The Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) at WSU is seeking talented speakers for this year’s Marketing Meetup. The event will be located on July 11 at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

You will have a chance to speak with small business leaders and entrepreneurs. The annual event is designed to empower them with the latest marketing trends, innovative insights and actionable strategies. The deadline to speak is June 1.

President Rick Muma is with the honorees for the 2025 President's Distinguished Service Awards

The President’s Distinguished Service Awards recognize faculty and staff for exemplary, dedicated and caring service to Wichita. The reception to meet and greet the honorees and recognition ceremony were held May 9 in Woolsey Hall.

The 2025 President’s Distinguished Award honorees are:

Faculty Senate:

  • Susan H. Castro, Department of Philosophy, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • BreAnn M. Gilkey, School of Social Work, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • John Hammond, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

University Staff Senate:

  • Amber Anderson, Online Education, Division of Academic Affairs
  • Susan McCoy, Department of Chemistry, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Sharmon Holcomb, Registrar’s Office, Division of Academic Affairs
  • Stephanie Cockrell, Graduate Programs, W. Frank Barton School of Business

University Staff Senate – Wayne Carlisle Award:

  • Christopher Leonard, Counseling and Psychological Services, Division of Student Affairs
President Rick Muma is with the honorees for the 2025 University Faculty Awards

The honorees for the 2025 University Faculty Awards were recognized May 9 in Woolsey Hall. The university faculty awards recognizes excellence in teaching, research and creative activities.

The 2025 University Faculty Award honorees are:

  • Excellence in Teaching: Brian Rawson
  • Leadership in the Advancement: Jen-Chi Cheng
  • Young Faculty Scholar: Reagan Murnan
  • Academy for Effective Teaching: Mary Liz Jameson and John Watkins
  • Excellence in Research: Shuang Gu and Xiaolong Li
  • Excellence in Creative Activity: Robert Thomas
  • Excellence Award for Community Research: Rachel Showstack
  • Faculty Risk Taker: Angela Beeler
  • Young Faculty Risk Taker: Davi Soares
  • Excellence in Accessibility: Jason Li
  • Excellence in Online Teaching: Kate Kung-McIntyre
Steven Skinner

Dr. Steven Skinner, professor of electrical and computer engineering, will assume the role of interim dean of the College of Engineering beginning June 9 to facilitate a smooth transition from Dean Anthony Muscat, whose last day at Wichita State will be June 30.

Skinner is an experienced leader who previously served as interim dean from 2019 to 2020. He brings a steady, collaborative approach and a deep commitment to students and faculty, and to the mission of the university.

The university is grateful for his leadership in the College of Engineering as the university begins the search for a new permanent dean.

The Office of Civil Rights, Title IX, & ADA Compliance (CTAC) has invited two finalists for the position of director of ADA & Section 504 compliance to campus for interviews Tuesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 22.

Each candidate will facilitate a presentation outlining how they intend to lead ADA compliance and accessibility efforts at an institution of higher education in 2025. Presentations will begin at 12:45 p.m. and conclude at 1:45 p.m. with an open Q&A session.

To RSVP, contact Linda Sims, executive assistant for CTAC, at linda.sims@wichita.edu.

Congratulations to members of the Wichita State DECA chapter who competed at the DECA’s 2025 International Career Development Conference (ICDC) Competitive Events Program.

The Collegiate DECA chapter at Wichita State brought home some serious hardware from the DECA’s 2025 International Career Development Conference (ICDC) Competitive Events Program. The conference, which took place April 5-8 in San Francisco, California, is a culmination of the DECA year where more than 1,200 members engage in competition, professional development academies and networking.

Ten members of the Wichita State DECA chapter were named competition finalists. Of those 10, Manas Madanambedu placed second in Entrepreneurship – Growing Your Business, the team of Michael Goldberg and Shawn Hulen placed second in Sports Marketing, and the team of Maley Hansen and Ronish Rasaily placed first overall in Business Ethics. This is the first time students from Wichita State have placed first in the competition. Of the ten finalists, seven were competing for the first time.

