Category: News

Students are requested to provide updated information to Wichita State anytime there is a change to contact information. This includes mailing address, phone number and emergency contact. It is especially important that you provide and update an emergency contact.

The person you list will only be contacted in the event of a health or safety emergency in which you are personally involved. If you live on campus, this will also be the person contacted should you be reported as missing. You may list a parent, family member, spouse or other trusted individual as your emergency contact. You will find the link to your profile page on the myWSU Home tab, under “Student Tools” and “myContact Info.” A separate link there also provides an opportunity to update self-reported military affiliation.

Please take a few minutes and ensure WSU has your updated information and an emergency contact.

The division of Industry and Defense Programs (IDP) has recently made several changes to its finance administration and contracts departments.

• David Miller, previously WSU executive director of budgets, has moved to IDP as associate vice president of finance and operations. In this newly created position, Miller reports to John Tomblin, senior vice president for Industry and Defense Programs.
  Miller works directly with university research and industry-facing organizations such as the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), FirePoint Innovations Center, the National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation, and GoCreate, a Koch Collaborative.
• Lois Tatro and Paul Werner will continue in their respective positions as IDP director of financial services and special projects and NIAR senior director of financial reporting.
• Robyn Bongartz joins Miller as director of revenue operations for IDP. Bongartz was previously director of accounts receivable for WSU. In her new role she will initially focus on improving processes, management and recognition of all aspects of revenue from billing to payment. To accomplish this, she will work directly with IDP business managers, directors and the research accounting team. Bongartz has worked at the university in various capacities since 1993.
• Lisa Haggard returns to the university as director of contracts and grants for IDP after spending a year with Textron Aviation Defense. In this position, Haggard reports to Tomblin, and will oversee pre-award activities, including the development and timely submission of technical and cost proposals that are compliant with customer requirements; negotiation and award of contracts and grants; administration of contract and grants from account set up through closeout; and negotiation, award and administration of subcontracts. Haggard previously worked for NIAR/IDP for eight years as a grant manager.
• Amy Smith continues as the associate director of post-award for IDP, reporting to Miller.
• Karen Davis is returning to the Office of Research as director, reporting dually to Tomblin and Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president.

Contact information:

• David Miller, associate vice president of finance and operations, Industry & Defense Program
  NIAR, room 223, 978-5821 david.miller2@idp.wichita.edu
• Robyn Bongartz, director of revenue operations, Industry & Defense Programs
  NIAR, room 207C, phone TBD, robyn.bongartz@idp.wichita.edu
• Lisa Haggard, director of contracts and grants, Industry & Defense Programs
  Partnership Building P2, 316-655-6936, lisa.haggard@idp.wichita.edu
• Karen Davis, director, Office of Research, WSU
  Jardine Hall, 978-6808, karen.davis@wichita.edu

The Service-Learning Showcase is a unique opportunity for students who participate in service-learning through applied learning opportunities to showcase their experience through a research or reflective poster about the application of their course work to current community issues. For 2024, the showcase will be held in a digital format and judged by a team of community partner leaders.

The showcase is an open forum for students to interact with faculty/staff, community partners and other students to engage in conversation about Wichita State’s commitment to the public good. Awards are presented in the following categories:

• Outstanding Overall Service-Learning Project: $150 scholarship to winning entry
• Innovation and Creativity in Problem Solving: $100 scholarship to winning entry
• Community Impact/ Community Choice: $100 scholarship to winning entry
• Collaboration and Leadership in Service-Learning: $100 scholarship to winning entry

Submissions are due April 5. For more information and to submit, visit the showcase website.

The Budget Advisory Committee (BAC), consisting of appointed faculty, staff, students and administrators, serves to host campus budget conversations to provide an educational and communicative platform regarding university finances.

As part of these efforts, the committee wishes to engage campus to gather input, ideas and opportunities from the WSU community that can positively impact financial outcomes and budgetary planning. Through the committee’s Idea Generator, thoughtful ideas can be shared in a transparent, inclusive and collaborative process to ensure all ideas – regardless of origin – can receive consideration based on its merit. Submitted ideas are open to all of campus to both view and leave feedback.

