which WSU is a founding member.

The grant will be awarded to the IFML institutions over the next five years and is used to support the development of more advanced generative AI that is open-sourced, which enables broader adoption and fosters innovation across a wide range of fields.

Dr. Kaushik Sinha, associate professor of computing in the College of Engineering, is the principal investigator for Wichita State’s $1.27 million share of the grant, which will be used to continue Sinha’s research and fund graduate students and support workforce development.

Wichita State’s College of Engineering is expanding student innovation and applied learning opportunities through a new state-funded partnership with Groover Labs, a downtown Wichita makerspace and official WSU partner.

On July 15, the Kansas Department of Commerce named Groover Labs one of two recipients of the Accelerating Concept to Commercialization in Kansas (ACCEL-KS) grant. Groover Labs and KU Innovation Park in Lawrence will share $800,000 to support at least 32 early-stage commercialization projects across the state.

James Wright’s work in the Environmental Test Lab for the National Institute for Aviation Research includes measuring salt spray fallout, welding and CAD modeling. 

Through each day of his paid internship, one benefit stands out – problem solving. Wright, a Wichita State University senior majoring in aerospace engineering, is from Joplin, Missouri, and works as a mechanical student assistant at NIAR. 

“It’s a lot of problem solving,” he said. “I think that it’s vital to learn how to operate in this sort of environment while you’re at school, so that once you make it into the workforce you’re comfortable learning things the hard way and clawing your way up when you’re in a new and unfamiliar situation.” 

Wichita State’s Lifelong Learning program has released its fall 2025 classes, designed and free for individuals aged 60 and above.

Classes are available both online at your own pace or in person from 1-3 p.m. at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, however only a limited number of seats are available for those who sign up for in-person classes, so register soon. Deadline for registering is Sept. 10.

The following classes are being offered for fall 2025:

• Asian American History
• Geological Wonders of the 50 States
• Modern Ireland: From Imperialism to Peace
• Generative AI: Promises and Perils
• Shakespeare
• Talkin’ ’bout my (and your) Generation
• Hollywood vs. Broadway: Is the Relationship Symbiotic or Parasitic?
• Kansas Under Water: Geology of the Cretaceous Seaway
• Listen Up! Unlocking the Secrets of Sound
• Dreams of El Dorado: Triumph and Tragedy

Learn more about Wichita State’s Lifelong Learning program by going to wichita.edu/lifelonglearning. For questions, call 316-978-3258 or email lifelonglearning@wichita.edu.

Those looking to deepen their understanding of globalization and its effects on the business world can take one or many Badges in the Global Business series here at Wichita State. Badges in the series cover the implications of globalization, differing cultures, exporting and entering foreign markets.

Badges are bite-sized, one credit hour or less courses that you can take at your own pace during the semester. These badges are developed in concert with employers, government licensing agencies, trade associations and faculty, meaning employees and employers alike can be confident that meaningful learning occurred.

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

Wichita State has been a national leader in creating a standard for microcredentials.

Those looking to deepen their understanding of globalization and its effects on the business world can take one or many Badges in the Global Business series here at Wichita State. Badges in the series cover the implications of globalization, differing cultures, exporting and entering foreign markets.

Badges are bite-sized, one credit hour or less courses that you can take at your own pace during the semester. These badges are developed in concert with employers, government licensing agencies, trade associations and faculty, meaning employees and employers alike can be confident that meaningful learning occurred.

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 national leader in creating a standard for microcredentials.

The 2025 Fall Address for will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Doors will open at 2 p.m. Attendees will also have the opportunity to pick up a copy of Wichita State’s new book, “Student Centered, Innovation Driven: A Guide to Transforming Higher Education,” at the reception following the address, while supplies last.

Join President Rick Muma and guest speakers Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost; Kevin Saal, director of athletics; Jen Friend, dean of the College of Applied Studies; Ashlie Jack, senior associate vice president for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Enrollment Management; Chris Stone, Faculty Senate president and chair/clinical associate professor, Department of Management; and Jacob Mendez, assistant dean for Student Success in the College of Engineering; as they outline key focus areas for the coming year.

Following the address, refreshments will be available at 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom. Refer to the faculty/staff parking map for nearby lots.

For the 13th consecutive year, the Shocker volleyball team earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award sponsored by INTENT.

Wichita State completed a strong academic year in 2024-25 with a 3.69 team GPA.

“It is very exciting to see that the record-setting, on-court successes during the 2024-25 season have extended to the classroom,” said AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. “The fact that more programs earned the Team Academic Award than ever before is evidence of how committed our coaches are when it comes to helping their players reach their goals as both students and athletes.”  

We interrupt – again – your relaxing summer for AfterShocks basketball at Charles Koch Arena.

While Shocker fans are used to cold winter nights at the Roundhouse, July basketball is now a habit with The Basketball Tournament. The AfterShocks, featuring former Shockers and other professionals, are three wins from the tournament’s $1 million prize.

Because TBT hosting privilege is determined by attendance, the AfterShocks will play at Koch Arena as long as they win. They play Heartfire at 8 p.m. Sunday on FS1 in a quarterfinal. The winner advances to the semifinal game on July 31. Heartfire, top-seeded in Kansas City Region, defeated JHX Hoops (Kansas alums) 71-68 on Wednesday at Municipal Auditorium.

Wichita State is hosting a card shower to honor Deltha Colvin, associate vice president of college readiness/retention programs at TRIO Student Support Services, who is retiring after 55 years of service to the university.

Since Colvin is not currently in Wichita, in lieu of an in-person celebration, the campus community can send cards to the Office of Academic Affairs, who will route them to Colvin, care of Laura Manning, executive assistant to the provost. No postage is necessary. Please send your cards to Academic Affairs by Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Colvin, a nationally recognized leader in student support and access programs, has been a driving force behind TRIO initiatives at WSU, including Upward Bound, Student Support Services, Veterans Upward Bound, McNair Scholars and GEAR UP. She was also among the first graduates of TRIO Upward Bound when it launched in 1965.