Category: News

The Shocker Career Accelerator is excited to announce that this year’s Career Connection Root Beer Kegger, held Aug. 28, was a remarkable success. 1,205 Wichita State students joined the fun, and the event also welcomed 41 employers.

Shocker Career Accelerator wants to thank the employers, students, outstanding faculty support and the entire campus community for coming together and making this event a success.

Historically, August is a month of transition, with students typically experiencing homesickness and trying to make friends and campus connections. This past month, CARE Team case managers worked with 76 students whose top concerns were distress, basic needs not being met and expressions of hopelessness, fear or worthlessness. Receiving 76 referrals in August is an appropriate reflection of the number of referrals seen over the last three academic years, as the average number of referrals in August is 75. However, one major change that was identified was the severity of student concerns.

The concerns shared above may not sound severe, but the follow-up care that took place shows their severity. In August, nine student transports took place, including students being transported for mental health or medical reasons. These levels of concern are historically what the CARE Team sees around weeks seven through eight of the semester but were occurring in the second and third weeks of students being on campus. When a student is transported to a higher level of care, the case managers for CARE Team work to coordinate services for the student post discharge. This includes setting up supports on campus, coordinating with professors and coordinating services within the community to ensure safety and wellbeing of the student.

In September 2023, the CARE Team saw a drastic increase in referrals as more students responded to wellness surveys and check-ins from staff and faculty, requesting that the CARE Team connect with them to offer support. Knowing this information, the CARE Team can predict that it will likely see a large increase in the number of referrals made to the office, and the severity of student concerns will continue to be present throughout the month of September. If you have any questions regarding CARE Team referrals or are interested in learning about trend observed throughout the semester, contact the CARE Team at 316-978-3149.

Here are ways you can help:

• If you see something, say something. Concerning behaviors should be shared with the appropriate offices so the student can receive support and barriers can be addressed. The CARE report can be found on the CARE Team website.
• Attend a CARE Team training. In these trainings, participants discuss the concerning behaviors that take place on WSU’s campus and coach staff and faculty on how to engage in those difficult conversations.
• Reach out. If you have questions, the CARE Team is happy to discuss your concerns and share how it can support you.

Attention graduate students: Want to have a say on campus and get more involved? Join the Graduate Student Council (GSC), a university-affiliated body representing over 2,700 graduate students at Wichita State.

The GSC focuses on advocacy, support and community-building initiatives, and it’s entirely student-run. If you’re interested, fill out a nomination form.

Graduate students who plan to complete all degree requirements this semester must file an application for degree and pay the $25 filing fee. This needs to be done no later than Monday, Sept. 16. Submit your application for degree even if you have a plan of study pending to be approved or have not submitted a plan of study.

To submit your application for degree, log into the myWSU portal and click on the myClasses tab. On the right hand side, you will find a section called “Graduation Links,” with the appropriate links to proceed. The $25 fee must be paid using a credit or debit card.

For questions, email the Graduate School at wsugradschool@wichita.edu.

WSU Math Circle resumes its weekly meetings, with the first starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 in 372 Jabara Hall. Math Circle is a program for middle school students.

Math Circles are education enrichment and outreach groups that bring mathematicians and mathematical scientists into direct contact with pre-college students. These students meet with math professionals in an informal setting, after school or on weekends, to work on interesting problems or topics in mathematics. The goal is to get the students excited and passionate about mathematics.

Students should bring with them a completed registration form from the website.

The WSU Child Development Center has Pre-K openings for the year. Children must be going to kindergarten in the fall of 2025 to be eligible. Call 316-978-3109 or email amy.mease@wichita.edu with questions.

Starting October 2024, schedule builders, department chairs and deans will use a new CourseLeaf module called CLSS (pronounced “class”) to create and approve their department’s schedule of courses. Several training sessions will be taught Oct. 22-23 by a CourseLeaf Software Trainer and the Registrar’s Office. Register via the myTraining link in myWSU.

• Schedule builders: All current and new schedule-builders are required to attend training to receive access to CLSS. Register for a two hour “CLSS Schedule Building’ training session:
  • Oct. 22 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m.
  • Oct. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. or 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Department chairs and deans: Those in the workflow approval process of schedule-building can register for one of two ‘CLSS Workflow Approver’ 45-minute training sessions:
  • Oct. 22 from 3:15 to 4 p.m.
  • Oct. 23 from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m.
• Open labs: Schedule-builders and approvers can register for as many ‘CLSS Schedule Building Open Lab’ sessions as they’d like:
  • Oct. 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. or 3 to 5 p.m.
  • Nov. 6, Nov. 14, Nov. 20, Dec. 5, Dec. 15 and Dec. 18, all from 2 to 3 p.m.

Do you lack the resources to provide students with experiences that employers value? Wichita State is excited to announce the State of Kansas Applied Learning Funds are now open for applications. This game-changer will supercharge WSU student success and boost the Kansas economy.

Here’s why you should be excited:

• Empower your students: These funds can help you directly integrate cutting-edge work-based learning experiences into your curriculum. Imagine your students gaining invaluable, real-world skills while tackling meaningful projects. They’ll graduate job-ready and with a competitive edge.
• Fuel the Kansas economy: Equipping graduates with the skills businesses desperately need directly contributes to a stronger Kansas talent pipeline. These funds can help you bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring our graduates are ready to hit the ground running and make a lasting impact.
• Ignite student engagement: Let’s face it, learning by doing is where it’s at. Applied learning experiences are engaging and hands-on, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real time. Our students will be motivated, inspired and eager to succeed.

Who can apply? WSU colleges and departments are invited to submit proposals. Special attention will be given to programs traditionally lacking access to paid applied learning opportunities.

What are the funding priorities?

• Areas of greatest need: These funds are designed to level the playing field. Proposals that address areas with limited access to paid applied learning experiences will be prioritized.
• Academic alignment: The work-based experience needs to seamlessly connect with your academic program, ensuring students are building valuable bridges between theory and practice.
• Data-driven approach: The ability to collect data on your program’s effectiveness is crucial. This helps us ensure these funds have a lasting positive impact on student success.

Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is now offering single lane reservations. You can now reserve lanes for your friends or family up to five days in advance. Just $40 per lane per hour and rental shoes are included.

You may have up to eight people, however the recommended maximum is six per lane. Reservations can be made by phone at 316-978-3479 and payment is due at the time of booking.

The WSU Staff Senate is reestablishing the Shocker Employee and Dependent Scholarship. To make the scholarship viable, more money needs to be infused into the fund before the scholarship can be awarded. With the help of staff, faculty, administration and alumni, the Staff Senate hopes to make funds available within the next year.

Join in supporting the Shocker Employee and Dependent Scholarship on Sept. 17 and share this information with family and friends who would like to contribute. The University Staff Senate thanks you for supporting WSU employees with opportunities to further their education and increase their earning potential.