Category: News

All spring ePermits will go on sale online and in person starting Monday, Jan. 12. Green student lots are currently open for free parking through Jan. 19. For those planning to purchase a garage add-on, park as your ePermit or classification currently allows you to park until the add-on has been purchased.

Encourage your undergraduate student researchers from all disciplines to submit their application for the annual Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol poster symposium. Participants must:

• Be undergraduates during the 2025-26 academic year
• Have completed research under the guidance of a faculty mentor at a Kansas four-year public institution
• Follow the appropriate methodology of their academic discipline
• Have research of sufficient quality to be presented at a professional academic meeting
• Produce a professional academic poster
• Rehearse their presentations prior to the Capitol event

Applications are due at midnight Jan. 26, 2026.

Looking for some inspiration for the spring 2026 semester? December’s Teaching Tomorrow issue contains a variety of activities and strategies that WSU instructors use in their classrooms. Whether you are looking for new ideas or just want to see what others do, this is a great issue to read through to get back into the swing of things.

December’s Teaching Tomorrow issue is ready for you. This issue features a variety of activities and strategies instructors around campus use in their own classrooms. It is perfect for a comfy winter read as you take a well-deserved break.

Sheryl Propst, director of Talent Management, will be leaving WSU on Jan. 5, 2026. Having served for over 13 years, Sheryl has made many significant contributions which have both supported and elevated the university in the areas of leadership development, employee recognition and talent acquisition.

She is getting married and relocating to Topeka, which also means she’ll be closer to her son who lives in KC. She will begin a new role as director of workforce development and optimization with Stormont Vail Health in January.

Out of respect for Sheryl’s wishes, we will not be hosting a farewell reception. Please reach out to her individually to share your well wishes and swap contact information.

Human Resources is putting a transition plan in place which includes naming Tara LaForce as the interim talent acquisition manager and re-evaluating strategic priorities and projects within Talent Management. During this transition period, Tara and Diana Austin, HRBP manager, will report to Vicki Whisenhant, AVP culture and chief HR officer. Sadi Roberts, learning & development specialist, will report to Diana, and Krista Thacker, project manager, will report to Susan Martin, HR project manager.

The Wichita State University Police Department is calling on Shocker Nation to help spread the love for Valentine’s Day this year by stocking the Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker.

Now through Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, UPD is stuffing a squad car at the University Police Department building at Mid Campus Drive and Research Place, where you can drop off your donations for the locker.

Don’t know what to donate? The following are common, in-demand items at the locker:

• Canned foods and other easy instant meals
• Fruit products like applesauce and juice, vegetables, and cooking sauces like spaghetti and tomato sauce
• Grains and pasta, such as granola bars, rice, macaroni and bread
• Health and hygiene products such as bandages, deodorant, soaps, toothpaste, tampons and pads
• Baby products like wipes, diapers and formula

The Journal of Contemporary Issues in Sport (JCIS) is excited to share the release of volume 1, issue 2, which was published Friday, Dec. 12. Readers are invited to explore the latest collection of scholarly work that aligns with our mission to bridge the gap between theory, practice and the evolving challenges faced by the sport industry.

JCIS is a scholarly, semi-annual, peer-reviewed publication that caters to both academics and practitioners. It is sponsored by the Department of Sport and Leadership Studies at Wichita State, with the dedicated support of the University Libraries and Dr. Susan Matveyeva.

For more information, contact the editor-in-chief of JCIS, Dr. Wonyoung Kim, at wonyoung.kim@wichita.edu.

Kevin Konda, associate vice president of Auxiliary Services in the Division of Student Affairs and director of the Rhatigan Student Center, has been named the interim vice president for Student Affairs following the retirement of Dr. Teri Hall.

“I’m honored to continue the legacy of Dr. Teri Hall in the Division of Student Affairs and her vision of ‘connecting every student,’” Konda said. “Our students are the lifeblood of Wichita State, and I am excited to uplift all Shockers as they work toward graduation.”

Konda currently oversees University Dining Services and the Child Development Center and heads operations at the RSC. He was recently honored as a Bender of Twigs during the 2025 Service Recognition Awards for his 25 years of service to WSU.

“During Kevin’s service to Wichita State, he has made the Rhatigan Student Center the primary hub for student life on campus and will continue to elevate the experience for all Shockers,” said Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost. “We thank him for his leadership and for stepping into this role in the interim as we look for a permanent vice president for Student Affairs.”

Additional information on the search for the next vice president for Student Affairs will be shared at a later date in WSU Today.

The Wichita Eagle has announced the winners of its annual Best of Wichita competition, and Wichita State was voted gold in best college/university in Wichita. This is the fourth year in a row where Wichita State has been named the best college/university.

Additionally:

• The Child Development Center was named silver for childcare
• The Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic was named bronze for audiologist/hearing center
• Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes was named bronze for bowling

We thank Shocker Nation for their participation in the voting process.

OneStop Student Services would like to thank all the people across campus that partner with it to assist students and help them to the next step of their academic journey. OneStop invites you to take a few minutes to view the annual report to see some of the great things it’s done.

Remember, you can always go to wichita.edu/onestop to find important dates for the spring 2026 semester, answers to questions about financial and student accounts and more.