Following an internal search, Dr. Andrew Hippisley, dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has appointed Dr. Jean Griffith as the associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion for the college. Griffith’s position is a new one that follows recommendations made by the National Science Foundation ADVANCE grant team, whose goal was to assess faculty DEI efforts at WSU.

Previously, Griffith, an associate professor of English and former chair of the Department of English, had served as the director of faculty and curricular diversity in the provost’s office. In her new role, Griffith will provide leadership for faculty-related diversity and inclusion initiatives and create and assess diversity and inclusion curricular programming.

She will also monitor equity processes in the college including faculty hiring and promotions while serving as a resource to the entire college community regarding diversity and inclusion topics.

“Jean will do an outstanding job in leading the way in diversity and inclusion in the college and the university community as a whole,” said Dr. Edil Torres Rivera, LatinX studies and counseling professor.”

Dr. Marche Fleming-Randle, vice president and chief diversity officer, echoed Torres’ statements.

“Dr. Jean Griffith is an advocate for diversity, inclusion and equity and has served on the President’s Diversity Council since 2017,” said Fleming-Randle. “She will serve LAS proudly.”

Photo of teacher and young children playing at WSU's CDC.

Wichita State’s Child Development Center (CDC) has openings in its pre-k classroom. To qualify for this classroom, children must be entering kindergarten in August 2023. For more information, contact 316-978-3109 or amy.mease@wichita.edu.

Pronouns Primer - A guide to understanding personal pronouns & updating pronouns on myWSU portal | wichita.edu/pronouns

Continuing Wichita State’s commitment as an inclusive campus, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has created a Pronouns Primer, a guide to understanding personal pronouns and instructions on updating pronouns, for students, faculty and staff at the myWSU portal via the Banner Self-Service.

When updated, Blackboard, Maxient and NAVIGATE systems will reflect the information. The university will continue to update and monitor systems to support and affirm an individual’s gender identity and expression.

Due to routine maintenance, Clinton Hall and Ablah Library will not have hot water until Friday, July 22. For more information, contact Andrew Clem at 316-978-7904.

The Student Wellness Center, including Student Health and Counseling and Prevention Services, will close Friday, July 29, for an annual staff retreat. The office will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, Aug. 1.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) will close Friday, July 22, for the Inclusive Excellence Retreat. The office will reopen Monday, July 25.

The Barton School of Business Student Success Center located at 008 Clinton Hall will close beginning Thursday, July 21, and will re-open Tuesday, July 26 at its new location at 129 Woolsey Hall.

The office will provide services remotely July 21, and will close July 22 and July 25. It will re-open July 26 for in-person and remote services July 26.

Phone availability will be limited during this time. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to contact business.advisor@wichita.edu.

NASA logo superimposed over blue state of Kansas.

The NASA Kansas Space Grant Consortium (KSGC) is accepting proposals for teacher workshops for the 2022-2023 academic year through Sept. 9. The KSGC Teacher Workshop Program (TWP) supports the development and implementation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics educator workshops, especially in middle-school classrooms.

Multiple awards of $15,000-$50,000 each are anticipated to be available. A non-federal $.50 match is required for every NASA dollar requested.

For more information, contact. Dr. Scott Miller at scott.miller@wichita.edu or to nasainkansas@wichita.edu.

The 2023 fiscal year annual budget is now available online. The document can be viewed by using the following steps in myWSU:

– Go to myWSU

– Select Faculty/Staff tab

– Locate Employee Toolbox section on the left hand side of the screen

– Under Employee Toolbox, locate University Budget section

– Select 2023 Adopted Operating

The Registrar’s Office will close for a staff development event Wednesday, July 13. If you need assistance during this time, please contact Wichita State University OneStop at 316-978-7440 or visit the OneStop office 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at112 Jardine Hall.