Author: Kim Kufahl

Kelly O. Humphries’ career path is a testament to the power of persistence, innovation and a lifelong passion for storytelling and space exploration. From his early days as a journalism student at Wichita State to becoming news chief at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Humphries has spent decades helping shape how the world understands human spaceflight.

The Shocker Career Accelerator will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 6 while it hosts Education Interview Days.

Colleges and departments are invited to submit proposals for the State of Kansas Applied Learning Funds. Special attention will be given to programs traditionally lacking access to paid applied learning opportunities.

What are the funding priorities?

• Areas of greatest need: These funds are designed to level the playing field. Proposals that address areas with limited access to paid applied learning experiences will be prioritized.
• Academic alignment: The work-based experience needs to seamlessly connect with your academic program, ensuring students are building valuable bridges between theory and practice.
• Data-driven approach: The ability to collect data on your program’s effectiveness is crucial. This helps ensure these funds have a lasting positive impact on student success.

Matthew Dixon, a psychology major, has gained valuable professional and personal growth through his applied learning role with HOPE Services (Health, Outreach, Prevention and Education). As one of the first recipients of the Wichita State, State of Kansas Applied Learning Funds, Matthew emphasizes how this opportunity has provided financial stability, allowing him to live off campus.

At HOPE Services, he supports mental wellness initiatives like Suspenders4Hope, helping organize events, update webpages and engage students. His experience assembling HOPE kits for individuals struggling with suicidal ideation was particularly meaningful.

The Shocker Career Accelerator will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 for the Fairmount College Career Fair. Encourage your students to attend the fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center.

Are you looking for ways to help your students explore career options and make informed decisions about their future? Attend the PathwayU: overview and advisor access training.

PathwayU is the comprehensive career assessment tool, utilized by the Shocker Career Accelerator. It is designed to guide students to their purpose, supporting their success and persistence. In the training session, you will learn how to:

• Navigate the platform’s features, including assessments, career matches, WSU major alignment and military crosswalk
• Gain valuable insights into student interests and career aspirations
• Integrate PathwayU into your teaching or advising practices to empower students

Prior to the session, create an account at wichita.pathwayu.com and take the four career assessments.

Session dates on Teams:

• 11-11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5
• 11-11:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 5
• 11-11:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 2

Register on myTrainings via myWSU.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn a valuable tool that can help your students on their career journey.

The brand-new Shocker Career Accelerator Resource Library is now live in Shocker Central and ready for you to explore. Whether you’re crafting the perfect resume, preparing for interviews or planning your next career move, Shocker Career Accelerator has all the tools you need in one place.

It’s the ultimate destination for all things career-related — just one click away. Check it out, explore the tools and see how it can help you reach your goals. It’s a perfect place to kickstart your career journey. Check out the Resource Library today!

The Shocker Career Accelerator will be closed from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 for a staff retreat. The office appreciates your understanding and looks forward to assisting you when it reopens in the afternoon.

Ashlyn Riggs, a senior in Wichita State’s online Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP), is not just working toward her Bachelor of Arts in early childhood unified/elementary education — she’s already living her dream of becoming a teacher. Originally from Cheney, Kansas, Ashlyn benefits from WSU’s forward-thinking TAP, which blends academic advancement with hands-on classroom experience, allowing her to apply what she learns in real-time while earning her degree.

As the lead substitute teacher at WSU’s Child Development Center (CDC), Ashlyn steps into the shoes of lead teachers when they’re absent, working with children ranging from birth to pre-K. “I love being able to be part of a program that works around my work schedule so I can gain on-the-job experience while also taking classes at my own convenience,” she shares.

Lauren Coffman, a current biomedical engineering student, has always been fascinated by space. Her childhood interest turned into a reality when she secured a NASA Pathways Internship in human health and performance at Johnson Space Center (JSC). From an early love of space exploration to landing an internship with NASA, Lauren’s journey has been filled with determination, hard work and guidance from her mentors at Wichita State.

This past summer, Lauren completed her first NASA Office of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (O-STEM) internship at the Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH). During her time there, she developed procedures for biomedical equipment used in commercial spaceflight, tested these procedures with her team, managed biosample collections from astronauts and organized biomedical hardware as it moved across institutions. Now, in her current Pathways role, Lauren focuses on ensuring astronaut safety through the development of supplemental materials for biomedical equipment, certifying medical devices and analyzing countermeasures for spaceflight. “A majority of my day is spent analyzing problems with equipment and designing solutions for efficient spaceflight,” she explains.