Author: Elena Kuckelman

Attend the “Recognizing Your Limiting Beliefs” workshop hosted virtually by the Office of Online & Adult Learning at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20.

At the workshop, participants will learn to identify the limiting beliefs that may be holding them back and where they come from and using that knowledge to discover the best methods to overcome them. Leave the workshop with skills and empowering beliefs to achieve your goals.

Questions can be directed to Suzanne Bentley at suzanne.bentley@wichita.edu or 316-978-8406. If you would rather explore your limiting beliefs in person and one-on-one, contact Suzanne to schedule a time that works for you.

The Office of Online & Adult Learning is now accepting nominations for the Adult Learner of the Year (ALOTY) Awards Ceremony. The ALOTY Award is given to an adult learner in recognition of their achievements and dedication to reaching their academic goals.

Submit a nomination for the ALOTY Award.

In addition to the ALOTY Award, the ceremony will include four new awards you can nominate individuals for:

• Service Award — Recognizes an adult learner who exemplifies what it means to be service-oriented through studies, work or personal life.
• Research Award — Recognizes an adult learner who has completed exceptional work in undergraduate research.
• Applied Learning Award — Recognizes an adult learner who has excelled through their applied learning experience.
• Leadership Award — Recognizes an adult learner who exemplifies leadership, either through studies, work or personal life.

Another recognition that will be awarded is the Support System Award. This award differs from the others because the student will be the one to recognize their support system.

• Support System Award — Recognizes an adult learner’s support system that has encouraged them along their academic journey.­

Nominations for awards will be open until March 1. For any questions about the ALOTY Awards, email oal@wichita.edu or call 316-978-8325.

Adult learner getting ready to graduate in December are eligible to receive an adult learner cord at no additional charge. Cords will be handed out Nov. 15 during the Office of Online & Adult Learning’s Harvest Huddle event from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Grace Wilkie Annex.

Those unable to attend the Nov. 15 event, but would still like an adult learner cord, can email oal@wichita.edu or call 316-978-8325 to coordinate a time to pick up a cord. Students in TAP will receive their graduation cords at the pinning ceremony.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to a Halloween Open House from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31 in Grace Wilkie Annex.

Stop by the TRIO DSS Office, the Office of Online & Adult Learning, the McNair Scholars Office and the ROTC Office to enjoy spooky snacks and creepy crafts and learn more about what each office has to offer. Students are also welcome to participate in a costume contest.

Questions about the open house can be sent to TRIO DSS at 316-978-5949 or trio.dss@wichita.edu.

The Office of Online & Adult Learning welcomes adult learners to participate in the making of its cookbook. Send in your favorite recipes, tips and tricks to be featured in both the online and print versions of the book.

All recipes sent in are appreciated, however, to match the busy, diverse lifestyles of adult learners, quick, easy and healthy recipes are recommended. Those who submit a recipe will also be entered in a raffle to win a hard copy of the cookbook.

Reach out to Online & Adult Learning for questions at adultlearning@wichita.edu or 316-978-8325.

The Office of Online & Adult Learning understands the challenges faced by adult students who are raising children while working toward a degree. In honor of National Student Parent Month, OAL would like to highlight some of the resources available to parents on campus:

• Baby changing stations
• Child Development Center
• Lactation and Wellness Rooms
• Community Garden
• Other activities available for children

The Office of Online & Adult Learning has transitioned back into its semester hours, remaining open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays.

If you are an adult learner and have an evening class or need a space to study after offices close at 5 p.m., stop by the office and grab some coffee while you are here.

Adult learners at Wichita State are encouraged to apply for the Osher Reentry Scholarship for the fall 2023 semester.

Scholarships of up to $2,500 per year ($1,250 per semester) are available for qualified candidates. Applications close Saturday, July 1.

To qualify, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be a fully admitted WSU student pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.
• Have experienced a cumulative gap in education of at least five years.
• Complete and file a FAFSA and submit a copy of the results, called the “Student Aid Report” (SAR).
• More than 50% of their classes need to be hybrid or in-person. Fully online students are not eligible.

To learn more, visit the website or call 316-978-8325.

On March 9, the Office of Online & Adult Learning held its annual Adult Learning of the Year (ALOTY) ceremony where it recognized an outstanding adult learner and both a community partner and Wichita State partner who have supported adult learners on campus.

• The ALOTY winner was Jennifer Johnson, a junior in the elementary education program, who is balancing a heavy course load, an internship helping a fourth grade classroom and raising three young children. Jennifer was recognized for exceling in her classes and for being a dedicated student, exemplifying what it means to be both an adult learner and a Shocker.
• The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning received the community partner award in recognition of its continued assistance and expertise of adult students.
• Lynette Murphy, senior director of development for the Fairmount College and Honors College at the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement, received the WSU partner award in honor of her going above and beyond for adult learners at WSU.

The Office of Online & Adult Learning congratulates this year’s ALOTY award winners.

The Office of Online and Adult Learning has started its new podcast, Shockers Learning Out Loud (SLOL), which features special guests, resources, tips and inspiring stories.

Hosted by Dr. Pam O’Neal, associate director of student engagement, and Dr. Amber Anderson, associate director of retention, the SLOL podcast aims to support online and adult learners and help lead them to success.

Tune in anywhere podcasts are available or go to the website to listen to the episodes released so far.