WU supporting First-Gen Shockers. WU wearing a first-gen Shockers t-shirt.

University Business recently featured an article acknowledging Wichita States efforts to meet the needs of first-generation students, with many of the initiatives made by the First-Generation Coordinating Council (FGCC).

The FGCC is composed of Wichita State individuals who are involved in first-gen efforts that support current university activities, explore opportunities for departmental collaboration and look for opportunities to enhance the campus-wide approach to serve first-gen Shockers.

November CARE Data is written on the top of the image with 2 squares below. The left square contains the words "Academic Year, August 1st through November 30th" underneath that it states "2021 through 2022, 482" and then below that it states "2020 through 2021, 302" below that is a graphic of three people with "59.60%" increase written on top. For the right square, it first states "Month of November" with November 1st through November 30th

Recently the Wichita State’s CARE Team reached an all-time high for overall reports, with an increase of 59.6 % for the academic year. For November, there was an increase of 58.82% reports. The CARE Team exists to support students through difficulty by connecting them with the resources and help they need to succeed academically and personally.

Thank you CARE Team for all the hard work you do for Wichita State students.

Rosella Regier, a client at the Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, recently collaborated with her husband Harold Regier, to publish a book about their journey with speech therapy. In the book they share about their positive experience working with graduate students and supervisors at the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic to gain better communication following a diagnosis of Aphasia, a language disorder.

Rosella Regier, a client at the Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, recently collaborated with her husband Harold Regier, to publish a book about their journey with speech therapy. In the book they share about their positive experience working with graduate students and supervisors at the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic to gain better communication following a diagnosis of Aphasia, a language disorder.

Rosella and Harold have also created a technique called “Aphasia Friendly Readings” that is introduced in the book and includes scripts to assist individuals who would like to try the communication method. The technique is being researched in the Clinic by Dr. Erin O’Bryan, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and several clients have seen the benefits of this approach to increase conversation.

This book, a labor of love and source of inspiration, and is available to purchase on Amazon:

Picture of Jessica Provines.

Jessica Provines, chief psychologist and assistant vice president for wellness at Wichita State, was quoted in a Chronicle of Higher Education article about counselor staffing during the pandemic.

For decades, a growing number of students with psychiatric and neurodiverse histories, conditions, and medications have been enrolling in college. From an access standpoint, that’s been terrific. From a counseling standpoint, however, it has meant a professional state of siege.

Honoree information, photos and video from the Service Recognition 2021 event held Oct. 25 at Charles Koch Arena are now available at the Service Recognition website. The event honored employees who reached their milestone service between the dates of Sept. 2, 2020, and Sept. 1, 2021.

Dr. Ted Bolema, associate professor of economics and executive director of the Institute of the Study of Economic Growth, was featured in Truth in Accounting’s Morning Call blog on Dec. 2. Bolema, along with Dr. Eileen Norcross, the vice president of policy research and a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, recently published the article “Budget boost over a fiscal cliff: States surf a federal windfall”. The article was picked up by a variety of papers, including the Denver Gazette and Washington Examiner.

Truth in Accounting is is a nonpartisan organization with a mission “to educate and empower citizens with understandable, reliable, and transparent government financial information.”

Congratulations, Alicia! Congratulations to Alicia Sanchez, assistant dean of students and director, for being recognized as a recipient for Women Who Lead in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion by the Wichita Business Journal.
Congratulations to Alicia Sanchez, assistant dean of students and director, who was recognized as a recipient for Women Who Lead in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion by the Wichita Business Journal. She is one of the leading top women professionals who lead in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at Wichita State University and in the community.
 

Scott Miller, chair of the Aerospace Engineering Department in the WSU College of Engineering, has been selected to hold the Emylou Keith and Betty Dutcher Faculty of Distinction Professorship at Wichita State University.

The professorship was endowed by Emylou Keith in 2004 to honor her sister, Betty Dutcher, upon her death. Both women were graduates of Wichita State. Keith died in 2017.

“To be selected for this honor is amazing,” Miller said. “I’m surrounded by so many dedicated, successful and hardworking faculty and colleagues. It’s nice to be supported and recognized by them. Although I never met the benefactors, I understand they were special people. I’ll do my best to honor their gift and intent.”

Miller has been Aerospace Engineering chair since 2004 and a professor at Wichita State since 1988. He is a senior fellow for the National Institute for Aviation Research. He also is director of the NASA in Kansas program, a consortium of universities and science museums that conduct science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-based education and research. He earned his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University.

Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Shirley Lefever made the appointment based on a recommendation from the WSU Council of Deans. In part, their letter stated: “Dr. Miller is a recognized leader in engineering, aerospace education and research. He is a highly respected and awarded aerospace engineer across the region and nation. He has made a tremendous impact on students, faculty and Kansas STEM education and research over the last 15 years.”

The professorship previously was held by Victor Isakov, professor of mathematics, who died in May 2021.

Debra Franklin, associate vice president for Strategic Initiatives at Wichita State, was recognized during an Advanced Robotics Manufacturing Institute (ARM) Annual Member Meeting Nov. 16. Franklin was one of the first two honored as part of ARM’s new Champions program.

The ARM Institute is the nation’s leading collaborative in robotics and workforce innovation, working at the confluence of industry, government and academia. Structured as a public-private partnership, the ARM Institute and its member organizations catalyze robotic technologies and education solutions to strengthen the U.S. industrial base and secure U.S. manufacturing resiliency.

Wichita State University’s partnership with ARM in July has resulted in the Department of Engineering Technology being among the first programs in the nation to earn an ARM endorsement for their mechatronics track – a certification that will translate to stronger job prospects for graduates.

The Office of Disability Services would like to recognize and thank the student note-takers who shared notes with students who have a note-taking accommodation. These note-takers have worked diligently to help their fellow Shockers.

Please join us in recognizing the following students: Allison Campbell, Cadence Davis, Elizabeth Dickerson, Jorge Godinez, Sabrina Gooch, Madison McClain, Jaycie Nelson, Thu Nguyen, Jaden Nola, Grace Peterson, Megan Reuter, Justin Swafford, Kyran Crist, Katelyn Williams and Ivanka Mukadi.