Category: News

Wichita State Rocket League qualified for the College Rocket League main event for the first time in program history Feb. 28.

The 16-team season culminates in the College Rocket League National Championship. Wichita State earned its spot through the second open qualifier after narrowly missing qualification in the first. The team defeated Virginia Tech, Davenport, The Autonomous University of Nuevo León, No. 22 Columbia College and No. 11 Oklahoma Christian.

“It’s been an extremely long time coming. After four years of improving, it’s an honor to have the opportunity to finally represent Wichita State on the biggest stage in collegiate esports,” said senior and team captain Brooks Valdez.

Matches are broadcast on Twitch, with links available on the esports program’s X account, @esportswsu.

Enter to win either a red parking spot for an entire semester or a $250 GreenPhire VISA gift card, among other prizes, by completing the confidential National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey sent to your Wichita State email address by WSU’s HOPE Services department.

For questions about the survey, contact Cora Olson, assistant director of HOPE Services, at 316-978-4792 or cora.olson@wichita.edu.

Visit the Rhatigan Student Center on Friday, March 6 for its annual Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day. All day, Wichita State faculty, staff and campus affiliate/partner staff can enjoy deals and freebies exclusively for them. Faculty/staff must show their Shocker ID. Visit wichita.edu/rscappreciation for more details.

Suspenders4Hope, a program developed at Wichita State, is highlighting different departments and individuals on campus who are advocates for mental health in hopes that their stories will inspire others to continue supporting one another in the community.

The Office of Tech Transfer and Commercialization is being recognized for its integral part in helping the Student Wellness Center and Counseling and Psychological Services launch Suspenders4Hope, leading to communities both in and outside of Wichita State having the tools necessary to support those in need.

Information Security has released a new mandatory training for all WSU student employees. The training runs for about 40 minutes and will be delivered via a Blackboard course. Students who are required to take it should receive an email notifying them to take it. The training is due March 25.

This is the same training that employees were assigned through the KnowBe4 system, but student employees are required to take it through Blackboard instead.

If you have any questions or concerns about the training, reach out to askinfosec@wichita.edu.

Travel the world with Wichita State’s Community Education program. After two international trips, Community Education is excited to announce its next adventure to Iceland.

In partnership with Collette Travel, this seven‑day experience blends learning, culture and unforgettable scenery. Highlights include Reykjavík, Thingvellir National Park, the geothermal fields of Geysir and the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. You’ll also visit the Skógar Museum, explore the Lava Exhibition Center, take a Northern Lights cruise and soak in the beauty that makes Iceland so unique.

Want to learn more? RSVP for an information session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

In May 2024, Ananda Smith graduated from Wichita State with a bachelor’s degree that included a strong emphasis on studying and practicing public policy. She is now pursuing her master’s degree in communication at the Elliott School of Communication. Throughout her academic journey, Smith has gained extensive experience in multimedia journalism and has recently added a copywriter role to her growing resume. In this position, she connects with Shockers and the greater Wichita community through her media work. 

In her first year as a graduate student, Smith worked as a reporter for The Sunflower, as a broadcast assistant for CBS Sports and as a multimedia journalist summer intern for KSNW-TV. 

In August 2025, she began her final graduate year and her new role. 

Do you have old books lying around? The Community Service Board is hosting a book drive to support the donation of a Little Free Library to Kids World Childcare Learning Center, serving children ages six weeks to five years and their families.

CSB is collecting gently used children’s books and parenting books to help create greater access to reading materials for local families. Your donation will help support early childhood literacy and create lasting opportunities for young readers in our community.

There are multiple convenient drop-off locations, including upcoming CSB general meetings and the Student Engagement & Belonging Office in 216 Rhatigan Student Center.

If you would like, include a slip of paper in your book with your name and whether you would like to be featured in a social media thank-you post recognizing donors.

As midterms approach, the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing (OSAT) will need instructors to fill out a Test Information Form for each of their courses.

Submitting this form will send the details to the OSAT Testing Center. The course information will not become available in Register Blast until after an OSAT staff member enables the option. Send your instructions at least three business days in advance of the scheduled exam for your course(s).

The exam file should also be attached to the TIF or delivered to OSAT at least three business days in advance of the scheduled exam. If the form and exam are not shared with OSAT in a timely manner, the delay in testing details may result in a tester rescheduling for a later time or day. OSAT appreciates your proactivity and look forward to working with you to ensure a smooth intake process for students.

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) will be held on April 24 in Woolsey Hall. Abstract applications for the forum are due by April 8. Review the website for more information.

For questions about URCAF, email undergraduateresearch@wichita.edu.