Author: Caelin Bragg

To help guide the new Wichita State Connect space located in the heart of campus, Wichita State has hired Dr. Alicia Thompson, former superintendent of USD 259, as the associate vice president of preK-12 connections and special projects.

In this role, Thompson will direct the new Wichita State Connect, which will serve as a hub for preK-12 field trips, mixers and professional development opportunities for educators and to provide WSU academic colleges and programs chances to engage with schools, industry and community partners.

“I am excited to join the Shocker Nation family as its new associate vice president of preK-12 connections and special project,” Thompson said. “I’m looking forward to continue building connections between the university and our community, including our public schools, to help elevate educational opportunities for all.”

Thompson brings with her 31 years of experience working in service of students during her time at USD 259. She will start on Feb. 19.

“Dr. Thompson’s extensive experience as the former superintendent of Wichita Public Schools provides a unique opportunity to capitalize on her wealth of knowledge and deep commitment to educational excellence. Her experiences in preK-12 education will enhance our ability to offer relevant and dynamic programming for the intended audiences,” said Dr. Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president. “Her leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our partnerships with local schools and enhance opportunities for students across the region. We look forward to the impactful contributions she will make to our university community.”

The campus community is invited to learn more and ask questions about the next Wichita State Master Plan from 2 to 3 p.m. March 1 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium or virtually via YouTube livestream. President Rick Muma and Dr. Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president, will speak at the event along with representatives from Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm that helped develop the plan. Please RSVP to attend.

As a member of the Kansas Board of Regents, Wichita State is required to provide a master plan every 10 years to guide the vision of the future of the university, and the session is a chance for members of the campus community to learn more from university leadership on what the next 10 years of Wichita State will look like.

Attendees will be able to view Master Plan visual drafts at a reception following the event, and light refreshments will be provided. The livestream will be available to view on Wichita State’s YouTube channel following the event.

For more information or questions, contact Emily Patterson, executive director of Facilities Planning, at 316-978-5829.

Encourage your students to join the Savvy Scholar Workshop on “Annotated Bibliographies and Why You Should Write One.” Happening from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 in Ablah Library at the Digital Learning Commons (in-person and online).

Explore the purposes, processes and benefits of creating robust annotated bibliographies to enhance the quality and efficiency of their research projects and assignments.

Encourage your students to join the Savvy Scholar Workshop on “Annotated Bibliographies and Why You Should Write One.” Happening from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 in Ablah Library at the Digital Learning Commons (in-person and online).

Explore the purposes, processes and benefits of creating robust annotated bibliographies to enhance the quality and efficiency of their research projects and assignments.

President Rick Muma and Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president, are conducting a town hall for Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty and staff at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 via Zoom.

Make sure to catch the latest episode of the “Forward Together” podcast. Join Wichita State President Rick Muma when he talks with Leanne Caret, featured on Forbes Magazine’s Most Powerful Women list, about her career in the aerospace industry and women in STEM.

While recording the podcast, Caret discovered several Easter egg photos on set featuring President Muma. Vote for your favorite. The first 100 responses will be eligible for a vintage WuShock glass.

Watch the episode online or listen on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts or Apple Podcasts (iTunes).

The next episode will feature Bobby Berry, assistant dean for diversity and outreach in the College of Applied Studies. Subscribe to be notified when new episodes are available.

2023-24 seasonal influenza vaccines and updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccines have arrived at Student Health Services. WSU faculty, staff and students — make your appointment now, while supplies last.

Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to receive one dose of updated influenza and mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The new COVID-19 vaccine formula targets the variants that are currently circulating in the United States. Who is eligible for the Flu and COVID-19 vaccines at Student Health Services?

• Ages 18 and over
• Currently enrolled WSU students
• Current WSU employees
• Must be at least 10 days past a positive COVID test or COVID-19/influenza-like symptoms.

How to get your vaccination?

• Appointments are required. Call 316-978-4792 to schedule.
• Bring your current health insurance card to use your possible free immunization benefits. If SHS is considered out of network with your insurance, you may have out-of-pocket costs.
• Allow 15 minutes to sit and wait after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

How much do the vaccinations cost?

• Flu Vaccines – $25, plus administration fee
• 2023-24 COVID booster vaccine – Pfizer Comirnaty – $125, plus administration fee

Other COVID-19 vaccination locations in the Wichita Community: vaccines.gov/search

• When searching on the site, uninsured or underinsured persons should be sure to click the box for “Bridge Access Program Participant” while searching for a vaccine using this site. This program provides no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. There are 19 pharmacies or health departments in the Wichita area that are authorized participants of this program.

Did you get an email that promises you amazing financial aid, grants or an amazing job opportunity from UNICEF? If so, ask yourself – could this be a scam?

Key things to look for:

• Sender: Does the sender make sense? UNICEF or anyone promising money would not legitimately email you from another college or a free email account (Like @outlook.com or @gmail.com).
• Do they claim that you cannot email them back with your @shocker account because it is part of a “reading test” or “checking your attention to detail”?
• Do they claim to be from a generic organization without a website, physical address, or logos/branding?
• Are they going to hire you without an interview?
• Did they claim that they know you, but then ask your name, phone number, name of your university and want your mobile number?
• Do they only want to talk to you via text?
• Do they claim you have free money?

If you see this in an email – it’s a scam.

They will send you fake checks. They work out a deal where you cash the check and send them the money via bank transfer app. The scam is the checks take a few days to clear, but the bank makes the money available to you right away. When the checks fail to clear and turn out to be fake, the bank will take the money out of your account. There is no insurance for this. You end up losing it all.

Be smart – do not take checks from unknown sources and think about emails before getting excited.

Unsure if an email is a scam? Report it. Hit the “Report Phish” button in outlook or send the message to spamreport@wichita.edu.

Dr. Tania Betancourt, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas State University, will discuss applying for funding for, and directing, a large research center at a workshop at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room or virtually via Teams.

Specifically, Dr. Betancourt will discuss the National Science Foundation’s Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) program as an example of a large research center.

Dr. Betancourt is a faculty member of the Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization Program, and director of the NSF PREM Center for Intelligent Materials Assembly at Texas State. There will be opportunities for questions with WSU researchers at this hybrid session.

For more information or to receive a link to the virtual workshop, contact funding@wichita.edu. You may also register directly on myTraining through myWSU. 

Dr. Betancourt is also presenting a chemistry seminar, “Pulsatile Drug Delivery via Photothermal Modulation of Dynamic Covalent Poly(ethylene glycol)/PEDOT Hydrogels,” as part of WSU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry colloquium series at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14 in 224 McKinley Hall. She will also participate in a discussion of Latin-X and Women in STEM from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 in 261 RSC, Olive Room. RSVP to carol.mccall@wichita.edu if you plan to attend.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has announced that its online ordering is now available as early as 9 a.m. daily for pick-up or delivery at the Braeburn Square location.

Enjoy breakfast favorites from the comfort of your home, classroom or office. Dine-in options kick in at 10:30 a.m. daily.