Category: News

Save the date for Open Streets ICT April 19 for the free community-building event as almost two miles of 17th Street (from Oliver and Volutsia) is closed off. Connect with fellow community members, local vendors, organizations and resources while enjoying a fun, active day outdoors.

Additionally, vendor and volunteer registration is now open. This is an opportunity for small businesses, local organizations and WSU departments/groups to engage with the community while being part of the fun. All WSU departments, groups, RSOs can register for free, just put “on route” at registration.

If you have ideas, questions, would like to contribute to the day or sponsor, reach out to Naquela Pack at naquela.pack@wichita.edu.

All spring 2026 parking ePermits are now on sale both online and in person at Parking Services. Purchases made at Parking Services are cash or check only. There is an ATM in the lobby. If you have questions, contact Parking Services at 316-978-5526 or wsuparking@wichita.edu.

The Information Security Department will launch a new Information Security Training next spring, replacing the current IT Security Awareness (ITSA) course in the Employee Required Training section of the myWSU portal.

In about 30 minutes you will gain the essential knowledge to help protect WSU data and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. Watch for upcoming emails in your WSU inbox with details on how to access the training. Thank you for doing your part to keep WSU data secure.

Join President Rick Muma and his team as they prepare future Shockers for a lifetime of success. The President’s Team is raising money for the United Way’s Champions for Literacy initiative, which puts books and supplies into the hands of students in the Shocker Neighborhood.

Reading helps children build cognitive skills, gain a deeper understanding of the world, improve their concentration and fuel their imagination. As an educational driver for the state of Kansas, Wichita State is committed to helping students of all ages achieve success and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Students not reading proficiently by the fourth grade are four times more likely to drop out, and illiteracy often continues into adulthood. Donations to the campaign stay local to the Shocker Neighborhood through United Way of the Plains to alleviate illiteracy in the community.

Wichita State will launch two graduate programs in forensic firearms and forensic biology in fall 2026, expanding the pipeline of trained specialists prepared for careers in federal, state and local crime laboratories.

The programs were developed in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and regional partners at the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and they were created to meet a growing national need for examiners who can step into a lab and get to work.

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.