Category: Student Success and Persistence

The Library Research Award recognizes students who have effectively utilized University Libraries’ resources for their research or creative projects during the past academic year (summer through spring semesters). There are two $1,000 prizes, one for undergraduate students and one for graduate students awarded annually at the conclusion of the spring semester. Students do not need to have a completed project before they apply.

Encourage students to register for an upcoming informational session from 11:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 12 either in 225 Ablah Library or virtually to help them plan how they should proceed with assignments and research projects this semester.

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

• 2:30-3:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 virtually via Microsoft Teams
• 11-11:45 a.m. Monday, April 6 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

Encourage students to get extra support from TRIO Student Support Services (SSS). TRIO SSS is a program 100% funded by the Department of Education dedicated to providing resources to first-generation, limited income students and students with disabilities to strengthen student persistence and degree completion. Through personalized advising, tutoring, financial literacy education and career skill-development opportunities, TRIO SSS provides the resources and guidance for students to overcome their challenges in college.

Free services include: scholarships exclusively for TRIO SSS participants, educational trips, peer mentoring, textbooks/technology checkout, private computer lab access with free printing, academic skill-building workshops and more.

Students can apply for AY 2025-26 online or learn more at wichita.edu/sss. Visit TRIO SSS in 307 Shocker Success Center or call 316-978-3715.

Encourage students to explore the library’s secrets in a tour of Ablah Library from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3. Meet by the Circulation Desk for a tour of:

• 24-Hour Study Room and other study areas
• Tech Hub
• Other services, collections and spaces throughout Ablah Library

After the tour, in 217 Ablah Library, students will:

• Explore the library website
• Locate online articles and books through SmartSearch, A-Z Databases page and interlibrary loan
• Identify their personal librarian

RSVP is not required, but will provide students with an email reminder the day before the event. This event is part of Welcomefest and Savvy Scholar Workshops.

Encourage your students to consider joining a ProjectConnect group for the spring semester. These groups are specifically designed to help students build connections and relationships with other students across campus over six intentional sessions. Students can choose from a variety of groups, dates and times that are listed below:

Monday groups

• General Connection Group (in-person) from 11 a.m. to noon – Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16, Feb. 23, March 2 and March 9
• First In My Family (in-person) from 3 to 4 p.m. – Feb. 9, Feb. 23, March 9, March 23, April 6 and April 20

Tuesday groups

• First-Gen Health Professions Group (in-oerson) from 11 a.m. to noon – Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 10
• Native Student Group (in-person) from noon to 1 p.m. – Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 10
• Transfer Student Group (in-person) from 3 to 4 p.m. – Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3 and March 10

Wednesday groups

• Adult Learner Group (in-person) from 9 to 10 a.m. – Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 18, Feb. 25, March 4 and March 11
• First-Gen Engineering Group (in-person) from 2 to 3 p.m. – Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 18, Feb. 25, March 4 and March 11

Thursday groups

• Connection Cafe (virtual) from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. – Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, March 5 and March 26

Students can register at wichita.edu/projectconnect.

Kurzweil 3000 is a powerful reading, writing, studying and test-taking tool available to all WSU students for free. Encourage students stop by for open training either between 8 a.m. and noon Monday, Feb. 2 or between 1 and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, both in 106 Shocker Success Center, Assistive Technology Lab.

Contact the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing at osat@wichita.edu or 316-978-3309 for questions regarding Kurzweil 3000 or the training.

Encourage students to kick off the semester with confidence by joining Success Coaches and University Libraries from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 28 at Ablah Library for support with time management, semester planning and turning their syllabi into a clear plan for success.

Students can now apply to join the first cohort of WSU’s new TRIO SSS STEM program. The program provides academic support, financial guidance, tutoring, conference travel opportunities and graduate school prep for eligible STEM majors, such as first-generation college students, income-eligible students and students with a documented disability.

You can encourage students to apply at wichita.edu/sss-stem. TRIO SSS STEM is a community that helps students stay on track academically, explore career paths and prepare for graduate school, all while connecting them with resources and opportunities that make their college experience richer.

Encourage students to start the semester off warm and cozy by enjoying hot cocoa with the colleges. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, the academic colleges at WSU will serve Shockers hot cocoa to ring in the new semester.

Each college will serve hot cocoa in their respective buildings:

• College of Applied Studies: Hubbard Hall
• Barton School of Business: Woolsey Hall
• College of Engineering: John Bardo Center
• Fairmount College/Cohen Honors College: Lindquist Hall
• College of Fine Arts: Duerksen Fine Arts Center in the Miller Concert Hall
• College of Health Professions: Ahlberg Hall
• Graduate School: Jardine Hall

For questions, contact the Division of Student Affairs at 316-978-3021.

Welcomefest takes place during the first four weeks of the spring semester and features dozens of activities designed to help students kick off the new year and get connected on campus. Popular programs for new and returning Shockers include Winter Welcome Jan. 22, the Involvement Fair Jan. 29 and a variety of social, cultural and involvement-focused events.

Consider sharing this series of events with your students to help welcome them to campus or to help them get reconnected after the break. All Welcomefest events can be found at wichita.edu/welcomefest.

Welcomefest events are hosted by Wichita State departments and student organizations across campus and coordinated by Student Engagement & Belonging. If you have questions, call 316-978-3022 or email seb@wichita.edu.