Category: Student Success and Persistence

Your students will learn how to capture and track their writing project resources with Zotero in the upcoming Savvy Scholar workshop from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 30 online. There is no cost to attend, and with the new attendance tracking system, offering extra credit for student participation is now simpler than ever.

They’ll use Zotero to create citations and reference lists while writing their papers, share resources with their team and organize their research efficiently.

The Cohen Honors College is seeking faculty mentors to work with students selected to participate in the First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) in STEM. The mission of the FYRE in STEM program is to build a community of STEM students, faculty and professionals from various STEM backgrounds to support young STEM majors or potential majors as they form identities as members of the scientific community, thus improving the likelihood that they will persist to graduation.

To allow the FYRE in STEM program to be a success, it is looking for dedicated research mentors from across campus who can provide an appropriate short-term STEM research project in the spring 2026 semester. Faculty should apply by Oct. 20 and are also encouraged to nominate graduate students to serve as FYRE mentors. All mentors will be matched with students based on interest. Questions may be directed to Moriah Beck at moriah.beck@wichita.edu or 316-978-5476.

If you know of a first-year undergraduate student who may be interested in applying to the FYRE in STEM program, direct them to FYRE in STEM student application.

Learn more about FYRE in STEM at wichita.edu/FYRE.

The First-Year Seminars (FYS) program will host an informational session at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 in 256 RSC, Edmiston Room. The session will describe the process on how to create and teach an FYS class for first-year students.

Teaching an FYS is an excellent opportunity to support the academic transition of first-year students to Wichita State and support student success and persistence. For more information, contact Brett Bruner, assistant vice president for Student Success & Persistence, at brett.bruner@wichita.edu.

Emails went out this week reminding faculty to provide student feedback in the Student Early Alert System (SEAS). To educate students about SEAS, below is a brief message you can post in your classes:

SEAS (the Student Early Alert System) is a tool used by faculty to identify students who, if they continue with their current academic behavior, are in danger of not doing well in their course. Faculty may go into the system at any time during the semester to flag your academic behavior for attendance, participation, assignments, quizzes and exams. An email will be sent encouraging you to seek assistance from your instructor or other university resources. When you get the email you are not in trouble. It is a nudge for you to look at your current habits and see how you can improve. This message will also include a link to “raise your hand” virtually for assistance from the Student Success team if you need it.

To learn more about the SEAS process and how it can help your students succeed visit the website at wichita.edu/SEAS.

Join the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub (UReCA) to learn about the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) and K-IMBRE programs by listening to students currently participating in them. The event is at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room. RSVP by emailing undergraduateresearch@wichita.edu.

In this upcoming session at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2 in 265 Rhatigan Student Center, Lucas Room, students will learn about the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub (UReCA), affiliated research programs and companies, information on funding and a brief introduction to the office of research. The event is open to all undergraduate students interested in learning more about research.

This semester, undergraduate students can earn a $500 stipend through participation in a water science communications fellowship designed to enhance their understanding of careers in environmental science and communication. This program not only enriches their resumes but also fosters networking with local professionals in the field.

Students will engage in approximately five to seven project meetings, three field trips and collaborate on a group project. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

For more details, a Q&A session will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 in RSC Meeker Room. This will be a flexible event where you can drop by to learn more and address any questions you may have. Share this opportunity with students who may be interested.

This fellowship is organized by the Environmental Finance Center at WSU and is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. It is open to citizens of the United States, its territories or to individuals lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residency.

The Retention Fellows are excited to launch The Teaching Matters Podcast — bringing monthly Teaching Matters sessions to you in short, on-demand episodes. Each episode will highlight strategies, tools or campus resources designed to support teaching, learning and student success.

New episodes will be posted on the Teaching Matters webpage throughout the semester, with announcements shared in WSU Today.

The first episode features a conversation with Chelsea Dey, lead success coach in the Office of Student Success, about the newly designed Faculty Collaboration Corner. This resource helps faculty easily integrate student success programming into their classrooms through tools, strategies and classroom-ready ideas that build community and improve retention.

Check it out today and see how Teaching Matters can support your work inside and outside the classroom.

Do you know a STEM student who loves conducting research? They may be eligible to receive an award of up to $7,500 for an entire academic year. Interested students can join an informative workshop on the Barry Goldwater Scholarship application process from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 in 265 Rhatigan Student Center, Lucas Room for an opportunity to learn how to craft a compelling application and get their questions answered. Students can RSVP by emailing: undergraduateresearch@wichita.edu.

This event is sponsored by the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub, the Graduate School, Cohen Honors College and the McNair Scholars Program.

If you have students who need help with their financial aid, through Friday, Aug. 29 advising at the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will be walk-in only, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday in 203 Jardine Hall. No appointments necessary — students can just stop by. Students can also visit for financial aid questions at OneStop in the Shocker Success Center for quick support and answers.

• Don’t forget to let students know they can check their Financial Aid Dashboard in their myWSU to stay on top of their aid status and requirements
• There’s still time for them to complete their 2025-26 FAFSA
• Do your students need help after hours? They can call the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at 316-978-3430