Category: News

Dr. Kevin Sylvester Harrison, formerly the Wichita State University Military and Veterans Affairs community engagement coordinator, joined the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College as assistant teaching professor and director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

In addition to developing and teaching honors courses, Harrison will oversee recruitment and community relationship-building. Harrison has spent the past five years transitioning into higher education from banking, financial services and telecommunications He received his doctorate in 2020, and has taught several courses since 2016. In his new role as a faculty member and brand ambassador, Harrison hopes to assist the college in its efforts to expose honors education to more diverse student populations. 

Along with Harrison’s professional endeavors, he is a published author, an active participant in various community advocacy initiatives, and a performing artist. This wide range of skills and experiences will be a tremendous asset as he strives to establish and nurture relationships between the honors college, the campus community and the local community.  

As President Rick Muma’s book discussion nears, University Libraries has several copies of “Broke: The Racial Consequences of Underfunding Public Universities” by Laura T. Hamilton and Kelly Nielsen available on course reserve. Visit the circulation desk on the main floor of Ablah Library, or chat with our reference librarians virtually at the Libraries’ website for more info. There is also an ebook copy of the book, however there is limited access.

President Muma is set to lead a book discussion on “Broke” 2-2:50 p.m. Aug. 12, at Devlin Hall. This event will also be available live on Zoom.

The latest issue of Horizon, Wichita State University Foundation’s monthly newsletter, is now available online. The issue includes features on Wichita State’s new president, a new project to consolidate student services into a renovated Clinton Hall, and a $1 million pledge from the late Howard Marcus to support the expansion of the Marcus Welcome Center.

The annual faculty and staff fall address is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18 at the Beggs Ballroom located in the Rhatigan Student Center. The event will also be available via a YouTube livestream.

President Richard Muma, with the assistance of several university representatives, will outline key focus areas for the coming year:

• Access and affordability
• Applied learning and digital transformation
• Interdisciplinary research

RSVPs are appreciated for those who would like to attend the event in person.

Did you know that all Wichita State faculty, staff and students have free access to LinkedIn Learning? As part of the August Academic Resources Conference events Aug. 9-12, the Office of Instructional Resources (OIR) has identified five LinkedIn Learning courses that will be useful to instructors and staff at WSU:

• Having difficult conversations (one hour)
• Grant writing for education (two hours)
• Confronting bias: thriving across our differences (40 minutes)
• Core strategies for teaching in higher ed (two hours)
• Delivery tips for speaking in public (30 minutes)

The marquee exterior fixture of the W. Frank Barton School of Business’ new home, Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall, has been officially named the Promise Bridge. The 300-foot-long pedestrian bridge will span over a water feature south of the building.

The Kansas Council for Economic Education (KCEE) has received a $5,000 grant from Evergy. The KCEE will use the grant in providing its economic and financial literacy programs for K-12 students throughout the state of Kansas.

The National Science Foundation has awarded a $200,000 grant to Dr. Ajita Rattani, an assistant professor in the College of Engineering’s School of Computing, that seeks to improve facial recognition technology, addressing civil liberties concerns that some demographic groups are more likely to be misidentified. 

Parking lot repairs and maintenance are finishing up for the summer, and we appreciate everyone’s patience. Below are the updates:

• Lot 19E — This lot wraps around the south and east side of Eck Stadium. This area will close Aug. 2-6 for repairs.
• Lot 7 — Located in front of the Rhatigan Student Center, this lot will close Aug. 5-6. The parking garage will still be available, but members will need to use the south entrance and exit along Perimeter Road.
• Lot 20 — Located behind Wilner Auditorium, this lot  will be close Aug. 7 to allow for a second coat of paint.
• Lot 2E — This lot, located at the northeast corner of Koch Arena, will close Aug. 7 allow for a second coat of paint.

For this week’s Tuesday Talks, watch Nurse Heather Stafford, Student Health Services associate director; Jennifer Nicholson, Wichita State University disability services assistant director, Laura Ryman; WSU parking services supervisor; and Capt. Corey Herl, WSU Police Department, as they discuss what new students need to know about safety, parking and disability services on campus.