Category: News

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

Less than two weeks remain to enter the Shocker New Venture Competition by Thursday, March 28. It’s time students showcased their entrepreneurial talents, gain valuable feedback from industry experts and compete for up to $25,000 to fund their business ideas.

Empower your students to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations and succeed in their ventures. Encourage them to apply.

The College of Engineering has announced that Dr. M. Edwin Sawan will serve as the director of its School of Computing for a term of three years. He had been serving as an interim department chair for the College of Engineering since 2022. Within his role as an interim department chair, Dr. Sawan was particularly passionate about ensuring faculty, staff and students feel valued. During the recent search for someone to serve in a more permanent role, Dr. Sawan was one of the candidates recommended by the department faculty, and ultimately, was selected.

Before serving as the interim department chair for the School of Computing, Dr. Sawan served as a professor in the (then) Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department for 30 years. During his tenure, he won numerous teaching awards and was published many times. Following the death of his wife, Dr. Sawan founded the Maha “Maggie” Sawan Fellowship for international graduate students in 2011, which awards two new Sawan Fellows each academic year.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Student Activities Council (SAC) has made the decision to cancel the Tree of Hope event scheduled March 11-15.

SAC thanks everyone for their understanding and hope to see the community at other upcoming events.

Five Wichita State students were selected to present at Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol March 1. Students, faculty, Kansas Board of Regents members, state lawmakers and members of the public were invited to visit the Capitol Rotunda to view the students’ presentations. Day at the Capitol showcases the work of up to 40 Kansas undergraduate student projects representing each of the state’s eight public four-year institutions. It emphasizes higher education’s role in developing educated citizens and preparing a workforce with the necessary skills to further the economic growth of the state.

Student presenters from Wichita State:

• Max Gosch, anthropology major with faculty mentor Matthew Howland, presented, “AI Archaeology: Automated Python for GIS Implementation”
• Bayle Sandy, political science major with faculty mentor Alexandra Middlewood, presented, “Heat Waves in the Heartland”
• Jessica Lada, ceramics major with faculty mentor Ted Adler, presented, “Shaping Clay: Exploring the Intersection of Tradition and Technology”
• Nhu Nguyen, mechanical engineering professor with faculty mentor Wei Wei, presented, “Additive Manufacturing of Thermally Resilient Material using Polymer Derived Ceramic via Direct Ink Writing”
• Morgan Sutter, communication sciences and disorders major with faculty mentor Cynthia Richburg, presented, “Audiologists’, Hearing Instrument Specialists’, and Other Related Professionals’ Perspective on the Use of Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids”

“We know that students engaged in faculty-mentored research and creative activity are better prepared for professional success,” said Kimberly Engber, dean of the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College. “We are proud to present this significant undergraduate work from across Kansas to state legislators and other guests visiting Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol.”

Day at the Capitol participation is open to all undergraduate students by competitive application. The Cohen Honors College coordinates Wichita State participant selection and travel.

The Barton School of Business proudly announces Tadd Fowler as its spring 2024 Executive-in-Residence. He currently holds the position of senior vice president at The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G). In his role as Executive-in-Residence, Fowler will deliver a dynamic keynote presentation open to the public, conduct mentoring sessions for students, deliver guest lectures, participate in meetings with Barton School leadership to discuss program and curriculum innovations as well as engage in various other activities.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tadd Fowler, an accomplished Barton School alumnus, back as our Executive-in-Residence,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “We wholeheartedly invite students, faculty, staff, industry leaders and the general public to seize the extraordinary opportunities to glean invaluable insights from a distinguished executive at one of the world’s most esteemed companies.”

The Rhatigan Student Center and its departments will have altered hours March 10-15 for Spring Break. Visit the RSC Hours webpage for details (wichita.edu/rschours).