Wichita State’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is still accepting additional applications for the 2024-25 school year.

The program is open to all majors and has both full- and part-time schedule options. MSW students go on to work in mental health, forensics, health care, addiction treatment, aging, human resources, schools, international settings, child and family welfare, disaster relief, athletic programs and more.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for social work over the next decade is growing faster than average.

If you have students interested, encourage them to contact MSW Director Shaunna Millar at shaunna.millar@wichita.edu or visit the school’s website for prospective applicants.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) announced the promotion of Samantha Tedder, M.S., LMLP as the new associate director, clinical director.

After multiple years as a mental health counselor and group therapy coordinator at CAPS, she will transition into her new role. Samantha brings great organizational skills, superior communication and most importantly a wonderful clinical eye.

Do you want to “be the change”? Social work may be the right path for you.

Wichita State’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program is accepting additional applications for the 2024-25 school year. The program is open to all majors and has both full- and part-time schedule options.

MSW students go on to work in mental health, forensics, health care, addiction treatment, aging, human resources, schools, international settings, child and family welfare, disaster relief, athletic programs and more.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for social work over the next decade is growing faster than average.

For more information, contact MSW Director Shaunna Millar at shaunna.millar@wichita.edu or visit the website for prospective applicants.

Rhatigan Student Center Engraving is ready to assist with award needs for the end of the 2023-24 academic year.

Even if you are not sure who your winners are just yet, RSC Engraving can assist with getting your awards selected, in stock and ready to personalize as winners are announced. Production times average one to two weeks during the end-of-year rush, so it suggests starting the process early.

To get started, simply stop by the shop located in lower level of the RSC, email rsc.engraving@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7048.

Saurabh Sanjay Singh, a doctoral student in the Department of Industrial, Systems and Manufacturing Engineering (ISME), won first place in the poster competition at the IISE (Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers) South Central Conference. The conference was held from Feb. 29 through March 2 at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and his research was entitled, “Blood Supply Chain Simulation – An Investigatory Analysis.”

According to Dr. Deepak Gupta, a professor and associate chair in the ISME department who provided guidance to Singh, his research stood out among competitors, demonstrating the high caliber of education and mentorship in the ISME department. His presentation not only garnered praise from peers and professionals alike but also resonated strongly with high school students in attendance.

“The unanimous feedback from these younger attendees highlighted how Saurabh’s clear and engaging delivery made complex engineering concepts accessible, leaving them feeling empowered rather than overwhelmed,” Dr. Gupta said.

The conference included participation from esteemed universities across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas, including Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Missouri-Columbia, among others. The event featured an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, such as Dr. Russell D. Meller, principal scientist at FORTNA; Tyler Beneke, product manager at Google; and Vance Clement, CEO at Lineus Medical; enriching the conference with their vast industry insights. Their presence underscored the conference’s significance as a melting pot of ideas and innovations in the industrial engineering field.

“A special mention goes to Dr. Cindi Mason, associate teaching professor in the ISME department, whose efforts were instrumental in facilitating this enriching experience for all WSU attendees,” Singh said. “Her dedication to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for students to explore and excel is a testament to the department’s commitment to excellence.”

Singh’s achievement not only brings pride to WSU but also highlights the ISME department’s role in shaping future leaders in engineering. It is a reflection of the quality of education, mentorship and opportunities available to students, poised to make significant contributions to the field of engineering.

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program’s 2025-26 competition features over 400 awards offered in more than 130 countries. Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards allow United States citizens to teach, research and carry out professional projects abroad. Applications are accepted until Sept. 16, but it’s not too early to see what’s possible.

Curious to see what Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards have to offer? Visit the webinar schedule for events throughout the competition and register to join. Up next:

• March 20: Sub-Saharan Africa
• March 27: Middle East and North Africa
• April 2: Global Hidden Gems of the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Competition for 2025-26
• April 9: Ask Us Anything: Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program 2025-26 Open Forum