Author: Quang Nguyen

Kick off the start of InspirASIAN Month and join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) for free boba at the second annual Let’s Par-TEA Boba Social from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at Kung Fu Tea, 1625 S. Rock, Suite 129.

Indulge in delicious boba while networking and fostering positive relationships with students, faculty, staff and community leaders. Limit one boba drink with one standard topping per person with valid Shocker ID.

Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) for an opportunity to meet its newest member of the team, Harold Wallace III. Harold will serve as the director for ODI.

The meet and greet is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 1 in 265 Rhatigan Student Center for students, faculty, staff and community members to get to know Harold. Light refreshments will be served.

Harold Wallace III joins Wichita State as the new director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective Feb. 19. Harold is a proud Los Angeles native and is rejoining his alma mater from Austin Peay State University, where he served as the director of the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center. In addition, he also served as the assistant director of Student Diversity Programs at Pittsburg State University.

He has created and implemented programming to enhance the atmosphere of diversity on the various campuses he worked at. During his time at Pittsburg State, he was a professor of freshmen experience and academic advisor for the undeclared student population.

His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies, business and sociology from WSU and a master’s degree in college student personnel from Arkansas Tech University. Harold is excited to move ODI’s mission, vision, and values and pursue inclusive excellence at WSU.

Join Tajahnaé Stocker, anti-hunger advocate, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center for a robust discussion on addressing campus hunger through policy.

Students will learn how to eradicate food insecurity and hunger in our community through policy, community mobilization and advocacy. They will participate in different conversations and learn how this can impact them and in the Shocker community.

The event is sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Kansas AppleSeed.

The Trans/Gender Non-Conforming Support Group creates a safe space for students and builds a personal support network on campus, while processing challenges in a supportive environment.

This group will be hosted from 1 to 2 p.m. every Thursday starting Feb. 16 on Zoom. To attend or to learn more about this group, email Rachel Amerson at rachel.amerson@wichita.edu.

The LGBTQ+ Support Group creates a safe space for students and builds a personal support network on campus, while processing challenges in a supportive environment.

This group will be hosted from 2 to 3 p.m. every Monday starting Feb. 13 on Zoom. To attend or to learn more about this group, email Rachel Amerson at rachel.amerson@wichita.edu.

The annual Phenomenal Women Awards recognize women for their accomplishments and contributions to the community through their scholarship, activism and commitment to excellence.

Individuals are encouraged to nominate women who have made a difference in their lives. Nominations close at 11:59 p.m. Friday, March 3.

“People, Pride & Promise: The Story of the Dockum Sit-in” is an exhibit that commemorates America’s first successful student-led lunch counter sit-in and will be displayed through Jan. 31 at the Cadman Art Gallery in the Rhatigan Student Center.

The exhibit explores how early civil rights era lunch counter protests helped shape and transform the struggles for racial equality in America. Through historical contexts and articles, it will tell the little-known story of the Dockum sit-in, as well as the story of Dr. Galyn Vesey, who was among a small group of students that led this historic protest on July 19, 1958.

Black Excellence will bring the MASTERCLASS Professional Development Workshop series to students at WSU. These workshops were designed to support the development of leadership and professional skills. The next workshop will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25 in 208 Rhatigan Student Center.

The upcoming workshop will cover cultural restoration and aims to educate and empower participants by exploring the rich history of the Black and African American communities. It will also engage participants in meaningful dialogue and activities around unique facets of culture.

Black Excellence invites students to unlock their potential by taking part in something greater.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites students, staff, faculty and community members to make its office their home away from home. Stop by its office from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 2 in 208 Rhatigan Student Center for light refreshments and to learn more about available resources and programs.