Category: News

Wichita State has released the names of the 3,865 students included in the fall 2024 semester Dean’s Honor Roll list. To be included on the honor roll, students must be a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours) and have at least a 3.5 grade point average on the 4.0 scale.

Colleges and departments are invited to submit proposals for the State of Kansas Applied Learning Funds. 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 ensure these funds have a lasting positive impact on student success.

The University Staff Senate invites the Wichita State community to submit nominations for outstanding university staff for the 2025 President’s Award for Distinguished Service and the newly established Staff Excellence Awards. These awards recognize the dedication and excellence of Wichita State staff who have provided exemplary, dedicated and caring service to the WSU community that is beyond the expectations of the duties and responsibilities of their position. Selected honorees are recognized at the annual Shocker Pride Celebration. Nominations can be submitted by anyone from within the Wichita State community.

To nominate a deserving staff member, visit the nomination webpage to learn more.

Nomination materials must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. Send your nomination electronically to Gabriel Fonseca at gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu

The Student Activities Council (SAC) is hosting the second annual Shockers Got Talent at 7 p.m. March 28 in the CAC Theater and SAC is currently looking for faculty/staff volunteers to serve as judges.

Judges would need to be available on the day of the show beginning at 6:15 p.m. through the end of the show at approximately 10 p.m. Judges will receive one complimentary guest ticket. Submit your interest form by midnight March 7 at wichita.edu/SGT. If you have any questions about the event, email traditions@wichita.edu.

The event features up to 12 talented student acts from a wide variety of backgrounds, with the winning act receives a $1,000 scholarship.

The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards is looking for bright young students to join the academic integrity and student conduct hearing boards, an opportunity to gain community service hours and have a lasting impact on your college campus.

Along with the training to be an active and engaged board member, you will also get to help create the future of what these boards look like. Serving on the Academic Integrity Committee or Student Conduct Board will allow you to meet and work with faculty and staff at WSU, engage with your peers and broaden your network.

If you have any questions or are interested in joining, reach out to Kyle Wilson at kyle.wilson@wichita.edu.

If you are using or would like to use open/alternative texts (OAT) in your course, fill out the OAT-Z (zero cost) form or OAT-L ($50 or less) form. The deadline to submit a form for the fall semester is Saturday, Feb. 15. Students will be able to see your OAT designation in the schedule.

According to a study published in “Psychology Learning & Teaching,” open-source textbooks have been found to increase both engagement and satisfaction for students, while lowering their financial burden.  

Open-source course materials include:

• Open-access textbook
• Library resources
• Open educational materials
• Multimedia resources
• Faculty-authored materials

For more information on OAT courses and materials, visit the Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative webpage.

Chad Childs, Prevention Initiatives manager at WSU’s Community Engagement Institute, has been invited to join the Substance Use System Transformation and Integration Network (SUSTAIN) Learning Collaborative, supported by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), Pew Charitable Trusts and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Selected by Laura Moore from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Chad will help advance substance use disorder (SUD) prevention, treatment and recovery services in Kansas.

Over a year, teams will participate in virtual meetings, receive expert guidance and explore ways to expand access to naloxone, addiction treatment medications and evidence-based SUD services. The initiative builds on CHCS’s strategies for using Medicaid and public funding to strengthen SUD care. Chad’s involvement in SUSTAIN will support equitable, effective substance use care and policy improvements in Kansas.

Reminder that the spring 2025 term is the final semester for Panopto use at WSU. If you are an instructor or staff member who has used Panopto in the past and would like to keep your videos, download the videos now using these instructions.

The Office of Instructional Resources supports this effort, so if you run into issues, reach out at OIR@wichita.edu. Videos that are not removed from Panopto will be lost when the contract expires, and there are no university services available to remove them for you.

The Office of Online and Adult Learning is preparing to host its sixth annual Adult Learner of the Year (ALOTY) awards ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m. April 3 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

Every year, the ALOTY awards recognize an outstanding adult student at Wichita State, a WSU partner and a community partner who support these adult learners on their journey towards a degree. To qualify for the ALOTY award, a student must be 24 years or older, have a 2.5 GPA and demonstrate leadership, Shocker Pride and perseverance towards obtaining a degree.

Nominations are now open for the ALOTY awards. To learn more about the ALOTYs and see some of the past recipients, go to wichita.edu/aloty. For any questions, call 316-978-8315 or email Pamela O’Neal at pamela.oneal@wichita.edu

Mikaila Alexis Medina Saldivar has accepted an invitation of lifetime membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), the nation’s leading certified honor society for high-achieving first- and second-year college students with a minimum of a 3.4 GPA.

NSCS is an honors organization that invites less than 10% of all eligible students nationwide to join the ranks of its diverse membership each year. A leading interdisciplinary academic honor society, NSCS is made up of scholars from two-year, four-year and online institutions.

Notable SCS distinguished honorary members include former president Jimmy Carter, U.S. Ambassador Dr. Robin Rence Sanders, the late Senator John McCain, and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala.

Joining NSCS offers numerous benefits for high-achieving students. NSCS recognizes academic excellence and provides members with access to exclusive scholarships, leadership opportunities and community service initiatives. Members can enhance their resumes with official credentials, participate in professional development programs and connect with a nationwide network of peers and mentors. Additionally, NSCS offers discounts on various services, including travel and study resources.

This membership is relevant to students seeking to maximize their college experience, gain recognition for their academic achievements, and build a strong foundation for future career success. By joining NSCS, students can celebrate their accomplishments and take advantage of resources that support their educational and professional goals.