Author: Caelin Bragg

Wichita State students can develop skills inside and outside the classroom by working with their career ready competencies and strengthening them before graduation. Students needing professional work experience in their field can also explore applied learning opportunities. Students can keep track of their applied learning opportunities in the app Shocker 360.

Wichita State has a number of programs that can help you travel the country or the world while simultaneously working toward your degree and enhancing your student experience. Students should explore academic travel opportunities such as Study Abroad and National Student Exchange early so they can prepare financially and academically. 

Additional tip to help this week:

If resources are running low, students can receive basic necessities from the Shocker Support Locker.

As enrollment approaches, you should consider how to complete 30 credit hours in one academic year. By enrolling in a combination of fall, spring and summer classes, you can remain on track with your degree programs and potentially shorten the time it takes to earn your degree. Some studies show that completing 30 hours each academic year increases academic performance and decreases student debt.

Speak with your academic advisor to develop an academic plan or run a degree audit in Degree Works.

Now is the time for you to check your class progress and reflect on the goals you set for yourself at the beginning of the semester. You can do this by locating your grades in Blackboard and attending academic success programs. You can also visit the Shocker Learning Center.

You can also contact student.success@wichita.edu to request a meeting with a success coach or schedule directly at the Success Coach website.

Students may feel anxious about approaching their professors and need encouragement to interact with them. Despite these reservations, making connections with faculty can help students feel more comfortable in class, get references for jobs or graduate school, and help advise them about career options.

Use the link below and to learn few tips on how to approach and speak with professors. Remember, faculty members are often their best resource for academic success.

It’s never too late to try new tactics in the classroom and at home to improve learning. Students can quiz themselves or other classmates on class concepts, create questions from assigned readings to ask during class, or join a study group with other motivated students to improve academic performance.

Do you need help? Wichita State’s Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS) has a variety of mental health services with people ready to help students. Visit their website to view a full list of services.

The majority of the parking lot at Woolsey Hall, lot 41, will be closed Thursday, Jan. 26 for events during the day. ADA spaces are always open outside of a lot reservation. Make plans for how you intend to park prior to coming to campus.

Do you know a faculty member who exemplifies any of the traits below? If so, nominate that person for the Wichita State President’s Distinguished Service Award.

• Distinguished service to the university
• Distinguished service to the community
• Notable outreach efforts or forging of connections among WSU and the community
• Long-term commitment to WSU through extensive committee service

Consider nominating them for the Presidential Service Award. Complete a nomination form, attach a CV that includes the nominee’s service activities, and include a letter of support. Previous recipients of this award are not eligible for nomination.

Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27. Please send your nominations to leeann.birdwell@wichita.edu.

Wichita State University has selected the top 14 finalists in the annual Distinguished Scholarship Invitational:

• Kyra Bergman, Centralia High School (Centralia, KS)
• Maisy Blanton, Andover High School
• Evander Davis, Washburn Rural High School
• Grace Fisher, Liberty High School (Missouri)
• Payton Hamilton, McPherson High School
• Maley Hansen, Wichita North High School
• Lesly Hernandez, Maize High School
• Tamara Ibrahim, Wichita East High School
• Jayden Island, Derby High School
• Katelyn Janzen, Oklahoma Bible Academy (Oklahoma)
• Carson McCachern, Deer Creek High School (Oklahoma)
• Laura Pham, Wichita East High School
• Ronish Rasaily, Wichita East High School
• Anna Richardson, Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School