Category: Featured Stories

Wichita State, WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) and Wichita Public Schools (WPS) have announced a new partnership designed to strengthen the region’s teacher workforce through the launch of the Future Teacher Academy and a 2+2 pathway program.

This innovative partnership offers WPS graduates a seamless route to earn their teaching licensure. Students will complete two years at WSU Tech in the paraeducator program, then transfer to Wichita State for two additional years, all while gaining hands-on experience as paraeducators in local classrooms.

“Developing a strong, local teacher workforce is critical to the future of our region,” President Rick Muma said. “Through this partnership, we’re investing in students who will have a lasting impact on the future success of our schools and our community.”

Tayana Martin, a junior majoring in sport and leadership studies with a minor in sign language, is gaining hands-on experience as an operations specialist with Ennovar at Wichita State. A lifelong Wichitan, Tayana supports student hiring and corporate partnerships while building skills that will serve her well after graduation.

More than 5,000 Shockers each year take what they’ve learned in the classroom and transfer that knowledge into real-world environments. Applied learning — which is required for every Wichita State student — happens in offices, factories, laboratories, nonprofits, industries and companies across the globe. Students work side-by-side with seasoned professionals to ensure that they’re fully prepared to make meaningful contributions to their employers and their communities when they graduate.

Wichita State outfielder Lauren Lucas started college planning to work on the business side of professional sports. Five years later, she plans to coach softball in college.

She changed course in part due to a shoulder injury that took her off the field and into the dugout as a coach.

In the summer of 2023, she helped coach a youth team in Texas while she took time off from playing to rest her shoulder. In 2024, shoulder surgery sidelined her during Wichita State’s season. She dove into a role as an unofficial assistant coach, specializing in hitting.

Both roles taught her that she enjoyed working with young people and wanted to stay in the game. WSU coach Kristi Bredbenner and associate head coach Elizabeth Economon endorsed the plan.

“I had a conversation with Coach B last year,” Lucas said. “She said ‘You have to coach. I know you. You have to coach.’ If one of the best coaches I’ve ever played for thinks I would be a great coach, that speaks volumes to me.”

When the email notification popped up, Dr. Mary Liz Jameson, professor of biological sciences, thought there must have been a mistake. It must have been for someone else at the university or perhaps another Mary Liz at a different university.

Once the shock wore away, Jameson realized it was true: She had been elected to the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) Fellows, class of 2024, for her integrated work on entomology.

AAAS Fellows are elected for their accomplishments across multiple disciplines and fields in areas such as research and teaching. Among all the universities represented in the 2024 class, Wichita State University, an R2 institution, is surrounded by a sea of R1 institutions, as classified by the Carnegie classification.

Wichita State has appointed Dr. Sarah Beth Estes as the new dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Estes brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to student and faculty success.

Estes joins WSU from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she served as dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Education. During her tenure, she has led initiatives to enhance inclusive excellence, expand faculty research and align academic programs with workforce needs. Her leadership was instrumental in advancing student success and fostering a collaborative academic environment.

“I am honored to join the distinguished faculty, dedicated staff and innovative programs of Fairmount College,” Estes said. “The college’s long-standing tradition of excellence has been essential in shaping the future of Wichita State University and continues to be a driving force behind key initiatives, including the expansion of applied learning opportunities, the growth of the Innovation Campus and the Wichita Biomedical Campus, and the pursuit of R-1 status.”

Rowers endure hundreds of early morning hours on the river, sore muscles, blisters and long road trips in pursuit of a burst of rhythm.

For Wichita State’s rowing team in 1981, hard work, repetition and commitment came together at the perfect time at one of the sport’s most prestigious races. On May 9 that year, Wichita State’s women’s varsity four won the national rowing title at the Dad Vail Regatta on the Schuykill River in Philadelphia.

Lori (Anderson) Heger remembers the feeling in the racing shell and the music their oars and bodies created that day.

“It was unbelievable, honestly,” she said. “They say it’s like frying eggs on the hull of the boat. If you get rowing together well enough there’s like a crackling sound. I can remember we had that, and we were swinging together.”

Shocker Rowing, founded in 1975, will celebrate its 50th anniversary April 26-27 with activities honoring the history of the program at Wichita State.

Students from Wichita State University’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences got the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in their fields at the annual Kansas Academy of Science (KAS) and Central States Entomological Society (CSES) meetings April 4-5 at Friends University.

Among the students who presented, two groups were awarded first place honors for their research:

• Brooks Hartsock — graduate student in physics with Dr. Nick Solomey, professor of physics — was awarded $300 for best oral presentation by a grad student.
• Vee Disbro, junior; Syd Downey, junior; Melissa Hernández, senior; and Leónidas Reyes, senior — with Dr. Mary Liz Jameson, professor of biological sciences — were awarded $150 for best poster presentation from CSES.

Additionally, the following students presented their research at the annual meeting:

Oral presentations:

• Mason Moore, senior with Dr. Leland Russell, professor of biological sciences
• Tiffany Bass, graduate student with Russell
• Jonathan Folkerts, graduate student in physics

Posters:

• Daniel Reichart, senior with Solomey
• Theophilus Eshun, graduate student with Dr. Mark Schneegurt, professor of biological sciences
• Ethan Higginbotham, a recent graduate in physics and mathematics

Suspenders4Hope, a program developed at Wichita State University, is highlighting different departments and individuals on campus who are advocates for mental health in hopes that their stories will inspire others to continue supporting one another in the community.

The CARE Team and Student Outreach and Support (SOS) are being recognized for their proactive support for the campus community. Their work ensures students, staff and faculty alike all have the tools necessary to work and learn at their full potential. Hear from Katie Davidson, director of SOS, on how the teams are supporting mental health.

Brandon Bonta and Spencer Robarge grew up wanting to bowl for Wichita State. Now as they prepare to finish their collegiate careers as Shocker bowlers, they’re thrilled with their experience and happy to join a long line of Shockers guiding the next generation.  

“Leadership is always about, ‘How can I help the next guy up, as well as teach them the ways of Shocker bowling,’” Bonta said. “You become more of an asset to a team. Hopefully, for the guys who are here, I’ve created a path for them that can make them successful [so] they’re on the right track.” 

Robarge had a family connection to Shocker bowling. Even with that background, the transition to college challenged him. As his WSU career winds down, he savors giving advice that helps the freshmen navigate their new world, academically and athletically. 

The College of Engineering is hosting an Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGED) event, commonly known as Girl Day, for high school students from Wichita and the surrounding area. The event will be from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 in the Rhatigan Student Center.

“The purpose of an annual IGED event is to inspire and empower students to pursue careers in STEM fields,” said Ana Montanez Chacon, the director of student support for the College of Engineering. “Surveys after the event last year showed that out of 140 students who attended, more than half ultimately pursued engineering or computing at WSU.”

WSU is planning to have about 200 participants for the IGED event. The students will participate in hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities, listen to inspirational speakers, and meet mentors from the engineering and computing industries, including local professionals, WSU faculty and students. There will also be an opportunity fair featuring companies from STEM fields. Breakfast pastries and lunch will be provided.