Category: Kudos

Chase Billingham, associate professor and graduate program coordinator in the Department of Sociology, has been selected as the next book review editor for Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains.

The journal, produced at Kansas State University in collaboration with the Kansas Historical Foundation, is an esteemed, peer-reviewed outlet for new research on the history of Kansas and the surrounding Plains region of the United States. Billingham has previously published two articles on the history of Wichita in the journal.

The College of Health Professions (CHP) recently hosted the second annual Kansas High School Health Science Teacher’s Workshop, providing high school teachers with educational opportunities and insights into the latest industry topics.

The workshop featured speakers Dr. Sam Smith and Dr. Jennifer James from CHP, as well as Dr. Bassem Chehab and Dr. Brett Grizzell, leaders of the groundbreaking structural heart program at Ascension Via Christi, who presented about their innovative work on heart valve replacement technology and robotic surgery. The workshop also included a panel of Ascension Via Christi associates, led by former Shocker Ron Baker, who shared information about job opportunities, shadowing opportunities and community outreach.

Participants had the chance to tour cutting-edge laboratories in the CHP, including the Gross Anatomy Lab, Human Simulation Lab and School of Nursing Simulation Lab. The teachers received valuable resources and information to take back to their classrooms, with the goal of sparking interest in healthcare careers among young students.

Dr. Shuang Gu, associate professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department in the College of Engineering, contributed authorship to the cover article “Sustainable waste-nitrogen upcycling enabled by low-concentration nitrate electrodialysis and high-performance ammonia electrosynthesis” in the July 2023 issue of EES Catalysis.

The article was also co-authored by Pouya Ammari-Azar, a Wichita State Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering, as well as faculty from Iowa State University.

Ashlee Villarreal, one of 18 students awarded the Rudd Scholarship, was featured in USA Today. Ashlee, Garden City High School grad, will start classes at Wichita State in fall 2023.

Each Rudd Scholar will receive a full-ride scholarship, which includes tuition, fees, on-campus housing, and considerable networking and coaching support along the way.

KSN featured Suspenders4Hope’s new Hope Kits in partnership with Comcare Community Crisis Center, providing them with a trial run of 250 of the Hope Kits. The kits are designed to bridge the gap between someone’s emergency psychiatric care and their next outpatient visit.

Suspenders4Hope launched in 2015 with the goal of providing mental health resources to WSU’s student body. Suspenders4Hope is a comprehensive, strategic approach to promoting mental health wellness, preventing suicide, substance abuse and sexual violence. By showcasing real stories of hope, help-seeking and resiliency, Suspenders4Hope aims to increase connections and end the stigma surrounding mental health.

Jolynn Dowling, associate educator, and Janice M. Riordan, Distinguished Professor in Maternal Child Health in the School of Nursing, contributed authorship to the article “Electronic Monitoring of Mom’s Schedule (eMOMS): A Qualitative Study of Experiences in a Lifestyle Change Program with Lactation Support” in the American Journal of Health Promotion.

A subscription may be required to view the article.

Dowling will also co-present with the lead investigator on the topic at the International Lactation Consultant Association Conference in August.

KWCH spoke with Calvin Cupp, head coach for Shocker Rowing, who explained the history behind the Shocker Rowing program and how it has evolved. Cupp also shared what the program offers to students and the community, including the Boats & Bikes business.

KWCH also spoke with students in the program, who discussed the experience and their motivations to join the team.

“That student experience as an athletic experience is still at the core of it,” Cupp said. “… We’re pretty integrated into what’s happening here (in Wichita), because we want to make an impact, not just with our student athletes, but also with our community and the citizens.”

KWCH featured Wichita State’s Varsity Esports program in its weekend broadcast.

KWCH spoke with Travis Yang, director of esports, and students about the opportunities the program provides and what the future holds for esports.

“The stigma used to be, kid’s playing games in the basement and needs to get out. These days, when paired with a varsity program that has the structure and keeps students accountable, it has a lot of potential,” Yang told KWCH

Quang Nguyen, formally with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, has joined the Student Affairs marketing department as its assistant director of marketing and special projects.

Student Affairs would like a hand in welcoming Quang to its team.

Usha Haley, W. Frank Barton Distinguished Chair in International Business and Kansas Faculty of Distinction, was recently covered in the Financial Times on an academic scandal concerning research credibility and fraud, using her knowledge as a leading global expert on the impact and worth of academic research.

Haley has recently published articles on the subject:

• Triviality and the Search for Scholarly Impact in the Organization Studies
• Measuring Societal Impact in Business and Management Research, with Andrew Jack at the Financial Times, a Sage White Paper