Author: Loren Belew

The deadline is approaching to apply for the 2027 Alternative Spring Break. Applications are due by Saturday, Oct. 31.

Students will explore social and cultural issues through community visits, hands-on service, group discussions and shared readings while working alongside local organizations.

The trip will be March 15-20, 2027 in Denver, Colorado. The cost is $150 per student, which covers transportation, lodging, meals, programming and a final fun-day activity. Meals purchased while traveling to and from Denver are not included. Full payment is due Jan. 9, 2027.

Students will volunteer with organizations focused on:

• Food and hunger
• Youth and mentoring
• Environmental sustainability
• Animal welfare

Participants must attend three pre-trip meetings and one post-trip seminar. Pre-trip meetings will cover service-related social issues, readings, trip logistics and group preparation. Individual make-up meetings are available if needed.

Applications and reflection statements will be reviewed anonymously by a selection committee from Student Engagement & Belonging. Applications, or additional questions, can be emailed to Loren Belew at loren.belew@wichita.edu. Applicants will be notified by Dec. 11.

Celebrate Vote Early Day with the Shockers Vote! Coalition. Stop by its table from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center to learn more about early voting and enjoy snacks, games and prize giveaways.

Can’t make it but still have voting questions? Email civicengagement@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016.

Ready to roll up your sleeves and make a difference? Join the Community Service Board and Habitat for Humanity to help build a home for a local family from 7:45 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24

Lunch will be provided. Come dressed for the weather in warm clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. There is no better way to spend the day than building, serving and making an impact together.

For questions, email CSB@wichita.edu.

Join the Shockers Vote Coalition starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 in the CAC Theater to watch “Hamilton,” then stick around to test your knowledge against fellow Shockers for the chance to win prizes.

• Free event, open to all WSU students, staff and faculty
• Snacks and drinks provided while supplies last
• Learn about voting and ways to get involved in civic engagement

Bring your friends and get ready for a night of history, music and fun. For questions email civicengagement@wichita.edu.

In remembrance of the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, WSU will host its first campus-wide 9/11 day of service. The day of service will begin at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11 with on- and off-campus service events throughout the day for all staff, students and faculty to join. For additional information about service events and to register, visit the day of service page on volunteerICT.

Stop by the table in the atrium of the Rhatigan Student Center at 8 a.m. the day of for the kick off. For questions, email civicengagement@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016.

Looking for a meaningful way to spend spring break? Join the Denver Alternative Spring Break in 2027.

Students will explore social and cultural issues through community visits, hands-on service, group discussions and shared readings while working alongside local organizations.

The trip will be from March 15 to March 20, 2027. The $150 fee covers transportation, lodging, meals, programming and a final fun-day activity. Meals purchased while traveling to and from Denver are not included. Full payment is due Jan. 9, 2027.

Students will volunteer with organizations focused on:

• Food and hunger
• Youth and mentoring
• Environmental sustainability
• Animal welfare

Participants must attend three pre-trip meetings and one post-trip seminar. Pre-trip meetings will cover service-related social issues, readings, trip logistics and group preparation. Individual make-up meetings are available if needed.

Applications are due by Oct. 31. Applications and reflection statements will be reviewed anonymously by a selection committee from Student Engagement & Belonging. Applicants will be notified by Dec. 11. Submit applications to Student Engagement & Belonging in 216 Rhatigan Student Center or email Loren Belew at loren.belew@wichita.edu.

Are you curious about volunteering, but aren’t sure where to start? Stop by the Volunteer Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, March 9 on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center to learn about ways that you can get involved.

There will be representatives from more than thirty non-profits on hand who can tell you about how you can get involved with volunteering. Once you have visited with five organizations, you can enter a raffle to win a prize as well. For questions, email civicengagement@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016.

Are you curious about volunteering, but aren’t sure where to start? Stop by the Volunteer Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 on the first floor of the RSC to learn about ways that you can get involved.

There will be representatives from more than 30 non-profits on hand who can tell you about how you can get involved with volunteering. Once you have visited with five organizations, you can enter a raffle to win a prize as well. For questions, email civicengagement@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016.

Join WSU’s largest one day volunteer event. Wu’s Big Event is quickly approaching. Join your fellow Shockers for a morning of volunteering throughout the community. Individuals, groups, organizations, students, staff and faculty are all invited to attend. Check-in for Wu’s Big Event will be from 8:30 to 8:50 a.m. Feb. 7.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom with a light breakfast and kick-off celebration. Participants will then load the buses and be at a service site by 10 a.m. Volunteers will work until noon and return to the Beggs Ballroom for lunch and closing festivities.

The event will end by 1:30 p.m. Transportation to and from service sites is provided.

For additional information, email CSB@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016.

Do you have spring break plans yet? Have you thought about going on an Alternative Spring Break?

Alternative Spring Break will expose WSU students to complex social and cultural issues through community visits, direct service, group discussions and common readings. The 2026 Alternative Spring Break trip will take place in Dallas.

Participants will depart Wichita State on Sunday, March 15 and return late on Friday, March 21. We will stay at Camp Carter in Dallas-Fort Worth. Throughout the week, we will volunteer with organizations that focus on food and hunger, youth and mentoring, environment and sustainability, and animal welfare. On the final day, we will have a tour day, and students can choose between spending the day at Six Flags or touring Dallas museums.

The cost of the trip is $150 per student, which includes transportation, lodging, food, programming and the final day of fun activities. Meals during travel to and from Kansas to Texas are not included. The full payment of $150 must be received by Jan. 9.

Trip participants are required to attend a series of three one-hour meetings before the trip and one post-trip seminar. Participants who are unable to attend the meetings must meet individually with the civic engagement coordinator to get the information that they have missed. The meetings will explore issues related to the service projects through readings and discussions, as well as provide logistical information about the trip.

Selection will be based on the application and reflection statements. Participants will be chosen anonymously by a selection committee of staff from Student Engagement & Belonging.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. Applications should be submitted to the SEB office in RSC 216 or emailed to Loren.Belew@wichita.edu. Participants will be notified by Friday, Dec. 5.