Category: News

The Office of Strategic Communications offers headshots for WSU faculty and staff at no charge. Headshot events will be scheduled twice a semester over two days at the Rhatigan Student Center (RSC). Headshots are available by appointment only and are now open for Feb. 22 and 23.

RSC (Room 266)
2:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb 22
8:30-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb 23

During February, the Wichita State Police Department will pick up donations from students, faculty and staff for the Shocker Support Locker. The Shocker Support Locker helps combat food insecurity within the Wichita State community. The Locker is open to all WSU students, faculty, and staff.

The department is accepting the following items:

• Canned food
• Dry food
• Hygiene products.

The officers are accepting the donations at their location on campus at 1845 Fairmont St. Members can also have their donations picked up by a member of the department by calling 316-978-3450.

Employees enrolled in 2022 coverage through the State Employee Health Plan can earn a premium discount worth $480 annually and Health Savings Account (HSA)/Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) reward dollars up to $500 per year for each employee and covered spouse, just by participating and logging healthy activities throughout the year.

In February, there are four events currently scheduled worth up to 29 credits.

• Jan. 31–Feb. 25, “Commit to Be Fit Challenge,” registration is available through Feb. 6 via your HealthQuest portal. (Participants who achieve 80% or more of the goal will earn four HealthQuest Credits)
• 1 p.m. Feb. 9, EAP Webinar “Healthy Lifestyle: Changing the Way You Think About Diet and Exercise.” Click here to register. (one credit)
• Feb. 15, on-campus Biometric Screening in Rhatigan Student Center (Room 261). Schedule your appointment today in the HealthQuest portal, or by calling 1-888-275-1205, option 3. (Up to 23 credits)
• February 23, 1:00 PM, EAP Webinar “Living Nicotine Free” Click here to register. (one credit)

Now is a good time to take advantage of some of the on-demand and online options to earn HealthQuest points.

• Online Wellness Assessment: You can earn ten points for completing this assessment.
• 2022 HealthQuest Program overview Video and Quiz: You can earn three points for watching this video and completing the short quiz.
• Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 points (max one health coaching per day, one point each) by scheduling Health Coaching Sessions. You can choose a health coach who is a nurse (RN), a dietitian or a trainer when scheduling sessions.
• Learning Modules: You can earn up to 12 points by completing on-demand learning modules in the HealthQuest portal. There are many different topics to choose from.
• EAP On-Demand Trainings: You can earn up to 10 points combined by completing EAP On-Demand trainings that you can access through the HealthQuest portal and attending EAP webinars (max one point per day).
• Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn 10 points by completing this five-week learning module.

Students need to provide updated information in the Wichita State portal any time there is a change to their contact information. This includes mailing address, phone number and emergency contact. The person listed will only be contacted during the event of a health or safety emergency in which they are personally involved.

Students who need to update their information should go to the myWSU Home tab, under Student Tools > myContact info. A separate link there also provides an opportunity to update self-reported military affiliation.

The members of the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) received cookies as part of the Rick Rewards Presentation on Wednesday, Jan. 26.

Rick Rewards is a new program by President Rick Muma that launched in December 2021. The program allows President Muma to show his appreciation for the efforts of a member, or members, of the campus community.

SEM was selected because of its continued commitment to WSU’s strategic plan to grow enrollment. SEM’s ongoing efforts to make people aware of opportunities at WSU. including quality educational programs coupled with applied learning, have continued to help WSU prosper.

The SEM group is made up of various offices and departments including admission, financial aid, strategic communications, registrar and others that is charged with creating unique strategies to help grow WSU’s student body. It provides prospective students a seamless transition to Shocker Nation.

What is a first-gen student?

A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor’s degree. A student who is the first person in their immediate family to attend a four-year college/university to attain a bachelor’s degree.

• Focus on first-gen: This week we highlight Marco Hernandez, assistant professor, School of Art, Design and Creative Industries.
• Sign-up to join the First-Gen Affinity Shockers: The group fosters a community of first-generation professionals and offers professional development and networking opportunities for first-gen professionals as they navigate Wichita State University.

The January issue of Teaching Today is now available. This issue includes highlights from the Academic Resources Conference earlier in the month. It also includes important technical information and updates that all instructors need to know including how to obtain human captions in lecture videos.

To subscribe to Teaching Today or to make recommendations to Teaching Today, send a request to the Office of Instructional Resources know at OIR@wichita.edu.

Loren Huckstadt, 72, retired Wichita State police sergeant, passed away Jan. 22, after a courageous battle with Lymphoma. Loren served in the Marine Corps, and was a sharp-shooter, pilot, master gunsmith and historian. He was a WSU graduate, majoring in criminal justice and history. He earned numerous awards and certifications and was sought for his amazing knowledge of military history and weapons.

Loren is survived by his son, Len, and his wife, Alicia. 

Due to unexpected circumstances, the Human Resources (HR) Office front lobby will close for unscheduled walk-in traffic through the end of the business day Friday, Jan. 28. If you have a scheduled appointment with an HR team member, they will meet you in the HR vestibule at your scheduled time.

To schedule an appointment during this time, please contact 316-978-3065 or email the HR Service Center. The HR office front lobby will reopen Monday, Jan. 31, and will resume normal business hours.

Fairmont College faculty, staff are invited to a town hall with President Rick Muma beginning at 2 p.m. today, Jan. 31 via Zoom. Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Shirley Lefever will also be a featured guest.