Author: Caelin Bragg

The College of Engineering has updated one of its programs to create a more strategic career pathway for its graduates and meet the needs of business and industry. Effective fall 2023, the new applied engineering program — formerly engineering technology — has been adapted based on feedback from employers and alumni.  

Applied engineering will be classified by the accreditation authority, ABET, in the general engineering category and move to the new 14.0103 Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code, making graduates eligible to pursue their Professional Engineer (PE) licenses in Kansas and elsewhere.

This week’s Student Success and Persistence highlight comes from Fatemeh Farokhi.

Fatemeh — a senior majoring in medical laboratory sciences — graduated Farzanegan High School from her home city of Kerman, Iran before coming to Wichita State.

Being an ESL student, Fatemeh worried that she wouldn’t be able to keep up with her workload, but those fears were quickly unfounded when she found the Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) faculty and staff were understanding and accommodating.

“The staff and faculty of MLS were really friendly and made me feel like I belong. They patiently answered any questions I had and gave me great advice along the way. Aisha Waite, chair of MLS, also introduced us to a book called ‘Who moved my cheese?’ in a management course that tells us not to fear change and adapt to the change quickly. It helped me a lot to look at things differently and reduce my stress when any change happens.”

Katie Baskins, clinical educator in MLS, says it’s important for faculty and staff to be open and available to students to help them not only with their stress, but also to share with them the passion for the subject.

“I valued Fatemeh’s eagerness to learn. She is always well prepared with questions and didn’t hesitate to reach out to me when needed. I think being open to students’ needs is a vital piece in their educational growth, and being present with them helps alleviate the stress and anxiety that comes with higher education. I know this profession is my passion, and I share this with the students. For the student to be successful, the material needs to be clear so they can make those connections when it comes to patient care.”

Do you know of a faculty or staff member who promotes student success, or a student who has been helped by a faculty or staff member, that should be highlighted in WSU Today? Email your ideas to Caelin Bragg, newsletter editor with the Office of Strategic Communications, at caelin.bragg@wichita.edu.

With a new season comes new views. Show us your favorite Shocker views this fall on social media with the hashtag #WichitaState, and we’ll showcase your pics here in Shocker Blast and on WSU’s official social media accounts.

And be sure to follow us on your favorite platforms to stay connected with Shocker Nation!

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Wichita State and EPA Region 7 celebrated the opening of the new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (EJ TCTAC).

The EJ TCTAC is one of 17 being established across the country to help underserved communities access funds to combat environmental justice concerns. President Rick Muma and Meg McCollister, EPA Region 7 administrator, joined in opening the new center.

The center is part of WSU’s Environmental Finance Center under the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs.

This week for F1RST-Gen Friday, Alondra Aguilera — a Wichita native, preK-12 Spanish education major and minoring in music — shares her story of being first-gen.

• How does it feel to be the first member of your family to attend college?
  “Being the first person in my family to go to college can be hard, especially because my parents had to immigrate here from México. I have had to figure out how to navigate college on my own. I also am the eldest daughter, which also has made it difficult as there hasn’t really been anyone else to guide me through the process of getting into college. If it hadn’t been for campus resources and programs, especially the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s Passage 2 Success and Latinos Lead, I would have had a harder time with my transition into college.”
• What piece of advice would you share with incoming first-gen college students?
  “Having a support system is essential to help you get through the rough times. Talking to other students, faculty and staff can help you network and get resources to succeed in college.”
• Any advice you would share with the campus community working with first-gen students?
  “I would ask WSU to explain to students the processes for financial aid and documentation processes while transitioning into college. They can improve this by using language that is accessible to everyone. This would help those who are the first in their families to attend college. They can also explain how college works to our families who may not understand. Providing information to students in multiple languages could also help parents who speak other languages become involved in their Shockers’ education.”
• What do you hope to do after you graduate from Wichita State?
  “I hope to become a Spanish Teacher in a public school district and possibly pursue higher education later in life.”

F1RST Gen Shockers promotes initiatives for first-generation students to ensure their success and seeks to build a culture of awareness and celebration for first-gen students at Wichita State.

Know of a campus community member who is first-gen who you think should be featured? Email your ideas to F1RST Gen Shockers at FGShockers@wichita.edu.

This week for F1RST-Gen Friday, Gina Crabtree — university registrar and director of Enrollment Services — shares her story of being first-gen.

• How has your first-gen experience inspired you?
  “While I remember wishing my parents had more understanding of the issues I faced when selecting and attending college, only hindsight helped me to fully recognize the difficulties and disadvantages of my first-gen experience. You don’t know what you don’t know. I’m proud to be part of a university community that is working to address the barriers many first-gen students face.”

F1RST Gen Shockers promotes initiatives for first-generation students to ensure their success and seeks to build a culture of awareness and celebration for first-gen students at Wichita State.

Know of a campus community member who is first-gen who you think should be featured? Email your ideas to F1RST Gen Shockers at FGShockers@wichita.edu.

Facility Services will begin restriping road markings, including centerlines, arrows and parking spots, starting Monday, July 17. Work is expected to last until Friday, July 21.

The work will require lane closures across campus from approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, weather permitting.

Parking will be unavailable in front of Shocker Hall on Perimeter Road during this time to establish a fire lane.

The Accessible Design course concerned Wichita State University junior Reagan Kelley at first. She wasn’t an engineering major and wasn’t sure what she could contribute. 

Conversations with Samantha Corcoran, associate engineering coordinator in the College of Engineering, answered her questions. The payoff at the end of the project made it worthwhile. Kelley, an exercise science major, and three other students modified an all-terrain wheelchair for Sutton, a 9-year-old boy who outgrew the chair’s previous dimensions. 

KWCH featured Wichita State’s Varsity Esports program in its weekend broadcast.

KWCH spoke with Travis Yang, director of esports, and students about the opportunities the program provides and what the future holds for esports.

“The stigma used to be, kid’s playing games in the basement and needs to get out. These days, when paired with a varsity program that has the structure and keeps students accountable, it has a lot of potential,” Yang told KWCH

A new Jersey Mike’s Subs is set to open Wednesday, July 12 in Wichita State University’s Braeburn Square on the Innovation Campus. 

Wichita’s newest Jersey Mike’s franchise location is one of seven dining establishments in the lakeside retail plaza, including Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Sesame Mediterranean Kitchen, Social Tap, Sungrano Pizza, Wheatly’s Burgers and Two Hands Corn Dogs (opening later this summer).  

The sub shop offers a variety of hot and cold sandwiches, kids’ meals and catering services. The Wichita State franchise location is owned by Annette Hennes and will feature a patio and garage door — a design Hennes says aims to create a comfortable and welcoming space for patrons.