Category: News

Wichita State University is expanding its Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP) to include new middle-school-level math and science pathways to address critical teacher shortages across Kansas.

The expanded program will prepare paraprofessionals to become licensed teachers for grades 5-8, helping school districts keep educators in communities that have struggled to recruit and retain qualified candidates.

Enrollment is now open, and the first cohort — limited to 30 middle-level science and 30 math candidates — will begin this fall.

AI, accessibility and student success are all connected and intermingled in the most recent issue of Teaching Tomorrow. This issue acts as reflection of the recent Academic Resources Conference and explores the tensions shaping higher education and what they mean for how to teach, learn and support students. You will also find sessions and links to the May Academic Resources Conference.

Located right in front of the Rhatigan Student Center and Shocker Success Center is the Community Garden, open to the community to harvest a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Check out what’s currently growing for the week of June 8, 2026. Make sure to wash what you pick thoroughly before enjoying:

• Onions – Ready for picking now in the northernmost beds. To pick, pull on the stems sticking up until the onion releases from the ground. Be sure to keep the stems as those are green onions and can be used to garnish your dishes.
• Potatoes – Ready to be harvested at the end of June and will be replaced with sweet potatoes
• Garlic – The stems should turn brown when they are ready to pick, which will be late June/early July
• Squash – Not ready to be picked
• Tomatoes – Not ready to be picked
• Asparagus – Not ready to be picked

The Community Garden is a project of the Student Government Association, the President’s Office and Student Engagement & Belonging.

Wichita State is pleased to introduce Jason Ladner, director of industry engagement in health innovation, to the university. In this role, Ladner supports the development and advancement of initiatives connected to the Wichita Biomedical Campus, helping strengthen WSU’s impact at the intersection of education, research and community health.

Ladner brings a strong focus on supply chain challenges within healthcare systems. His work centers on identifying gaps and uncovering opportunities that can drive innovation, improve efficiencies and better position WSU to contribute meaningful solutions in a rapidly evolving industry.

As part of his role, Ladner engages with healthcare organizations and systems to better understand their needs while exploring how WSU’s capabilities — from applied learning to interdisciplinary collaboration — can support real-world outcomes. He also works to build partnerships that foster health solutions and innovation.

Ladner reports to Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost, and plays a key role in advancing strategic priorities tied to community impact.

Recent graduate and Shocker scholar Hashim Syed reflects on how scholarship support helped shape his Wichita State experience. From advocating for disability rights to creating spaces where students feel a sense of belonging, Syed has made a lasting impact in the community while pursuing his passion for communication.

Watch his highlight video now out on YouTube to learn how scholarships empowered him to build confidence, find community and take the first steps toward his dreams.

In the latest Shock Doc from Undergraduate Admissions, Julius Thomas III returns to the Wichita State University stage where his journey first began. Julius opens up about what it takes to make it in showbiz — from auditioning for Hamilton to the unexpected childhood hobby that booked him a role in Broadway’s Xanadu. Now, more than 20 years into a thriving career, Julius came back on campus to mentor the next generation of Shocker artists and look back on a career that far exceeded his wildest dreams.

Due to the fiscal year-end budget load, time sheets and leave reports for Pay Period 14 (June 7-20) will not be available for entry or approval until week two of the pay period. It’s anticipated opening access will be available by the end of the day Tuesday, June 16. A follow-up notification will be sent once access is available.

Juneteenth (June 19) is a holiday and will automatically populate on timesheets for benefit-eligible hourly employees with a set schedule. Due to the holiday, the pay date will be Thursday, June 18.

All time must be entered and approved by noon Monday, June 22.

Check out issue 17 of the myShockerhealth newsletter. Monthly, the Student Health newsletter provides relevant health information and wellness tips for WSU students and staff.

For this issue, learn more about:

• American Stroke Awareness Month
• How to interpret food labels
• Women’s health starts with nutrition
• Perimenopause: What is it?
• How to use eyedrops
• CDC issues travel warning due to Ebola
• Employee corner
  • HealthQuest points and Student Health Services
  • Passport to wellness: Staying healthy while traveling

You can find all previous issues on the Student Health website.

The Office of Student Accommodations and Testing (OSAT) would like to remind all instructors to submit the Test Information Form (TIF) for students utilizing its office for exams and quizzes. Timely submission of the TIF is crucial so that students can schedule their appointments. Submit TIFs as soon as possible. This form is used for make-up exams and accommodated exams. OSAT proctors your students’ exams with the information you supply on the form.

Remind your students that all exams require an appointment. Students must schedule their exams through registerblast.com/wsu.

For any testing related questions, contact OSAT at testing.center@wichita.edu or call 316-978-8378.

Thank you to all those who volunteered to drive visitors May 29-30 on campus during the high school state baseball, softball and track events and providing guests a welcoming and positive experience. Mark your calendars for next year’s events, May 28-29, 2027.