Are you a student that also shares the large responsibility of being a parent? This month, the Office of Online & Adult Learning (OAL) is celebrating Student-Parent Month by hosting a special Tuesday Connections event from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 in the Grace Wilkie Annex.

The event is an hour-long social where student-parents can come to meet each other and mingle. OAL hosts the social hour in hopes that those who take on such great responsibility while striving for a degree can create a comfortable environment.

The Academic Center for Biomedical and Health Humanities (HealthHum) will meet at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept 22 in 500 Lindquist Hal, with guest speaker Pierre Harterassociate vice president for Industry and Defense Programs and research operations and director of research and development at NIAR.

The meeting will help to plan outreach to Innovation Campus and industry partners. Join the discussion of potential partnerships, applied learning opportunities for students, curriculum development projects and event planning.

The Office of Online & Adult Learning will award two $750 scholarships to adult learners for the fall 2023 semester. To qualify, students must be:

  • Enrolled at Wichita State for fall 2023
  • Pursuing their first bachelor’s degree (program can be campus-based or fully-online)
  • At least 24 years of age

The deadline to apply is Sept. 1. Questions can be sent to oal@wichita.edu.

If you know of adult learners at Wichita State University taking at least 50% of their classes in-person, please encourage them to apply for the Osher Scholarship.

WSU is the only university in Kansas to offer the Osher Reentry Scholarship Program for adult learners. The Osher Scholarships are designed to help undergraduate students who have experienced a five-year cumulative gap in their education. The application for the fall semester of 2022 will close on June 24.

A list of requirements and the online scholarship application can be found at https://www.wichita.edu/osher. Any questions about the scholarship can be addressed to pamela.oneal@wichita.edu.

The Office of Adult Learning at Wichita State University would like to express its congratulations to the recipients of the Adult Learner of the Year Awards (ALOTY). The third annual ALOTY ceremony was held on March 10 to recognize outstanding adult learners and those who support them.

This year, the ALOTY was Nick Rodriguez, an adult learner who demonstrates academic success, leadership skills, and the pride of Wichita State University.

The Community Partner Award winner was presented to Alpha Sigma Lambda, an organization that strives to support adult learners nationwide and has impacted the success of countless students at WSU.

Kim Sandlin, director of Student Success, was presented with the WSU Partner Award for her constant support and contributions to the success of adult learners at WSU.

Thank you to those who attended the ceremony, and congratulations winners on all your hard work!

If you are an adult learner or know someone who is, the Osher Scholarship application is open until Dec. 1.

You may qualify for the Osher Scholarship if you:

  • Are a fully admitted WSU student pursuing your first bachelor’s degree.
  • Have experienced a cumulative gap in your education of at least five years.
  • Demonstrate a financial need. Applicants must complete and file a FAFSA and submit a copy of the results, called the Student Aid Report (SAR).
  • Are not a fully online student. Only 50% of applicant’s classes may be online.
  • Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA in all coursework.
  • Show academic promise and commitment to obtaining a degree.

Wichita State’s Office of Adult Learning facilitates the Adult Mentoring Advantage Program (A-MAP). A-MAP pairs adult learners in their first year at Wichita State University with experienced adult learners.

If you are interested in having a mentor, becoming a mentor, or if you would like more information about the program, please visit the A-MAP website below. Individuals who are considering becoming a mentor need to be in at least their third semester with a minimum 2.75 GPA.

The Office of Adult Learning is considering forming an organization for Wichita State University employees who are working on their first bachelor’s degree.  

To learn more, or to provide input, please contact Pamela O’Neal or call 316-978-8315.