Author: Sara Ornelas

I am humbled and appreciative of the confidence that the Kansas Board of Regents and the presidential search committee have shown in appointing me as the 15th president of this great institution. It is truly an honor.

But I didn’t come to this presidency overnight or alone. It’s only through the support of my family and the Wichita State community that I’ve grown into this job, and it’s with that same support and spirit that, together, we are primed to move the university forward together to become the premier urban-based public research university — not only in Kansas, but also the nation.

Through the individual talents of each of you and our collective determination, we can achieve our goals of making education accessible and affordable; supporting Kansas businesses with a talent pipeline that meets employers’ needs; and increasing the economic prosperity with higher education that benefits the Kansas economy. 

Our potential and growth as an institution is fueled by our audacity and ambition, and it is through our tenacity and persistence that we will succeed in accomplishing our vision to be one of the nation’s most innovative research universities, known for providing impactful student experiences and driving prosperity for the people and communities we serve.

I look forward to the many conversations that I’ll have with each of you and all of Shocker Nation during the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to share your ideas. Your support and insight mean everything to me and to the future of Wichita State University.

Go Shockers!

Paul Leeker, from Colwich, enjoyed his professors in the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs and their assistance in preparing him for a career as a public administrator. Paul is one of more than 3,500 students eligible for spring 2021 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.

The Kansas Board of Regents has announced a meeting of the board at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 6, in the Rhatigan Student Center’s Shirley Beggs Ballroom (third floor).

The board plans to hold a public vote to name the next president of Wichita State University. Media are invited to attend the meeting, where the president-elect will make an acceptance speech before moving to RSC Room 319 (McKay Room) to take questions from the media.

The announcement will also be streamed live at wsu.news/president-elect.

As of today, Strategic Communications has switched to the updated format of Campus Connection. You might not notice much difference, but read below to learn more about some upgraded features.

• Those who submit items to the newsletters will now have more control over the content-creation process, including being able to add links, bullet points and notes to the Strategic Communications staff.
• Each submission to the newsletter will now live on its own web page, so you can share a submission with whomever you want.

Twelve years following receiving her Master’s in Business Administration, Janet Federico decided to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Wichita State after rediscovering herself as an author, speaker and illustrator later her career.

Janet also holds an associate’s degree in general studies and a bachelor’s degree in applied management and business. She will graduate with her Master’s of Fine Arts in creative writing in May 2022.

“I fell in love with writing when I started writing down the stories I was telling my daughter,” Federico said. “I started drawing pictures with the stories and creating books for her.”

The Student Government Association is excited to announce that we will designate Sept.13-17 as SGA Diversity Week. There will be student and department led programming, events and discussions highlighting the diverse student experience on our campus.

Calling any departments, student organizations, or individuals who would like to host an event during Diversity Week. Fill out this application to be considered.

Any and all experiences are welcomed. For more information, please contact sga.pubrelations@wichita.edu.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has launched its Executive-in-Residence program. This program will provide Barton School students, faculty and the Wichita community with vital perspectives and knowledge from industry leaders. Tom Gentile, president and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems, will serve as the program’s first resident for the fall 2021 semester.

“The wisdom of industry leaders is so vast and inspirational,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business at Wichita State. “This program will tap into that knowledge. We’re honored to have Spirit AeroSystems CEO Tom Gentile as our first resident. His insights will be an unprecedented and valuable resource to our students and faculty.”

The comments from the SPTE-R for fall 2020 and spring 2021 early sessions have been mailed. The departments should receive them early next week. Check with your department’s administrator if you have been waiting on these comments.

Applications for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) program are due on May 14, 2021.

Please email proposals@wichita.edu as soon as possible if you are interested in applying, so that a grant specialist will be assigned to assist you.

DURIP is designed to improve the capabilities of accredited U.S. institutions of higher education to conduct research and to educate scientists and engineers in areas important to national defense, by providing funds for the acquisition of research equipment or instrumentation.

Bust some stress with Wellness Services during Finals Week. With free massages, popcorn, bubble wrap, bubbles, and more swag, stress doesn’t stand a chance. Stop by the Heskett center from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, May 10, Wednesday, May 12, and Friday, May 14.