Author: Naquela Pack

Last year, United Way-funded United Way of the Plains supported individuals in the Shocker Neighborhood more than 35,400 times, and 211 alone assisted this neighborhood 16,328 times. The top service support categories were emergency social services and case management, food assistance, homeless prevention and developmental support for children.

This year, WSU would like to increase its donations by 4-5%. Every dollar donated equals $2.09 worth of impact because United Way leverages resources, grants, donated goods and volunteers, a dollar goes further and has a greater impact in the community. Where else can you get a return on your investment like that?

For 2022, members are invited to give to United Way at the level that’s right for them. A gift of any size makes a difference. To donate, fill out the ePledge form.

The Office of Engagement lead efforts to ensure Wichita State had a presence during the 2021 Riverfest Parade. During previous years, the parade is held in the summer. Due to the pandemic, the parade was held in October, which made it easier for WSU to be involved.

In addition to moving the month, the events of the parade itself were adjusted. Instead of lining the street and watching the parade pass by, attendees remained in their cars and drove by the parade entries, which were lined up on both sides of Main Street in downtown Wichita. Shocker Sound Machine, the WSU Dance Team, the Shift Space student group and the Office of Engagement staff all attended and lined up on Main Street during the parade. Along with highlighting WSU groups during the parade Shocker Sound Machine won the best band and a $500 check.

The Office of Admissions also provided the first 200 cars that drove through the reverse parade with a goody bag including information about Wichita State.

To add your feedback, look for the Office Strategic Engagement and Planning’s yard signs on campus and in Shocker Neighborhood with QR codes. When you scan the code, you see a survey that asks, “What kind of things would you do in your area if you felt the area was designed for you?”

You can also provide your feedback at the link below.

Wichita State’s Strategic Engagement and Planning (SEP) will host Good Neighbor Week from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4. In addition to Good Neighbor Bingo beginning Sept. 28, the following events will be available:

• Sept. 28 — Good Neighbor Bingo all month
• Sept. 28-Oct. 4 — Third Annual faculty versus staff Stock the Shocker Support Locker Challenge
• noon, Sept. 29 — Students United Service Provider Panel
• 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sept. 27, 29 — Sunflower making workshop at Atwater Recreation Center
• 6:30 p.m., Sept. 30 — Student Government Association Food Insecurity Panel
• 5 p.m., Oct. 1 — Riverfest Parade
• 8:30 a.m., Oct. 2 — Morning neighborhood walk
• Oct. 3 — Campus community discount bowling all week at Shocker Lanes
• Oct. 4 — Highlighting stories from our neighbors event

Good Neighbor Week speaks to Wichita State’s 2019 Climate Survey indicating opportunities for improvement within the satisfaction of culture and atmosphere on campus and the “Why Good Neighboring Matters” featured in the Chung Report. In the report, of “108 cities surveyed, Wichita ranked the 11th lowest on talking with neighbors frequently, ninth-lowest on doing favors for neighbors frequently and the lowest on seeing and hearing from friends and  family frequently.”

SEP hopes that through Good Neighbor Week we increase engagement on and off-campus and create connections to lead to a sense of belonging. Helping people feel connected and part of something bigger than themselves is the goal. Neighboring does take time and effort, but there are both personal and community benefits.

Take the good neighboring challenge! For more information or to get involved with Good Neighbor week, email Naquela Pack.

The Shocker Neighborhood Promise Scholars were congratulated and celebrated Aug. 17 at a connection dinner. Please help us welcome them to Shocker Nation.

Pictured above from left to right are (back row) Brittney Covarrubias, Sara Duong, Emily Collette and Mason Farmer; and (front row) Bryan Perez-Moreno, Aunisti Swan, Bethany Solter, Alaisjah Hoy, Nayzeth Tello-Mendoza and Adar Abdullahi. Not pictured are Bronxon Frierson, Teon Hicks, Shakaya Hutton, Zacoriana Reed, Bethany Solter, Aunisti Swan, and Nayzeth Tello-Mendoza.

Dr. Kaye Monk Morgan, vice president of the Office of Strategic Engagement and Planning, was honored Aug. 12 at the Wichita Business Journal’s fifth Diversity and Inclusion Awards, formerly known as the Leaders in Diversity Award.

This event recognized the accomplishments of Wichita-area businesses, individuals and nonprofits as they strive to reflect the rich tapestry in our community. The honorees selected demonstrate respect or inclusive treatment for others, advocacy for underrepresented groups and commitment to the advancement of cultural diversity in the business community.

Monday Markets will continue 2:30-3:30 p.m. today at the Paradise Baptist Church parking lot located 17th and Oliver streets. Buy fresh and local produce, connect to community resources, get your blood pressure checked and more.

Upcoming Monday Market dates:

• Sept. 13: Braeburn Square, 21st and Oliver
• Oct. 11: Paradise Baptist Church, 17th and Oliver

The Office of Strategic Engagement and Planning needs your help providing more engagement opportunities on campus. Those who wish to contribute can look for the office’s signs on campus and scan the featured QR code.

The requests will be used as community input for its current development process. The input will be shared later with the private developers who will submit proposals for augmenting the west and south boundaries of the university, also known as University Village.

Private developers typically build at their discretion with a focus on items that drive economic benefit. We see this survey as an opportunity to elevate the voices of the communities that make up Wichita State and hope that we can bring the desires of those communities into the development process and help bring to fruition some mutually beneficial opportunities.

Help Wu Crew Reads reach its goal of 50 volunteers by the end of August. Wu Crew Reads volunteers read children’s books aloud and ask students questions about the books to help them better understand the story.

To participate, volunteers are asked to commit 20 minutes from 2:40 to 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoons for a semester. During this time, volunteers will read virtually with a student at Gordan Parks Elementary School.

Wu Crew Read is part of an effort to help USD 259 reach its long-term strategic goal of increasing third-grade reading proficiency, which aligns with Wichita State’s mission to being an educational driver for Kansas and the greater public good.