Category: News

The Kansas State High School Athletics Association 5A state baseball and softball championships will be held on Wichita State’s campus May 29-30 and state track May 30-31. These events bring thousands of visitors to campus.

Volunteer opportunities for faculty and staff will be shared soon in WSU Today, so keep an eye out if you are interested in signing up.

Campus parking lots will be busier than usual during these dates. Faculty and staff are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early those days to avoid delays.

If you know of any businesses or organizations that may be interested in having an exhibitor booth or sponsoring the state events, reach out to Trish Gandu, director of marketing and advertising in the Office of Strategic Communications, at trish.gandu@wichita.edu or Kayla Jost, director of events for Shocker Athletics, at kjost@goshockers.com.

Wichita State’s SHOCKFEST (Welcome Weekend) is back, and organizers invite campus departments and community partners to host events that help new and returning Shockers feel welcomed, connected and excited to be part of Shocker Nation.

• What is SHOCKFEST? — A cross-campus effort to engage new and returning students the weekend prior to the first day of classes.
• When is SHOCKFEST? — Aug. 15-17
• Why host an Event? — With over 2,500 swipes last year, this is an opportunity to catch students before the start of the school year. Event submissions are open April 14 to June 1. Check out the submission process and event host resources.

SHOCKFEST is sponsored by the Office of Student Success: First-Year Programs. For more information, reach out to first.year@wichita.edu.

Wichita State’s SHOCKFEST is back and wants students to help bring the energy. This is your chance to welcome new and returning Shockers and kick off the school year with a bang.

What is SHOCKFEST?
SHOCKFEST is WSU’s Welcome Weekend — a campus-wide celebration happening Aug. 15-17. Think fun events, new friends, live energy and all the reasons students fall in love with Shocker Nation occurring the weekend prior to the first day of classes.

Event submissions are open April 14-June 1. Whether it’s a game night, ice-cream social, a creative hangout or anything else, your event can help set the vibe for the entire year. Check out the submission process and event host resources.

SHOCKFEST is sponsored by the Office of Student Success: First-Year Programs. For more information, contact first.year@wichita.edu.

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.

Have a business idea but not sure how to move forward? Ignitor 2.0 is an interactive startup training designed for aspiring and active entrepreneurs looking to validate their idea and turn it into a real opportunity.

Through hands-on exercises, customer engagement and expert feedback, participants will refine their concepts, test key assumptions and build a strategy that works. The program emphasizes learning by doing — helping participants move from concept to clarity with practical tools and support. Whether you’re just starting or looking to strengthen your foundation, Ignitor 2.0 provides the tools and connections to help you succeed.

Program details:

Dates: May 6, 13, 20 and June 3
Time: 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays
Location: 302 Woolsey Hall, Berry Foundation Room

The countdown to the Shocker New Venture Competition is on — and you can still be part of the excitement. Organizers are inviting students to take an active role in the competition by serving as student judges for the People’s Choice Award.

As a student judge, you’ll have the opportunity to engage directly with innovative student ventures, vote for your favorite startup and help determine who takes home the People’s Choice Award. It’s a unique chance to see what makes a great business pitch, build your understanding of entrepreneurship and connect with fellow students who are passionate about innovation.

Join between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. May 2nd at Woolsey Hall, and experience the energy of student entrepreneurship up close. No prior experience needed — just bring your curiosity and an open mind.

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.