Category: News

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 Dan Close, associate professor, Elliott School of Communication.
• 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.

For the remaining Shocker Men’s Basketball games of the season, several lots in the vicinity of Koch Arena will be reserved for Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization parking three hours before game time. To help avoid confusion, a sign will be in place the day of the game alerting drivers of the impending lot assignment changes. Anyone previously parked in these lots will need to move their cars at that time.

There was recently a glitch in reporting between Banner and Blackboard during the spring 2022 enrollment period. This means some spring 2022 classes have a mismatch between their Banner rosters and their Blackboard rosters. If a student is on a faculty member’s Banner roster, they should also be on their Blackboard roster.

To resolve this issue, faculty first need to review their rosters as soon as possible. If they find a mismatch between their Banner rosters and their Blackboard rosters, they can send the course registration number and the WSUIDs of students that need to be added to Blackboard to the Office of Instruction Resources at OIR@wichita.edu.

Wichita State Study Abroad Programs appreciates all of the encouragement, support and guidance that faculty, advisors and staff provide to students who are beginning their study abroad journey.

Faculty, advisors and staff play a vital role in internationalizing the student experience at WSU. They do this by creating unique learning opportunities for students from abroad, motivating students to seek study abroad experiences and assisting students with degrees. They also help students identify experiences that fit into degree and career planning while supporting the transfer credit process for WSU students.

Please check out our new webpage to learn more about how you can help support students in the study abroad process and request presentations for your class or student organization.

The Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award is the highest honor the Governor of Kansas awards to exporting businesses. To apply, fill out the 2022 nomination form by Jan. 31.

Exporters of the Year are considered the best in the class in conducting overseas business from Kansas.

“Kansas businesses continually make a mark by creating outstanding products and services which are sought-after by customers around the world,” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said. “The Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award is our way of recognizing Kansas businesses that are tremendous ambassadors for our state and provide significant benefit in our communities and to our state’s economy.”

To qualify for the award, companies must currently operate in and export from Kansas. There are no restrictions on who may nominate a company for the award.

For more information about the Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award, including past winners, visit the Governor’s Exporter of the Year website. For more information on the award process, contact Usha Haley, W. Frank Barton of Distinguished Chair in International Business, director of the Center for International Business Advancement and elected Chair of the World Trade Council of Wichita, and committee member.

Campus and community members who missed Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Perspectives talks can now access them on YouTube. Each of the Perspectives series addressed current topics of interest and featured experts from a variety of fields. Fairmount College Dean Andrew Hippisley hosted each series. All the talks can be viewed on the Fairmount College YouTube channel.

Perspectives on the Pandemic, Part I: Topics include influenza pandemics since the Russian Flu, modeling the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19’s impact on local public health practice and policy and searching for a COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics.

Perspectives on the Pandemic, Part II: Topics include COVID-19’s impact on world democracies, opportunities for city and community changes after the pandemic, COVID-19’s effect on incarcerated people and their families, COVID-19 health disparities and COVID-19’s influence on the performing arts.

Reestablishing Reality: Topics include science and bias, current parallels with The Big Lie, motivation for ignoring facts, African-American narratives and sharing misinformation online.

Legacies of Racism in American Culture: Topics include the Bible and race in American Christian cultures; Jim Crow in the business world, becoming an American citizen and labor representation at the insurrection.

The Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences inducted three new members into its Hall of Fame on Oct. 22, 2021. The college was thrilled to formally recognize alumni Quincalee Brown, Vincent Gott and Alfonso Lenhardt for their significant impacts on the region, nation and world through their careers and professional contributions.

The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and Voya Financial have created joint quarterly newsletters designed to communicate information about both the KBOR Mandatory and Voluntary 403(b) Retirement Plans.

These newsletters are designed to help benefit-eligible employees become more aware of the plans, the expertise that goes into managing and administering the plans and the benefits the plan provides with each newsletter touching on various topics of importance.

Wichita State University Police Capt. Guy Schroeder has been named as the new police chief, effective Jan. 12. Schroeder had been serving as the interim police chief since Sept. 5, 2021, after replacing Police Chief Rodney Clark.

Schroeder began his law enforcement career at WSU in 2014 after serving as a police officer for the City of Wichita for 33 years. During that time, he served in many different positions of responsibility, including patrol officer, drug enforcement administration, detective work, SWAT team commander and undercover operations.

In announcing Schroeder’s promotion, Finance and Administration Vice President Werner Golling offered his congratulations and discussed the university’s decision to select Schroeder.

“During his time serving as interim chief of police, Schroeder has stepped up to the challenge, performed admirably and proven himself worthy of the position,” said Golling. “He cares deeply about WSU and our students, faculty and staff. I am very confident in his ability to lead our police department’s outstanding officers and team members to serve the WSU campus community.” 

The Heskett Center will close Monday, Jan. 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Heskett Center will reopen at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18. For more information, contact the Heskett Center at 316-978-3082.