Wichita State DECA finalists:

Team competition:

  • Maley Hansen and Ronish Rasaily – Business Ethics – First place
  • Michael Goldberg* and Shawn Hulen* – Sports Marketing – Second place
  • Hailee Hamilton* and Kamryn Nash* – Marketing Communications

Prepared business presentations:

  • Manas Madanambedu* – Entrepreneurship, Growing Your Business – Second place
  • Grace Skelton – Advertising Campaign

Individual competition & testing:

  • Vivian Chau* – Travel and Tourism
  • Allison Hipp* – Restaurant and Food Service Management
  • Manas Madanambedu* – Restaurant and Food Service Management

*Denotes first-time competitors

Scheels runs its 2024 state events booth with the text "Be a booth sponsor for state events on campus"

Departments on campus are invited to host an exhibit in Fan Alley during state events May 30-31 at a discounted rate. Fan Alley will have food trucks, yard games and local area businesses along Perimeter Road on the north side of Shocker Hall.

Campus departments can sign up to host a booth in Fan Alley at a discounted rate of $150. Booths are encouraged to offer interactive and fun activities for attendees.

Benefits of hosting a booth:

  • Customized booth directly next to the high-traffic areas of state events.
  • Exposure to nearly 35,000 attendees, from high schoolers to families, coaches and patrons, and more.
  • Enhance the overall experience for attendees and elevate Wichita State.

Slots are limited for Fan Alley, so complete the exhibitor booth registration form soon.

Power, tables, chairs and equipment for booths are not provided. Departments are expected to supply the materials for their individual exhibits. Volunteers will be working to assist booths at Fan Alley for the duration of events.

A graphic titled CAS Student Spotlight features a professional headshot of Wendy Hummell, a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Wichita State University. Wendy is wearing a maroon blazer, glasses, and a confident smile. Her image is framed in a circular border with a black background and yellow outline. The Wichita State University logo and College of Applied Studies branding appear in the lower right corner.

With nearly 30 years in law enforcement, Wendy Hummell saw firsthand the need for mental health support in public safety. Now a graduate student in WSU’s clinical mental health counseling program, she’s using her experience to provide culturally competent care for first responders.

She helped lead a 60-member peer support team, launched a wellness program at the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, and hosts the “Guns and Yoga Podcast” to spark conversations around mental health and resilience in law enforcement.

Jaimie Harrison of Meritrust Credit Union interacts with students at the Barton School of Business

The Barton School of Business is pleased to announce that Meritrust Credit Union has generously donated $570,000 to support the mission and ongoing initiatives of the Office of Career & Professional Development (OCPD) at the Barton School of Business. This contribution marks an increase from their previous 2022 gift, bringing Meritrust’s total investment in OCPD to $1.1 million.

“The Office of Career & Professional Development at the Barton School is an essential resource that helps students explore career paths, engage confidently with industry professionals, and develop key skills such as networking, resume building, communication etiquette, and financial literacy,” said James Nastars, president and CEO of Meritrust Credit Union and member of the Barton School Dean’s Advisory Board. “We are excited to continue supporting this vital mission and assist WSU students in laying the foundation for successful futures.”

Eight students from the Erin and Kyle Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund (CSMIF) at the Barton School of Business recently traveled to New York City for a transformative learning experience.

Eight students from the Erin and Kyle Cummings Student Managed Investment Fund (CSMIF) at the Barton School of Business recently traveled to New York City for a transformative learning experience. Representing Wichita State University at Quinnipiac University’s Global Asset Management Education (GAME) Forum — the world’s largest student-run financial conference — students engaged directly with global finance leaders, explored top investment firms and strengthened their understanding of capital markets through immersive, real-world exposure.

“This opportunity was incredible,” said Adam Key, student president of CSMIF and GAME Forum attendee. “It allowed us to take what we’ve learned in the classroom and through managing our fund and apply it in a real-world context. We toured world-class financial institutions, met inspiring professionals, and got a behind-the-scenes look at the world of investment banking.”