Category: News

Recent updates to the Ultra Course format for Blackboard has added an exciting new feature in the gradebook. You can now see key metrics such as minimum/maximum value, range, average, median, standard deviation and variance for individual gradebook columns.

Read more about Ultra Gradebook statistics and other February Ultra updates. For questions, send the Office of Instructional Resources an email at OIR@wichita.edu

On Thursday, Feb. 22, the College of Engineering will host about 200 high school girls for the Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGED) event, commonly known as Girl Day. The event will be from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

Although a private event, staff and faculty are encouraged to have positive interactions with students, educators and event volunteers when in common areas. According to the College of Engineering, IGED is a national event that takes place during National Engineers Week. The purpose of IGED events is to foster a positive connection between young women and STEM.

The Barton School of Business is launching a Bachelor of Business Administration in hospitality. The program will begin in fall 2024 with applications now open for interested students. It was developed in response to growing local and national employment needs in the industry.

“The hospitality industry employs 15 million people and is on track to add another 500,000 jobs by the end of this year,” said Michelle Korsmo, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “The hospitality major at the Barton School of Business could make important contributions to our industry’s talent development by preparing graduates to efficiently lead operations, ensure superb customer experiences and operate financially sound enterprises.”

The Barton School of Business’ School of Accountancy has announced the return of its annual Barton Accounting Forum on May 15. This one-day conference is tailored for accounting and finance professionals, as well as students studying accounting. Attendees can receive eight hours of Continuing Professional Education credits by participating in the conference in addition to invaluable networking opportunities.

This marks the first conference held by the School of Accountancy since 2022, and it will take place on Wichita State’s campus.

The Office of Instructional Resources has recently begun offering meditations through a new program called Quiet Time, and it is now offering a newsletter to augment the Quiet Time program, which you can read the first issue of online.

The Quiet Time newsletter will come out bi-monthly and include research-based information about mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and related meditation habits. It will also include short MBSR trainings and links to recorded versions of its Quiet Time meditations.

Think of the Quiet Time newsletter as a little oasis of mental wellbeing info in a busy week. After checking out the inaugural issue, reach out to the Office of Instructional Resources at oir@wichita.edu to subscribe. As always, all OIR resources are free and available to everyone, so spread the word to those friends you think might be interested, whether they work at WSU or elsewhere. 

Partners in the Community Engagement Institute are gathering all of the feedback provided during the Feb. 8 Campus Climate Launch discussion.

Once Campus Climate Working Groups have that information, they will review those and begin sharing out different goals as well as progress towards improving the community.

Those who are interested in being directly involved can sign up for one of the four working groups. For more information, email vpsa@wichita.edu.

To help guide the new Wichita State Connect space located in the heart of campus, Wichita State has hired Dr. Alicia Thompson, former superintendent of USD 259, as the associate vice president of preK-12 connections and special projects.

In this role, Thompson will direct the new Wichita State Connect, which will serve as a hub for preK-12 field trips, mixers and professional development opportunities for educators and to provide WSU academic colleges and programs chances to engage with schools, industry and community partners.

“I am excited to join the Shocker Nation family as its new associate vice president of preK-12 connections and special project,” Thompson said. “I’m looking forward to continue building connections between the university and our community, including our public schools, to help elevate educational opportunities for all.”

Thompson brings with her 31 years of experience working in service of students during her time at USD 259. She will start on Feb. 19.

“Dr. Thompson’s extensive experience as the former superintendent of Wichita Public Schools provides a unique opportunity to capitalize on her wealth of knowledge and deep commitment to educational excellence. Her experiences in preK-12 education will enhance our ability to offer relevant and dynamic programming for the intended audiences,” said Dr. Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president. “Her leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our partnerships with local schools and enhance opportunities for students across the region. We look forward to the impactful contributions she will make to our university community.”

February’s issue of Teaching Today is now available. This month focuses on the many things to love about teaching.

There’s lots more to love in the issue. In addition to the love-fest, it takes a little time to introduce the Office of Instructional Resources’ newest newsletter, Quiet Time.

To subscribe to either newsletter and not miss an issue, let the Office of Instructional Resources know via email: OIR@wichita.edu

The College of Engineering has announced that Dr. Anil Mahapatro will serve as its associate dean for undergraduate and graduate programs. A similar position, associate dean of undergraduate studies, finance and administration, was previously held by Dr. Steven Skinner, who returned to teaching and research within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering this past June. The new associate dean role will involve enhancing curriculum relevance, refreshing the Engineering+ program and expanding current programs to train workforce-ready students.

Before accepting the associate dean position, Dr. Mahapatro served as a professor in and chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Within his role as a department chair, he fostered its growth from an undergraduate program to offering both master’s and doctoral degrees, demonstrating his ability to envision, create and execute strategic growth plans. According to Dr. Anthony Muscat, the dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Mahapatro’s collaborative spirit and dedication will be instrumental in helping the college become even stronger.

The Shocker Career Accelerator is excited to announce that it will host the Fairmount College Career Fair Thursday, Feb. 15. In preparation for the career fair, note that the office will be temporarily closed from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the day of the fair.

Shocker Career Accelerator invites students to take part in this opportunity, which will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 15 on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. The event is a fantastic chance for students to engage and network with over 30 employers.