Category: News

WSU Fire Safety and Myers Automatic Fire Protection will conduct required annual fire sprinkler inspection and testing throughout campus starting Monday, March 17.

Housing will not be included in these tests. Testing will last approximately two weeks but could be longer. Every attempt will be made to keep the testing as quiet as possible, however, some sounding of the fire alarm system will be required in some buildings. The alarm will only sound momentarily but may sound more than once. No evacuation is necessary during this testing.

There is no set day or time for when a particular building will be tested. If you have any special concerns or requests about these tests, email Scott Murray at scott.murray@wichita.edu. Remember these are required tests and they must be conducted.

Kelly O. Humphries’ career path is a testament to the power of persistence, innovation and a lifelong passion for storytelling and space exploration. From his early days as a journalism student at Wichita State to becoming news chief at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Humphries has spent decades helping shape how the world understands human spaceflight.

Alce su Voz’s latest policy paper, “Enhancing Infrastructure for Equitable Healthcare Language Access Services in Kansas,” examines laws regarding language access in healthcare, highlights findings from the study on the gaps in language access services in Kansas and provides recommendations for meaningful improvements toward a healthier state.

Join in welcoming Carmen Ortiz and Shasta Steinert to the Office of Student Accommodations & Testing.

• Carmen Ortiz has joined as the new coordinator for the Office of Student Accommodations & Testing. Carmen will be overseeing all aspects of testing, providing support and resources for students and faculty.
• Shasta Steinert is the new access coach for the Office of Student Accommodations & Testing. Shasta will be working directly with students to help establish and implement accommodations.

For more information on the Office of Student Accommodations & Testing, visit the website at wichita.edu/osat, email OSAT@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3309. The office is located in 118 Shocker Success Center.

On Feb. 28, Wichita State hosted National TRIO & GEAR UP Day 2025 at Woolsey Hall, celebrating the transformative impact of the federally funded programs. Betty Paugh Ortiz, vice president of programs at NCCEP, delivered a keynote on GRIT: Growth Mindset, Resilience, Impact and Transformation. Associate VP Deltha Colvin, the trailblazer of these programs, highlighted TRIO’s 60-year legacy, while Provost Monica Lounsbery emphasized the programs’ impact on student success.

The event featured interactive activities, including a scavenger hunt, a hands-on technology session and a mental health workshop led by Dr. Larry Mitnaul. Dr. Alicia Thompson reaffirmed WSU’s commitment to supporting underserved students. With nine TRIO and three GEAR UP programs serving 7,000+ students statewide, WSU remains a leader in educational access. These programs continue to provide vital support, ensuring students achieve their full potential.

For more information, visit the Office of Special Programs website.

Jocelyn Galicia-Powell is a Wichita State graduate and founder of 2UAuto, a local auto company that comes to you to detail your vehicle. She also owns The Outpost, a restaurant near Cheney Lake. Check out the latest Shock Doc featuring Jocelyn and hear how her time at Wichita State set her up for success.

Wichita State is more than a campus where students learn and study. It’s a place to solve problems, to do research, to forge a pathway to a better tomorrow. It is a community where the dreamers, doers and Shockers of the future are encouraged to push boundaries, think critically and pursue their passions.

Kyle Shay studied abroad in Bilbao, Spain in fall 2024. Check out Kyle’s spotlight to learn about his semester abroad.

Are you interested in studying abroad over the next winter break? Start planning now and look at the options available in many different countries.

Programs are generally three weeks long during the month of January. Areas of study include environmental studies, international business, music, religion, art history, photography, language, psychology, sociology and more. Costs range from $2,000 to $6,290 (includes most fees for the programs except for the flight).

Get started by completing the WSU study abroad application or email Study Abroad at studyabroad@wichita.edu.

The African American Faculty and Staff Association (AAFSA) is pleased to announce its spring 2025 scholarship recipients.

• Gabriela Zermeno – Junior majoring in international studies and business administration
• Caitlyn Joseph – Junior majoring in biomedical engineering
• Anestacia Marston – Sophomore majoring in psychology

The AAFSA scholarship, awarded annually, is very competitive yet these recipients stood out among all other applicants based on well-written and articulated essays, academic performance and their well-communicated need.