Category: News

Wichita State is excited to announce that the State of Kansas Applied Learning Funds are now open for applications for the 2026 fiscal year.

Who can apply?

WSU colleges and departments are invited to submit proposals. Special attention will be given to programs that have traditionally lacked access to paid applied learning opportunities.

What are the funding priorities?

• Areas of greatest need: Special attention will be given to programs that have traditionally lacked access to paid applied learning opportunities and where further development of a talent pipeline is needed for the Kansas workforce.
• Academic alignment: The work-based experience should connect with your academic program, ensuring students are building valuable bridges between theory and practice.
• Data-driven approach: The ability to collect data on your program’s effectiveness is crucial. This helps ensure these funds have a lasting positive impact on student success.

To submit your proposal, visit wichita.edu/ALfund.

Faculty members passionate about student recruitment are invited to apply for the 2025-26 Recruitment Faculty Fellows program. Applications are open now through Friday, April 25.

Faculty Fellows collaborate with the Office of Admissions to support recruitment efforts, engaging with prospective students both in-person and virtually. They also serve as advocates within their colleges, helping to inform others about admissions initiatives.

To learn more and apply, visit wichita.edu/recruitmentfacultyfellow. For questions, contact Kayla Klein, director of communications for Undergraduate Admissions, at kayla.klein@wichita.edu.

The College of Fine Arts Advisory Board will hold its next meeting from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Friday, April 11. The meeting will take place on campus. The college has launched the board for the first time in over a decade.

The College of Fine Arts Advisory Board is composed of distinguished arts professionals, industry leaders and advocates for arts education. The board plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission and vision of the college by fostering community connections, providing mentorship opportunities for students and enhancing career pathways for aspiring artists. Through strategic guidance and interdisciplinary collaboration, the board contributes to the growth of a vibrant and inclusive arts community at local, national and global levels.

This meeting will focus on key initiatives aimed at strengthening arts education and promoting innovative artistic expression. Discussions will include updates on community engagement projects, opportunities for student mentorship and strategies to elevate the college’s reputation within the creative industries.

For additional information about the College of Fine Arts Advisory Board, go to the Advisory Board page to see the newest cohort of board members.

Cory Newen, a senior human resource management major, is working with Red Cross to host a blood drive on campus in honor of his late daughter, Iman Newen, who passed away Jan. 17 at nine months old.

Iman was hospitalized at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, and Cory Newen and the rest of Iman’s family found hope when she received a blood donation. Now, Cory wants to pass that hope along to others.

“One day, someone, somewhere donated blood to Kansas City and it went to my daughter. That gave my wife and I hope,” Cory said. “I would like to help instill that faith and hope in other families.”

Cory is planning this blood drive with members of his team in his Building Remarkable Teams course as part of his major. The donation times are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 in the Heskett Center.

To donate, visit redcrossblood.org, enter sponsor code “WICHITA STATE” and schedule a time to donate.

Donors will receive a $15 gift card by email, plus a chance to win a $5,000 prize.

The Barton School of Business has appointed Erin Cummings to its Dean’s Advisory Board. Cummings is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor and the author of “The Possibility Project: A Guided Journal for Creating What’s Possible.” She recently launched Armine + Ambrose, a semi-fine jewelry brand.

“Erin is an unwavering force for positive change and has already played a pivotal role in shaping key programs and organizations within the Barton School,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “Her addition to the board will greatly contribute to strengthening the student experience, fostering student success, promoting entrepreneurship, and enhancing alumni engagement. This will significantly deepen the connection between students and the wealth of opportunities available to them both during their time at Barton and beyond.”

Erin Cummings is an accomplished entrepreneur, angel investor, author and dedicated advocate for empowering future leaders. A proud alumna of Wichita State, Erin, with her husband Kyle, created the Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund, providing students with hands-on experience in managing investment portfolios. She also launched the Mentor Pilot Program, fostering meaningful connections between students and industry professionals, and currently serves as the President of the Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board, contributing her insights to shape the Barton School of Business’s strategic direction.

The Barton School of Business is pleased to announce that Jeff Johnson has joined its Dean’s Advisory Board.

Johnson is the president of Flint Hills National Golf Club and brings with him extensive experience in business leadership. Prior to joining Flint Hills National in 2003, he served as an investment advisor with Raymond James Financial Services.

“Jeff’s energy, enthusiasm, and candor will be a valuable addition to the Dean’s Advisory Board,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “He is a smart, engaging presence who will help elevate the Barton School to new heights.”

As president of Flint Hills National, Johnson plays a key role in member recruitment, retention and generating operational revenue for the club. Also, he is part-owner of several restaurants in Lawrence, Manhattan, Wichita and parts of Texas.

Student Health Services has released its April 2, 2025 edition of the myShockerhealth newsletter. The bimonthly newsletter will highlight a variety of topics in health education and promotion of wellness.

The edition covers the following topics:

• Unprotected sex and STI testing
• Free sexually transmitted illnesses (STI) testing
• Meet the new WASAC student advocate
• March 30 is National Bipolar Awareness Day
• Employee Corner: event opportunities
• Salt intake and blood pressure

Take a look at the Shocker Career Accelerator’s 2023-24 annual report. As Shocker Career Accelerator reflects on the 2023-24 academic year, it is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of students, employer partners and the team.

