Zach Gearhart, chief of staff, will update faculty and staff on legislative issues raised related to Wichita State from the Kansas state government.

The meeting is open to all faculty and staff every other Friday in the Morrison Hall board room. The next meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 2.

Over the weekend, Wichita State University took proactive measures and disconnected several University systems to isolate an unauthorized attempt by a third party to access the University’s systems. Most of the University system access has been restored and there has been no indication that any of the University’s secure data or information has been compromised. The University will continue to engage its security protocols in restoring full availability of all networks and systems, prioritizing student needs.

At this time, we anticipate that the University will have restoration of all networks and major systems by tomorrow but are also mindful that these incidents often create residual issues and future interruptions may occur. Cyber incidents have unfortunately become more common, especially in large organizations like WSU. The University has and continues to devote the necessary resources to its digital infrastructure to guard against unauthorized access. We appreciate the Shocker community’s continued patience.

Photo of a previous Commencement Cruise with a student and faculty member posing next to a car decorated for the parade.

All graduating students are invited to take part in Commencement Cruise at 3 p.m. Friday, May 12 beginning in the parking lot on the west side of campus, Lot 1, to represent their college.

Commencement Cruise is pre-commencement celebratory walk featuring decorated vehicles and groups of graduates following behind on foot from each college. Colleges will decorate their cars at 2 p.m. and line up at 2:30 p.m.

The order of colleges:

  • College of Applied Studies
  • Barton School of Business
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Fine Arts
  • College of Health Professions
  • Cohen Honors College
  • College of Innovation and Design
  • Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • WSU Libraries

Graduates should RSVP to walk during the Commencement Cruise by Wednesday, May 10. Graduates can also invite friends and family to cheer them on during the walk.

Following the Commencement Cruise, graduates can attend The Toast at 5 p.m. on the Hubbard Hall east lawn. Registration is required to attend.

Any questions can be directed to the Academics Affairs Office at 316-978-3010.

Photo of a previous Commencement Cruise with a student and faculty member posing next to a car decorated for the parade.

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in Commencement Cruise at 3 p.m. Friday, May 12 beginning in the parking lot on the west side of campus, Lot 1, to support their graduates.

Commencement Cruise is pre-commencement celebratory walk featuring decorated vehicles and groups of graduates following behind on foot from each college.

RSVP to walk with your college’s graduates at the Commencement Cruise by Wednesday, May 10, and faculty can encourage their graduating students to RSVP to walk as well. All are welcome to stand along the parade route to cheer on the graduates.

Any questions can be directed to the Academics Affairs Office at 316-978-3010.

Wichita State’s technical teams continue to work on the server and networking issues. Access to WSU systems will be limited Monday, May 1.

We apologize for the disruption and will continue to keep you informed.

The WSU campus will remain open and classes will continue with adjustments as necessary. Detailed systems access information is below.

Intermittent availability on-campus only May 1:

  • Banner – All modules, including enrollment
  • Email
  • Main Website (wichita.edu)
  • NIAR Network and services

Intermittent availability off-campus May 1:
(Access will be available in the Rhatigan Student Center, Ablah Library and residence halls)

  • Blackboard
  • ChromeRiver
  • StarRez
  • NuPark
  • Anthology
  • Suitable
  • Degreeworks
  • Cornerstone
Wide shot photo of attendees interacting with each other at the Innovation Campus mixer.

Innovation Campus and Wichita State faculty partners attended the first Faculty and Innovation Campus Partner Mixer April 27.

The mixer was the first in a series of networking opportunities facilitated by WSU to encourage knowledge sharing and establish relationships among faculty and Innovation Campus partners.

Stay tuned for future mixers and chances to RSVP.

Formally known as the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC), the newly renamed Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance (CTAC) will continue its commitment to ensuring members of the campus community feel included and engaged.

The name was changed to provide a clearer picture of how the office can help members of the campus community. In addition to the name change, students, faculty and staff can expect an increase in staff, campus-wide visibility, education and program initiatives, new and improved Title IX and EEO training, and an implementation of a CTAC monthly newsletter.

Photo of Dr. Courtney McHenry.

CTAC is helmed by Dr. Courtney McHenry, who started in the role in January. His experience consists of several years leading civil rights investigative divisions in both higher education and city government. Dr. McHenry is also a graduate of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, the University of Central Florida, and St. Thomas University.

“As CTAC continues to evolve and expand, the bottom line, aside from the compliance component, is undoubtedly customer service. The late great Dr. Maya Angelou once said, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ Compliance and policy enforcement can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.”

Students jumping in front of the Wichita State sign on 21st and Oliver.

Learn more about the newest research and innovation coming out of Wichita State by reading the April 2023 edition of Research & Innovation News.

Learn more about recent findings from Dr. Don Blakeslee, professor of anthropology and archaeologist, over the prehistoric Great Plains; the EPA selecting Wichita State as a site for an environmental justice center; and a WSU senior who presented her physics research at the annual American Astronomical Society meeting.

Research & Innovation News publishes every other month. Subscribe to the mailing list.

Photo of President Rick Muma with members of the Media Resources Center and WuShock holding up a sign that says "Rick Rewards | The Office of the President."

The Media Resources Center (MRC) was recognized as the next recipient of Rick Rewards April 27. MRC staff were honored for their dedication to supporting the campus community’s media technology needs.

Rick Rewards is awarded each month by President Rick Muma to show his appreciation for the efforts of our campus community.

Photo of Hannah Holliday in her Yale University T-shirt.

Only two students were selected for the 2023 summer Yale University Press manuscript editorial internship — one was secured by a Yale University student and the other was Wichita State’s own Hannah Holliday.

Holliday, a junior studying creative writing and communication in WSU’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will continue to live in Wichita while working remotely at her internship, which will be done over nine weeks starting June 5 and ending Aug. 5.