Author: Chelsea Martinez

On April 4, Dr. Linda F. Rhone, executive director of TRIO Student Support Services/College Readiness, Retention, and Graduation Programs, will receive the MO-KAN-NE (Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska) Achievers Award in Kansas City, Missouri at the annual conference. The MO-KAN-NE Achievers Award honors individuals who are outstanding former TRIO/GEAR UP participants, who have received recognition within his/her profession, or had outstanding academic achievement. They are also a person who has made a significant civic, community or professional contribution.

Dr. Linda Rhone’s career extends more than thirty-five years in academia with several full-time faculty appointments in the field of teacher education. She transitioned her extensive experience as a K-12 teacher in marginalized communities, community college instructor of social sciences for four years, and university education professor for more than 15 years to currently managing the multi-million-dollar TRIO Student Support Services federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Rhone went from assistant professor to executive director and still teaches today as adjunct professor in the graduate program at Wichita State in the College of Applied Studies and as adjunct professor in the Graduate Teacher Education Workshop program in the College of Education at Friends University.

Rhone’s experience also includes her role as lead research assistant on the $1,000,000 federal grant for Professional Development at the University of Kansas. On the Senate Floor in Topeka, Kansas, Rhone’s work to establish the Wichita Teacher’s Inquiry Group with a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation (a university and public-school partnership) was acknowledged by Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau. As the president and founder of the Kansas Teacher Inquiry Group, Rhone has transformed lives of the teachers who learned how to effectively teach populations of marginalized groups and the students who were taught by them.

Dr. Rhone holds a Ph.D. in social justice education and a Doctor of Education in curriculum and instruction. Rhone attended the University of Sheffield, the University of Kansas, West Virginia University and California State University-Los Angeles for graduate school. She earned her undergraduate degree from Wichita State. Rhone is a proud former TRIO participant.

Rhone’s platform in TRIO Student Support Services is an opportunity to continue to advocate for social justice and develop change agents. Rhone says that none of this would have been possible without the guidance of her mentors Associate Vice President for Special Programs Deltha Q. Colvin, Dr. James Rhatigan and the late Dr. Deema de Silva. The MO-KAN-NE Achievers Award further serves as a source of pride in the knowledge that MO-KAN-NE continues to make a difference in the lives of thousands of first-generation and low-income students throughout the MO-KAN-NE region and the United States.

Friday, March 1, One of the most transformational speakers in the nation will be visiting Wichita State University to talk with first-generation students about the keys to attaining career success in college and beyond from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 1 in the CAC Theater.

With one study revealing that more than 50% of college graduates are either underemployed or unemployed, Dr. Joshua Fredenburg will be visiting campus to share specific career strategies that first-generation students can use to position themselves for career success in college and beyond.

Dr. Fredenurg is a nationally acclaimed speaker, author, leadership consultant and a visionary force in personal and organizational development. With a career spanning over sixteen years, he has touched lives across 49 states and globally, delivering powerful messages on leadership, diversity and inclusion, student success and personal empowerment.

Holding a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a master’s degree from Biola University, Dr. Fredenburg combines academic rigor with real-world experience. His journey is not just marked by professional achievements but also by his profound impact on individuals and organizations.

As the president and founder of the First-Generation Student Career Conference, he has transformed the lives of thousands, especially culturally diverse and first-generation students, guiding them towards leadership excellence. Recognized for his contributions, he has received numerous accolades, including an honorary membership from Golden Key International and recognition as a Top Leader Under 40 in South Florida.

“My goal as a speaker is not only to inspire, motivate and empower students with information that will enable them to thrive, succeed and reach their fullest potential as a student, but it’s ignite the purpose in them to make a positive impact in their community, nation and world,” Dr. Fredenurg said.

The department on campus that will be hosting the event is the TRIO Student Support Services office which is led by Dr. Linda F. Rhone. Dr. Rhone and her team do an incredible job at providing excellent programming that helps first-generation students thrive, succeed, graduate and position themselves for career success in college and beyond.

To learn more about the event, contact the offices of Dr. Joshua Fredenburg by reaching out to his speaking team at 305-298-3632 or via email at dr.joshuafredenburg@gmail.com.

Faculty and staff, please refer your eligible students to TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) for additional academic services to help them graduate. SSS is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide free academic services to first-generation students, income-eligible students, and students of disability status.

Free services include individualized tutoring, academic advising, textbook loans, referrals to loan technology, FAFSA assistance, academic and life skill workshops, scholarships exclusively, and SSS student participants.

All students currently enrolled at WSU who are interested in joining the program can visit SSS office at 309 Grace Wilkie Hall, contact 316-978-3715 or visit the SSS website.

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide free academic services to a limited number of first-generation students, income-eligible students and students of disability status.

Free services include: individualized tutoring, academic advising, textbook loans, referrals to loan technology, Free Application for Federal Student Aid application assistance, academic workshops, life skill workshops, access to scholarships exclusively and SSS student participants.

All students currently enrolled at WSU students are interested in joining the program can visit SSS Office at 309 Grace Wilkie Hall 309, contact 316-978-3715 or visit the SSS website.

Student Support Services (SSS) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide free academic services to a limited number of first-generation students, limited-income students, and students with disabilities.

Some of the free services include: individualized tutoring, academic advising, textbook loans, referrals to loan technology, FAFSA application assistance, and scholarships exclusively for SSS student participants.

Currently enrolled WSU students who are interested in joining the program can visit SSS in Grace Wilkie Hall 309. Call 316-978-3715 or visit our website at www.wichita.edu/sss for more information and to apply.

Student Support Services is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide free academic services to a limited number of first-generation students, limited-income students, and students with disabilities.

Some of the free services include individualized tutoring, academic advising, textbook loans, referrals to loan technology, FAFSA application assistance, and scholarships exclusively for SSS student participants.

Currently enrolled WSU students who are interested in joining the program can visit SSS in Grace Wilkie Hall 309, call 316-978-3715 or visit our website at www.wichita.edu/sss for more information.