Author: Abigail Klein

Savannah Paschal started to understand the power individuals possess to help their community while a student at Campus High School. Whether organizing a cookie fundraiser to benefit a homeless shelter or serving as president of the art club, Paschal found rewards in getting involved.

“I was super invested,” Paschal said. “One simple lesson is to tackle problems that you can see.”

At Wichita State University, Paschal continued to expand the desire to serve the community through work with Alce su voz (Spanish for “speak out.”). The coalition’s purpose is to improve health equity for Spanish speakers and speakers of indigenous languages in Kansas.

Make sure to catch the latest episode of my “Forward Together” podcast, where I talk with Athletic Director Kevin Saal about all things Shocker Athletics and NIL. Watch it here — https://wsu.news/FTWSaal — or listen at https://wsu.news/ftpodcast or on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts and Apple Podcasts (iTunes).

The next episode will focus on Wichita State as a driver for education in Kansas. Subscribe here and be notified when new episodes are available.

The latest fall enrollment numbers from the Kansas Board of Regents show that, as a whole, public universities and community colleges in the state are experiencing a continued decline in enrollment — reflecting a trend nationally that may indicate shifting attitudes toward higher education and career paths.

Across the six state universities, there was a 1.5% decrease in students enrolled between 2021 and 2022, the Kansas Board of Regents data shows, and a 1% decrease at community colleges. Technical colleges, meanwhile, saw a 6% increase — not far from WSU Tech’s 4% growth.

Contrasted against the other four-year colleges around the state, Wichita State University was the only institution to see a noticeable uptick in new students this fall.

“I think over time people have become dissatisfied with higher education because many people are leaving before they graduate with all kinds of debt, or coming out of school with a tremendous amount of debt,” said Rick Muma, WSU president. “The way we’ve been addressing this is this applied learning approach.”

From providing more need-based financial aid to helping increase the FASFA completion rate, WSU and WSU Tech administrators say another key to growing enrollment has been breaking down barriers for nontraditional and underrepresented college students.

The Rhatigan Student Center and its departments will alter its hours Oct. 15-18 for Fall Break. For specific hours of operation, visit the RSC Hours page.

As Wichita State University celebrates record enrollment the university is bolstering its student success initiatives to increase graduation rates. As part of those efforts, the National Science Foundation has awarded WSU researchers $750,000 to increase persistence rates among low-income engineering students, particularly those who are interested in advanced manufacturing careers. 

The project — titled “Improved Persistence to Degree Completion through Enhanced Engineering Identity” — was borne from statistics that show that low-income students have lower degree-completion rates than their typical-income peers in engineering. It has also been shown that engineering students who identify with the profession have a greater likelihood of graduating.

The Wichita Aero Club (WAC) announced Dr. John Tomblin as the recipient of the 2023 WAC Trophy during a special ceremony Oct. 11. Tomblin is senior vice president, Industry and Defense Programs; executive director, National Institute for Aviation Research; and Sam Bloomfield Distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering for Wichita State University.

WAC will celebrate Tomblin at its annual trophy gala in January 2023.

“The Wichita Aero Club continues to build upon the tradition we began in 2010 by selecting a deserving candidate with solid ties to the Wichita and Kansas aviation community,” said Ashley Bowen Cook, WAC board chair, trophy committee chair, and Greteman Group vice president. “Dr. Tomblin not only has exemplary achievements in this past year but has consistently raised the bar for our aerospace community for many years in his role at WSU and NIAR. We are excited to celebrate his many contributions.”

It’s time to apply for the the fall 2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) campaign.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students to apply for a full range of possible financial aid programs, including work-study, grants and loans. Learn more at WSU’s FAFSA page.

Many Wichita State students have benefitted from FAFSA, including Valeria Paunetto, a sophomore in social work.

“Completing the FAFSA opens doors to scholarship opportunities,” said Valeria.

If students need assistance, they can set up an appointment at the Wichita State Financial Aid office page.

For more information regarding financial aid at Wichita State, please contact WSU’s OneStop by phone at 316-978-3430 or by chat at the OneStop page.

It’s time to apply for the the fall 2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) campaign.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students to apply for a full range of possible financial aid programs, including work-study, grants and loans. Learn more at WSU’s FAFSA page.

Many Wichita State students have benefitted from FAFSA, including Wendy De Loera, a senior in business administratio.

“FAFSA is a fair way for financial aid to be distributed to all eligible student,” said Wendy.

If students need assistance, they can set up an appointment at the Wichita State Financial Aid office page.

For more information regarding financial aid at Wichita State, please contact WSU’s OneStop by phone at 316-978-3430 or by chat at the OneStop page.

It’s time to apply for the the fall 2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) campaign.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students to apply for a full range of possible financial aid programs, including work-study, grants and loans. Learn more at WSU’s FAFSA page.

Many Wichita State students have benefitted from FAFSA, including Alondra Aguilera, senior in pre-K-12 Spanish education.

“FAFSA helps make college affordable,” said Alondra.

If students need assistance, they can set up an appointment at the Wichita State Financial Aid office page.

For more information regarding financial aid at Wichita State, please contact WSU’s OneStop by phone at 316-978-3430 or by chat at the OneStop page.

It’s time to apply for the the fall 2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) campaign.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows students to apply for a full range of possible financial aid programs, including work-study, grants and loans. Learn more at WSU’s FAFSA page.

Many Wichita State students have benefitted from FAFSA, including Octavio Nunez, Octavio Nunez, a senior from Los Angeles who is studying product design and manufacturing engineering.

“Applying for the FAFSA is free and easy to do,” said Octavio.

If students need assistance, they can set up an appointment at the Wichita State Financial Aid office page.

For more information regarding financial aid at Wichita State, please contact WSU’s OneStop by phone at 316-978-3430 or by chat at the OneStop page.