The HR Total Rewards team reminds staff and faculty that the deadline for spring 2023 tuition assistance applications is Thursday, Dec. 1.

Tuition assistance applications are submitted through the Online Application Form.

Because of the volume of applications received each semester, requests to submit late applications will be automatically denied. There are no exceptions.

Full program details can be found at wichita.edu/tuitionassistance.

Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.

Riccardo Harris, executive director of college and career readiness at Wichita State, was recently featured on the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) podcast — “On the Ground” — which focuses on the challenges and triumphs of the GEAR UP community.

Harris, a native of Wichita, is an acclaimed public speaker and published author who has been on the front lines for social justice and student advocacy for three decades and counting. He has written over $5 million in grants while expanding WSU’s GEAR UP imprint and leveraging this brand as means of making college accessible, affordable and attainable for youth who come from marginalized ethnic and social populations.

On the podcast, Harris discusses the value of the Common App and NACAC fee waivers, which allow GEAR UP students across the country to have their application fees waived. Harris emphasizes the value of allowing students throughout the nation to apply for Wichita State free of charge.

If you requested SPTEs for your first 8-week course(s), the sealed results have been sent to your department. Please check with your department administration if you are expecting these results.

Any additional SPTE information can be found at the Social Science Research Lab’s website.

teaching today

Each month, the Office of Instructional Resources publishes a teaching-centered newsletter called Teaching Today. The October issue of Teaching Today addresses the important topic of digital transformation, and we are excited to share this conversation with our campus industry partners.

In this issue, we take on as many aspects of digital transformation as we can with topics such as high-performance computing, the influence of AI on teaching and learning, and practical applications of these technologies with approachable tools like ArcGIS and even some cool Microsoft 365 features. Along the way, we have lots of examples of how humans and AI can partner to create original creative work.

If you are interested in getting future issues of Teaching Today, please subscribe by emailing Wichita State’s Office of Instructional Resources at OIR@wichita.edu.

The October issue of Teaching Today addresses the very important topic of digital transformation. From what it is to where it’s going, we cover as many aspects of digital transformation as we could.

This month’s issue is huge! It also has many guests including Terrance Figy (high-performance computing), David Macdonald (music and artificial intelligence), Ethan Lindsay (Arc GIS), Ali Levine (Microsoft 365’s cool features), and Provost Shirley Lefever (digital transformation and education).

We hope you enjoy this issue, and as always, if you see something you like, please share it with a friend.

Anyone can subscribe to Teaching Today by simply emailing the Office of Instructional Resources at OIR@wichita.edu.

The ALOTYS 2021 award recipient holding his award plaque.

The Office of Adult Learning is preparing to host its third annual Adult Learner of the Year (ALOTY) Awards Ceremony on Thursday, March 9. Every year, the ALOTYs recognize an outstanding adult student at Wichita State University and both a WSU partner and a community partner who support these adult learners on their journey toward a degree.

If you have an adult learner in mind who you would like to nominate for the ALOTY, you can nominate them at the link below. To learn more about the ALOTYs and see some of the past recipients, go to www.wichita.edu/aloty.

yellow shopping cart with the words inside the cart: Amazon Business Prime, Vendors, Streamline, Suppliers,, Public Sector, Purchasing, Buyers, Success, Goods & Services, Software, Commodities, Sourcing, Pcard, Value, Bids, Requisitions, Contracts, Unimarket, E-Procurement, Procurement Payment Services

To streamline the university’s purchases made through Amazon, WSU has entered into a partnership with Amazon, allowing staff with a WSU-issued p-card access to an enterprise-wide Amazon Business Prime account. Benefits of the enterprise account include:

  • Free two-day shipping on Prime-eligible items
  • Automatic tax-exempt purchasing
  • Access to millions of additional products available only to Amazon Business customers
  • Business-specific pricing, including quantity discounts on eligible items

The Amazon Business Prime account is set to roll out in the first part of November. Current P-Card holders can expect to receive communication from Financial Operations and Amazon in the coming weeks.

WSU has also partnered with Unimarket, a leading procurement software and services provider, to roll out a university-wide, cloud-based E-Procurement+ solution. This solution will simplify and automate the procure-to-pay process, offer increased reporting capabilities, provide real-time integration with Banner, and allow users to easily purchase goods and services.

The new E-Procurement solution is slated to launch on July 1, 2023. Be on the lookout for additional announcements from Procurement and Payment Services in the coming months regarding informational meetings, implementation updates, feedback opportunities and training.

Announcement of 3MT competition. Registration closes on October 21. Competition will be held October 11. Register at Wichita.edu/3MT

The Three-Minute Thesis is an academic competition that challenges doctoral and master’s students to describe their research within three minutes to a general audience. The Graduate School will host the fifth annual 3MT competition Nov. 11 at the Rhatigan Student Center.

Registration is required and closes at 11:59 p.m. tonight.

Physicians Assistant Students January 1973 - Initial Class V.A.C. Wichita, KS Charles Scott, James Oehlert, Richard Hamaker, Steven Bland, Marc Dicker, Marvis Goostree, Madonna Ward, Willie Howard, Keith Wilborn, Gary Nelson, Andy Robles, Absent - Lonnie Bradford Right to left: D. Cramer Reed - Dean C.H.R.P.; V.J. Valgora - Program Director; Alfred H. Hinshaw - Med. Director

On Oct. 14, the Physician Assistant program at Wichita State celebrated its 50th anniversary with an open house and reception for alumni, faculty, staff, students and supporters.

Founded in 1972, the WSU PA program was the first program in Kansas and one of the first in the nation. The program provides students with a patient-centered education that includes high-tech simulation scenarios, real-life cases and clinical problem solving.

“For 50 years, Wichita State’s PA graduates have improved health outcomes throughout the community and across Kansas by increasing access to medical care, particularly in underserved and rural areas,” said Dr. Rick Muma, Wichita State president and first certified PA in the nation to serve as a university president. “With our exceptional faculty and rigorous curriculum, Wichita State’s PAs have a reputation for providing excellent care and compassion for the people of our state.”

The Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board for the W. Frank Barton School of Business has appointed new leaders.

Erin Cummings, owner and founder of YESyoga, will serve as president, while Ryan Potter, director of Portfolio Development at Koch Investment Group, will serve as her vice president. Cummings and Potter have both sat on the board since 2020.

The Alumni Council makes recommendations to the dean on the school’s strategic direction, curriculum, student experience, business partnerships and global outreach. Members also serve as guest speakers and mentors, host alumni events and engage in community service initiatives.

Cummings is an alumna of the Barton School and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in real estate. Potter is a graduate alumnus of the Barton School and holds an MBA degree.