Author: Sara Ornelas

The WSU Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) has hired Courtney McHenry as its new executive director. He will begin in the role Monday, Jan. 9.

McHenry comes to WSU from Ohio after serving as the City of Columbus’ Department of Public Safety EEO compliance officer and assistant safety director. He has also served as acting director and Title IX coordinator for Florida A&M University and senior deputy Title IX coordinator for Florida International University. McHenry is currently pursuing a doctorate in ethical leadership, which he anticipates completing in May.

The OIEC is focused on advancing equal opportunity and inclusion, eliminating harassment and discrimination based on a protected class, and cultivating the benefits of diversity within the university. It houses the offices of Title IX and EEO.

Join President Rick Muma and his team as they prepare future Shockers for a lifetime of success. The President’s Team is raising money for the United Way’s Coaching for Literacy initiative, which puts books and supplies into the hands of USD 259 students.

Reading helps children build cognitive skills, gain a deeper understanding of the world, improve their concentration, and fuel their imagination. As an educational driver for the state of Kansas, Wichita State is committed to helping students of all ages achieve success and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Tune in to KMUW 89.1 from 7 to 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, to hear President Rick Muma and First Gentleman Rick Case as they take part in the radio station’s year-end fundraiser.

Listeners who donate $75 or more will receive a fun pair of KMUW socks as a thank-you gift; and for every donation, McClelland Sound will donate a pair of warm socks to neighbors in need.

Catch the action on 89.1 FM or online at www.kmuw.org.

Hello, fellow Shocker family! 

Earlier this fall, I announced that all benefits-eligible employees were being provided with two personal days to use during the upcoming campus shutdown. 

I’m pleased to now announce that — in alignment with the other Regents universities — WSU is providing benefits-eligible employees with two more personal days away from work, for a total of four. 

The two new days — as well as the two previously announced days — can be used any time between now and Jan. 31, 2023.  

Please note this is a change from the previous announcement, meaning you have four personal days now to use for either the campus shutdown or another time in the month of January. 

The days will be listed as “Additional Personal Days-2022” when you complete your payroll. 

See these frequently asked questions for more information on your leave days. 

I hope you enjoy this extra time, which is no doubt well-deserved! 

Thank every one of you for all you do. 

Go Shockers! 

Campus Connection is a weekly newsletter to share Wichita State University news with our Innovation Campus partners. It’s also an opportunity for our innovation partners to share news with each other — including events, employee profiles, research projects or awards. 

Click here to submit an item for Campus Connection. If you don’t have a myWSU ID, click on the black box that reads “No myWSU ID,” and register as a user. 

If you have any questions about how to submit an item, contact strategic.comm@wichita.edu.

Almost 1,300 students are eligible to participate in Wichita State University’s 125th fall commencement ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 in Charles Koch Arena.

All graduates will walk across the stage and be individually recognized. Doctoral candidates will be hooded at this ceremony.

Dr. Mona Nemer will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. An honorary degree is an exceptional honor bestowed upon a person without fulfillment of the usual requirements. It is conferred only upon persons of notable intellectual, scholarly, professional, creative achievement or service to humanity consistent with the endeavors of WSU.

Just in time for the surge of respiratory illnesses flooding the state, Wichita State University’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab has announced it will extend free RSV, influenza and COVID (RIC) testing through March 31, 2023.

The MDL has been providing public testing for COVID since October 2020, and the triple-virus RIC test was added to the MDL’s capabilities in December 2021. All MDL testing costs have been covered through CARES funding from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Each week, Shocker Athletics provides an update on the latest results, upcoming events and notable moments in WSU sports history.

Wichita State University earned status as an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution when fall 2022 enrollment numbers show that 16% of students identify as Hispanic.

That is an important milestone on the way to the university’s goal of reaching the 25% necessary to earn the federal government’s designation as an HSI by the end of this decade.

The journey to that goal, however, is about much more than numbers. As Wichita State attracts and retains Hispanic students, its ability to help all students will improve.

“We are putting a lot of emphasis on the word ‘serving,’” said Executive Vice President and Provost Shirley Lefever. “It’s not simply about increasing the number of Hispanic students here. It’s really about what are we doing to make sure our students are successful here at WSU.”

Wichitans voted, and Wichita State won several top honors for The Wichita Eagle’s Best of Wichita awards.

• Best college or university
• Best audiology and hearing center for the WSU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.
• Best childcare for the WSU Child Development Center

To read the full list of results, visit www.BestofWichitaKS.com.