Christine Cleary was one of Wichita State University’s 2020 Rudd Scholars. From Clearwater, Kansas, she moved to Wichita for college, which required her to adjust to living in a city, but thanks to the Rudd Scholarship, she was able to fully devote herself to college life and will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.

As a first-generation student, Marco Villela had to learn his way around the college life, from enrollment to moving to a new city, but he was able to persist and earn his bachelor’s degree, with plans to continue his education by pursuing a Master of Arts in criminal justice at Wichita State University.

Om Hitendra Mahajan’s goal is to continue his education in sport management as he prepares to revolutionize sports and sports careers in his home country of India. He is getting his start working with professors and mentors at Wichita State University.

Wichita State’s affordability and location brought Jordan Cline to campus. He will use his major in criminal justice to attend graduate school.

Desmond Cockrell, from Tulsa, advises fellow Shockers to take advantage of people on campus who offer advising, counseling and career help. He is the first of four siblings to earn a bachelor’s degree and hopes his story can encourage others to succeed in college.

Wichita State University Industry and Defense Programs (IDP) is proud to announce that Chris Snyder, IDP director of information technology and security, received the Trailblazing Chief Information Security Officer award from Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM), the industry’s leading electronic information security magazine.

Snyder leads the Information Technology team and cybersecurity program for IDP. His team supports over 1,500 employees working within 22 distinct research labs and technology centers. Prior to joining WSU, Chris spent 30 years in Air Force cyberspace operations and airspace management. His Air Force career included multiple command positions, highlighted by his selection to stand up a diverse new Cyber Operations Group, comprised of a Security Operations Center, a cyber hunt team and a cyber red team. Chris is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and holds a Chief Information Officer Certificate from National Defense University. He graduated from Embry Riddle University with a Bachelor of Science in aeronautics and later earned a Master of Business Administration from Webster University.

Due to the success of the recently formed parking garage ePermit add-on, Parking Services is excited to announce current ePermits will be extended through June 30, from their original expiration date of May 9, at no additional charge to current add-on ePermit holders. The garage add-on ePermit will now be available for six months at a time at the same cost of $50 per ePermit. The dates of these ePermits will be Jan. 1 through June 30 and July 1 through Dec. 31, with each add-on going on sale Jan. 1 and July 1, respectively. You must have a current ePermit on file to purchase the add-on. Add-on ePermit holders are responsible for renewing their add-on if they want to continue to park in the garage, reminders will not be sent out when the ePermit expires.

Garage add-ons can be purchased in person at the Parking Services Building (the old Campus Credit Union) with cash or check only, lobby and drive-thru hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 978-5526 or email wsuparking@wichita.edu with any questions.

Micheal Sengvilay always wanted to help people, which is why he came to Wichita State University to pursue a career in oral health. While at WSU, he persevered through challenges and is now graduating with his bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene and plans to attend dental school.

Lyndsay Pletcher has been promoted to the executive director of budget in the Division of Finance and Administration.

Lyndsay currently serves as senior budget analyst in the division, where she’s been since 2021. She previously served in the Human Resources Office as an operations lead and generalist from 2016 to 2021.

A search was conducted for the position earlier this year. Lyndsay brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise to the role.

The Office of Financial Operations and Business Technology, located in 201 Jardine Hall, will be closed Friday, May 3 for staff professional development.

The office will reopen at normal business hours Monday, May 6.