Category: News

Learn more from our exchange students about their experiences at Wichita State by reading Study Abroad Spotlights. This week, read about Julian Pollet’s time as a Shocker and his favorite part about studying at Wichita State.

Wichita State University is committed to assisting all members of the Wichita State University community in providing for their own safety and security. The 2021 annual Security and Fire Safety Report is now available.

The report, which is accessible either at the website or in printed form, contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as crime prevention, fire safety, university police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures, and other matters of importance related to security and safety on campus. The annual report also contains information about crime statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on the Main Campus, Old Town, WSU South, and WSU West; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Wichita State University; and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the Main Campus, Old Town, WSU South, and WSU West.

If you would like to receive a printed version of the 2021 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, please stop by the University Police Department (located south of Wilkins Softball Stadium) to request a free copy. You may also request a free copy be mailed to you by calling the University Police Department at 316-978-3450.

Before he could even walk, JW Webster could do something only a handful of other people in the world could do: speak the Cherokee language.

Today Webster is one of only 1,200 people who can fluently read, write and speak the indigenous language — which is ranked as one of the most difficult languages to learn. In August, Webster’s sacred knowledge became part of Wichita State University’s applied linguistics program through a new class, Elementary Cherokee I (LING 590).

What is a first-gen Student? A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parents/legal guardians have not completed a bachelor’s degree. A student who is the first person in their immediate family to attend a four-year college/university to attain a bachelor’s degree.

• Faculty and staff help spread the word, there is an all-call for first-gen artists to apply for a chance to exhibit in the second annual First-Gen showcase, “Identity.” Applications will be accepted through Oct. 9.
• The First-Generation Honor Society, Tri-Alpha (Alpha Alpha Alpha) is now accepting applications from all first-gen Wichita State faculty, staff, alumni and students. The intent of membership is to build support and advocate for the academic excellence of first-generation college students.
• FOCUS ON FIRST-GEN: This week we highlight Aaron L. Austin, Ed.D., Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.
• F1RST-GEN T-Shirts are available in the RSC Shocker Store for $12.

A live faculty and staff town hall will be held 2-3 p.m. today, Oct. 1 via YouTube. This event is an opportunity to listen to and interact with President Rick Muma and Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Shirley Lefever. The event will be moderated by Gabriel Fonseca, University Staff Senate president; and Whitney Bailey, Faculty Senate president.

Faculty and staff who participate can ask questions during the live chat YouTube stream. For participants who don’t have a YouTube account, follow the link below to create one. Creating an account will help facilitate questions in the live chat section of the Virtual Town Hall.

Six outdoor classroom spaces are now available for reservation Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. These spaces have been upgraded with 25 permanent Adirondak chairs.

For portable amplification, contact 316-978-7058.

Wichita State’s Student Involvement staff will be out of the office Thursday, Sept. 30 for professional development. The student involvement front desk staff will still be available for customer assistance during this time.

For more information, contact 316-978-3022, getinvolved@wichita.edu or stop by Rhatigan Student Center (room 216).

Innovation partners are asked to encourage children in grades 6-12 to submit designs for a CubeSat mission patch. The CubeSat (a tiny satellite) will be flown during a mission to collect data as part of Dr. Nickolas Solomey’s research on solar neutrinos.

The contest is a partnership between Wichita State and the Ad Astra Kansas Foundation. More information about the contest and the entry form can be found at the Ad Astra Kansas Foundation website. All entries are due Nov. 12.

In 2020, Wichita State University faculty, staff, administrators, student and community leaders were asked to serve on presidential taskforces as part of a commitment to shared governance and transparency. The findings from these efforts have helped shape and refine the priorities and strategy of the university. 

The work of these taskforces is complete. Their insight may inspire further initiatives that serve Wichita State’s vision and mission.

A new Wichita State University mental health clinic is helping its clients take a positive and proactive approach to their mental health. The WSU Integrated Support and Empowerment (WISE) Clinic offers comprehensive counseling services to everyone in the Wichita community, and all services are free of charge.

The purpose of the clinic is twofold: First, it engages the community and neighborhoods surrounding Wichita State and empowers people to take control of their mental health; and secondly, it gives WSU counseling students the opportunity for real-world applied learning through their work with clients.