Category: Featured Stories

Wichita State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship, after five years with the College of Innovation and Design (CID), is reintegrating with the Barton School of Business. This move aims to enhance alignment with Wichita State’s initiatives in bolstering entrepreneurship programs, providing immersive student experiences, engaging with the entrepreneurial community, and meeting the needs of aspiring and current entrepreneurs.

“The Center for Entrepreneurship transitioning to the Barton School of Business is a strategic move that aligns with our shared vision of fostering a culture of entrepreneurship across Wichita State University. As CID focuses on deepening its strength in managing and developing emerging technologies, we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with the Barton School to empower the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders,” said Dr. Jeremy Patterson, dean of the College of Innovation and Design.

The Center for Entrepreneurship will continue striving for excellence by integrating its programming and mission into the entrepreneurial academic and research pursuits of the Barton School and across the WSU campus. Integration with the Barton School has the potential to enhance its position as a premier entrepreneurial center and will facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration with other colleges on campus, including the College of Innovation and Design. The center will continue its pivotal support of students and founders in the early startup phase of their ventures, while building on the continued development of the existing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Beyond the classrooms and lecture halls, Wichita State is a hub of vibrant culture, entertainment and adventure all year round. Whether you’re a local in search of new experiences or a visitor eager to immerse yourself in the Shocker spirit, WSU offers a plethora of activities that make the summer months shine.

You are hereby invited to a Wichita State-cation: From intriguing museums and picturesque selfie spots to exhilarating sporting events, captivating fine arts performances and delectable dining options, Wichita State is the place to be. Join us and see why our campus is a welcoming, must-visit destination.

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 Office of Financial Aid is being recognized for its efforts in alleviating financial stressors for students and being advocates for mental health awareness on campus and in the community. Hear from Sheelu Surender, executive director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, on how the Office of Financial Aid is supporting mental health.

Wichita State University has signed a new admissions partnership agreement with the Kansas Health Science Center-Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KHSC-KansasCOM) that will help address Kansas’ physician shortage. This partnership comes on the heels of the recent groundbreaking ceremony of the Wichita Biomedical Campus, a collaboration between WSU and the University of Kansas, adjacent to KHSC-KansasCOM.

The agreement allows a select number of Wichita State students to accelerate their career path with a 3+4 program. Qualified students who meet admission requirements will have the opportunity to begin their first year of medical school in their senior year of undergraduate studies at WSU. After completing their first year at KHSC-KansasCOM, they will receive their bachelor’s degree from WSU, thereby having the opportunity to complete both undergraduate work and a medical degree in seven years.

Wichita State University recently won a $10,000 prize in the inaugural Accelerate Pitch Competition that will help the university build on its success with Shocker Pre-Season programs by offering adult learners a chance to start the school year confident and connected.

WSU’s Office of Online and Adult Learning will use the prize from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) and Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU) to fund Shocker Pre-Season programs to ensure adult learners have a smooth transition into the university through an adult learner-specific summer bridge program.

“The data shows Shocker Pre-Season programs make a significant impact on student success,” said Brett Bruner, assistant vice president student success and persistence at Wichita State. “Our Shocker Pre-Season programs are events that prepare new Shockers for the academic year. We focus on building social and academic connections and building resource awareness.”

Wichita State University graduate student and high jumper Marissa Jensen loves staying busy, so she starts her days at 4 a.m.

She works as a coach at a cross-fit gym from 5 to 7 a.m. Then it is time for class and studies. Track and field practices takes up her afternoons.

Wichita State is one of 10 teams that advanced to the spring semester competition in the NASA SUITS (Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students) challenge. Teams are tasked to design and build an augmented reality heads-up display for astronauts on missions to Mars, as well as a web browser user interface for local mission control.

Yumi Kikuchi attended an information session in Devlin Hall for the NASA SUITS design challenge last fall. She considered passing on the opportunity.  

“I was like, ‘Wow, this sounds like a lot of work,’” she said. “I’m glad that didn’t discourage me.”  

Kikuchi, a graduate student in Wichita State University’s Master of Innovation Design (MID) program, is now co-leader of the nine-student group. She considers the experience an essential part of her time in the MID program. 

As Wichita State grad student Sai Karthik Garnepudi watched the Wichita State University Cricket Club grow in these past several years, the lack of a convenient place to play has limited its potential.

That has changed with the opening of a field at Dr. Glen Dey Park, located about two miles from campus, at 2801 N. Grove. The club held a groundbreaking in April and an opening ceremony May 17. Garnepudi, who is working on his doctoral degree in cybersecurity, said he hopes to hold matches starting this month.

Garnepudi started the project last fall with WSU Campus Recreation and Wichita Park & Recreation Director Troy Houtman. Campus Recreation paid for the concrete pad at the new field. Cricket is played on a circular area and requires a diameter of roughly 150 yards.

As humanity begins to return to the moon and farther beyond, new technologies will need to be invented to assist in sustainable, long-term human-helmed missions. To help develop this technology, NASA has awarded a $133,342 grant to Wichita State University to research a more cost-effective detector for harmful radiation from space.

The grant is part of a nearly $1.5 million program that is funding 24 projects across 21 organizations and institutions. Awardees will also work with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama as part of the grant.

The military brought Morgan Campbell and her family to Wichita, and she decided to make it her home. She has earned a master’s degree in social work, and she plans “to promote safety, growth and opportunities” for families in her practice.