At the heart of everything Shocker Career Accelerator does is the mission to empower Shockers with the skills, experiences and connections they need to thrive in their career journey and beyond. It also wants to express its gratitude to partners and Wichita State faculty and staff.

Due to the increase of students bringing in cell phones and other materials that go against testing integrity, OSAT has modified its testing policies. Starting April 7, OSAT will implement the following policies:

• Examinees when checking in at the front desk must provide OSAT staff with the course prefix, course number, CRN number, test name/number and instructor’s name to ensure that the examinee is taking the correct test. If the examinee does not know the information, then they can pull it up on Blackboard.
• Examinees will be monitored by camera while in the testing room. Any appearance of cheating will be investigated and reported to the instructor and to Student Conduct.
• Examinees must present proper, physical, valid ID before entering the testing room and after testing. Physical IDs must be kept on the examinees’ testing surfaces (desks) and be visible to proctors and the camera system throughout testing
• Examinees will be wanded with a metal detecting wand before entering the testing room (unless there is a documented disability in which it would do harm).
• Examinees will raise slacks/pants legs/long skirts just above their ankles and pull sleeves up (if long sleeves are worn) prior to every entry into the testing room.
• Examinees will empty and turn out all pockets in clothing worn into the testing room prior to every entry into the testing room to confirm that they have no prohibited items.
• Examinees will be asked to pull their hair back from their ears so OSAT staff can verify that earbuds are not in the examinee’s ears.
• Examinees leaving the testing room to go to the bathroom (on the first floor near the OSAT office) will have to sign in and out at the OSAT front desk. If the bathrooms on the first floor are being cleaned, then the examinee will advise an OSAT staff member that the first-floor bathroom is being cleaned. An OSAT staff member will then escort examinee to the second-floor bathroom. The examinee will then be re-wanded, etc., before they enter the testing room.
• Examinees are responsible for supplying materials specified by the instructor (e.g., blue books, graphing paper, calculators, etc.) as required for the test. OSAT will provide writing utensils and computer access as appropriate.
• Examinees should ask any questions they have before beginning a test.
• If an examinee is late for a testing appointment, he or she may be asked either to sign a waiver of time (opt-out form) or to reschedule the test for another date. Examples include an OSAT-registered student testing in a group space rather than a private room if a private room is their accommodation. Another example would be a student appearing late for an exam and receiving a shorter time for their appointment, as the office closes at 5 p.m.
• Examinees are not allowed to bring unauthorized items into the testing area. While not an exhaustive list, the following items are not permitted in the testing room, and you will need to leave them in your OSAT locker, unless you have the permission of the instructor in writing or an OSAT accommodation. OSAT staff will examine the object before use during the test.
  • Backpacks, purses/handbags, wallets
  • Calculators/laptops/other electronic devices *
  • Cameras or recording devices
  • Cell phones and wireless communication devices of any kind
  • Flash drives *
  • Listening devices (radios, headphones, recorders) *
  • ChapStick/lip balm/makeup
  • Food or drink * (will be examined by OSAT staff)
  • Watches of any kind (there are clocks in each testing room)
  • Wrist bands/sports bands/bracelets
  • Hair bands or “scrunchies” not worn in hair (i.e., on wrists)
  • Hats/caps/headgear #
  • Hoodies/hooded jackets or hooded clothing of any type
  • Heavy coats (if the testing room is too cold for you then we will give you a disposable emergency blanket)
  • Keys
  • Mechanical pencils *
  • Notes or books *
  • Papers of any kind *
  • Pens *
  • Rulers *
  • Sunglasses *
  • Personal tissues (there are facial tissues in testing rooms)

* Allowed only with permission of instructor or OSAT accommodation. OSAT staff will examine the object before use in the test.
# Allowed only for religious reasons.

Personal belongings must be stored in a locker during testing. Lockers have limited space, so examinees must plan accordingly when bringing personal items into OSAT. All tests must be completed prior to the OSAT’s close of business time of 5 p.m. Examinees whose appointments are scheduled late in the day must understand that they may not receive the full allowed time for their tests due to this closing rule. Examinees who wish to lodge a complaint about a test administration must do so immediately after the test to a proctor or other OSAT staff and/or email us at osat@wichita.edu. Irregularities will be investigated and reported to the director of the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing.

The Barton School of Business is excited to announce that Chase Koch, an entrepreneur known for scaling disruptive, bottom-up solutions, has been named the school’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence and will serve as the James Schwartz Distinguished Keynote Speaker for spring 2025. Chase is executive vice president of Koch and is recognized for his work building transformative partnerships in business, technology, social change and music. He will speak at a fireside chat titled “The Sound of Change: Music as a Catalyst for Social Impact.”

The fireside chat is scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, followed by a networking reception in Woolsey Hall. The conversation will be moderated by Marquis Bradley, CEO of Omnicut Motivational Fitness. This event will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to hear firsthand the vision behind Somewhere Fest & Conference— a community-driven music festival that combines entertainment with social impact. Chase will share how the festival, now in its second year, has evolved into a movement that blends culture, artists and social change to bring people together and create value for local communities. 

This event is open to the public, and all are welcome to bring colleagues, associates and friends. This event is expected to reach maximum capacity quickly, so attendees are encouraged to RSVP as soon as possible to reserve their spot.