"Let's Talk About It" - Season 2 Episode 4: Social Justice Featuring: Selena Jackson (she/her) - Staff psychologist and group therapy coordinator for WSU Counseling & Prevention Services Brandon Johnson (he/him) - Wichita city council person & Vice Mayor Kevin Harrison - WSU Community Engagement Coordinator David Garcia - WSU student and Director of Public Relations for the Wichita State Student Government Association

“Let’s Talk About It” — Season 2 Episode 4: Social Justice

We’ve seen a significant increase in social justice efforts both locally and nationally throughout the past two years. From civil rights to a global pandemic, we’ve hit a turning point and many have launched into action as a result. Today, we’ll be discussing social justice efforts with several guests who have been in the trenches doing this work for years. How do we maintain momentum and continue to make progress? Today’s episode features:

  • Selena Jackson (she/her) — Staff psychologist and group therapy coordinator for WSU Counseling & Prevention Services
  • Brandon Johnson (he/him) — Wichita city council person & vice mayor
  • Kevin Harrison — WSU Community Engagement Coordinator
  • David Garcia — WSU student and Director of Public Relations for the Wichita State Student Government Association

About “Let’s Talk About It”: The mission of the FUSE ICT is to prepare and inspire students to achieve their true passion and purpose; while providing the tools, opportunities, and diverse programming options for them to grow. One of the most effective tools that we have to spark dialogue and unearth passion is dialogue. Our goal with “Let’s Talk About it” is to create a safe, comfortable and casual environment that will foster connection with diverse people in an effort to create meaning, ask questions and start honest conversations about the topics that matter most to college students today.

Testing Services will be closed Jan. 10 for staff development. Regular hours will resume Jan. 11. Please call 316-WSU-TEST with any questions.

Testing Services offers make-up exams, classroom exams for students registered for accommodations with the Office of Disability Services, distance exams, certification exams, and more.

The WSU Open/Alternative Textbook (OAT) Initiative is designed to expand the use of freely-available resources in our classes in an effort to address the rising cost of textbooks and the impact of that expense on our students. To get an OAT designation for s fall 2022 course, submit the request form before Feb 15.

Courses with an OAT designation are visible to students in the course schedule so they can choose classes with low or no textbook costs.

Courses can be designated as either:

  • OAT-Z:  Zero ($0) textbook or other course material costs
  • OAT-L: Low (under $50) textbook or other course material costs

This program has been modified from the original design. There is no longer a course fee associated with these course designations.  www.wichita.edu/OAT 

The staff at Wichita State’s Student Wellness Center and Counseling and Prevention Services received cookies as the first Rick Rewards presentation on Monday, Dec. 13. 

Rick Rewards is a new program by President Rick Muma to show his appreciation for the efforts of a member, or members, of the campus community.

The Student Wellness Center was selected as the first recipient because of its staff’s dedication to the mental and physical health of WSU students and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first of many future Rick Rewards that will be handed out to applaud the many people on campus who go above and beyond every day.

The Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Center will be closed from 1 p.m to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15 for a holiday event. The LAS Advising Center will reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16.

Picture of exterior of RSC.

The Rhatigan Student Center (RSC) will close temporarily Dec. 19–Jan. 2 for Winter Break. During this time, the RSC Shocker Store location will be open for a portion time. For specific building and department hours, visit the RSC operating hours website.

image= mind, brain, thinking images, text = Open Your Mind To OER, KS OER Summit 2022, Feb. 16 &17, registration is open https://mhec.eventsair.com/22ksoersummit/.

Registration is open for the first state-wide virtual Kansas Open Education Resources (OER) Summit 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Feb. 16 and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Feb. 17. Admission for this event is free.

The summit will provide sessions that allow participants to learn more and share ideas about OER, open pedagogy and other open education initiatives. The summit also allows participants to collaborate with their Kansas colleagues in discussions and workshops about different topics and discipline areas to obtain more insight on how they can utilize open education in their institutions or classrooms.

The Kansas OER summit is supported by the Kansas Board of Regents and Midwestern Higher Education Compacy (MHEC). Registration is required to attend.

Shocker Support Logo at top with red banner underneath that states "is closing soon for the holidays!" below that in yellow square, it states "Shocker Support Locker will be closed beginning Tuesday Dec. 14 and will reopen Jan. 17, 2022. Shockers, you have until Dec. 13 by 3 p.m. to grab any last minute items you might need for the holidays." underneath the yellow square, it states "visit wichita.edu/shockersupportlocker for more information. For any questions or additional assistance please call 316-978-3022." Student Affairs logo is placed at the very bottom of the graphic.

Shockers have until 3 p.m. Dec. 13 to grab any last-minute items for the holidays at the Shocker Support Locker. The facility will close Tuesday, Dec. 14, and will reopen Jan. 17, 2022.

For more information, contact 316-978-3022 or visit the Shocker Support Locker website.

Picture of spring 2021.

More than 1,100 Shockers are eligible for graduation in fall 2021. While each of their journeys are unique, they all share a common connection to Shocker Nation. Here’s what some of our graduates have to say about their time at Wichita State University and the future they see for themselves.  

I am FIRST generation. Wichita State University. “I navigated college as a student entirely on my own, it was empowering, overwhelming and stressful. Learning that a first-gen community on campus exists was validating to my experience. It made me feel less alone having people to relate to in close proximity.” Jaci Ignudo, digital specialist, Strategic Communications BFA, Graphic Design. F1RST GEN SHOCKERS.

What is a first-gen student?

A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 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.

  • Focus on first-gen: This week we highlight Jaci Ignudo, digital specialist, Strategic Communications.
  • The efforts of the First-Gen Coordinating Council were recently recognized American Association of Colleges and Universities News Watch
  • Congratulations to the 454 December F1rst-Gen grads that walk on Saturday, Dec.12.