Category: Student Success and Persistence

The Office of Financial Aid is celebrating Financial Aid Day with another open house from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 in 203 Jardine Hall — and you’re invited. Grab a snack, meet the team and learn about the services the office offers. Plus, you can enter raffles for great prizes.

This fall, Wichita State launched a new course designed specifically for students beginning their English degree. ENGL 198: English Career Seminar is an eight-week, one-credit-hour class that introduces students to the wide range of possibilities available to English majors and equips them with tools to begin shaping their academic and career pathways.  

The course was developed through collaboration between Dr. Francis X. Connor and Katie Lanning, Department of English, and Sarah Mathews, Shocker Career Accelerator. Together, they created a class that blends academic exploration with practical, career-focused learning.  

“Students often ask, what can I do with an English degree? This course helps answer that question early in their college journey,” said Connor. 

As deadlines approach and stress levels rise, many students are feeling the pressure. Encourage them to attend Procrastination Prevention Night from 6 p.m. to midnight Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Ablah Library for the support they need to stay on track and finish the semester strong.

The event features workshops, tutoring and more to help students tackle assignments and stay on track — as well as arts and crafts, games and food to reduce stress as deadlines approach. Plus, the library has them covered with coffee and snacks to keep them fueled and focused throughout the night, all for free.

Sponsored by the Shocker Learning Center and University Libraries.

Discover why the Student Early Alert System (SEAS) matters for student success and how success coaches play a key role in guiding students through challenges in this episode of “Teaching Matters.”

Don’t forget to RSVP for the live session to be held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15 virtually via Microsoft Teams. Grab your lunch and join online to hear from a panel of students sharing their insights on persistence and the impact faculty support can have on student success, especially during times of transition.

For questions or more information, contact Sarah Taylor at sarah.taylor@wichita.edu.

This week is a great week for faculty to provide student feedback in the Student Early Alert System (SEAS), the system that enables you to give feedback to all students in your courses on their individual progress in terms of attendance, participation, assignments and exams/quizzes. Also remember to remove the risk for any students making progress whom you flagged in prior weeks to provide the most accurate data on the impact this tool has on student behavior.

For more information about SEAS, visit the SEAS website.

Wichita State’s Open/Alternative Textbook (OAT) Committee would like to congratulate:

• Amy Drassen Ham
• Anastasia Smith
• Andrea E. Banke
• Carolyn Speer

On their successful creation and approval of 10 new OAT-Z (zero-cost) and OAT-L (low cost of under $50) courses and on their commitment to making higher education within reach for more students.

If you would like more information on OAT courses, visit the Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative website, where you can also access the OAT course designation request forms.

The deadline to submit OAT designation request forms for fall 2026 is Feb. 15, 2026.

The Department of Political Science has extended the application deadline for the spring 2026 Washington D.C. and Topeka Internship Program to Friday, Oct. 10. Academic credit and housing funding is available for accepted students. For any questions, contact Dr. Neal Allen at neal.allen@wichita.edu or 316-978-7133.

Open to all undergraduate students interested in learning more about research, students can learn about the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA) Hub, affiliated research programs and companies, information on funding and a brief introduction to the Office of Research during Research Week from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 22 in Ablah Library.

Do you know students who are passionate about campus life, advocacy or leadership?

Encourage them to apply for Leadership for Free Expression, a two-day program hosted by the Kansas Leadership Center. This unique opportunity equips students with tools to engage in respectful, impactful conversations and demonstrations around the issues they care about most.

The program:

• Is ideal for student government reps, RAs, club leaders, athletes and campus advocates
• Builds skills in civil discourse, risk-aware advocacy and productive engagement with campus authorities
• Connects students across Kansas for powerful peer learning

Let’s help students lead with purpose and confidence.

Spots are limited, so share this opportunity today. The registration deadline is Oct. 24.

Are you looking for ways to help your students explore career options and make informed decisions about their future? Attend the upcoming PathwayU: Overview & Advisor Access trainings:

• 11-11:45 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 virtually via Microsoft Teams
• 11-11:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10 virtually via Microsoft Teams

Register on myTraining via your myWSU.

PathwayU is the comprehensive career assessment tool, utilized by the Shocker Career Accelerator. It is designed to guide students to their purpose, supporting their success and persistence. In this training session, you will learn how to:

• Navigate the platform’s features, including assessments, career matches, WSU major alignment and military crosswalk
• Gain valuable insights into student interests and career aspirations
• Integrate PathwayU into your teaching or advising practices to empower students

Prior to the session, create an account at wichita.pathwayu.com and take the four career assessments.