Shocker Blast: Friday, Jan. 30, 2026

Resources

Register for your ProjectConnect group

Looking to meet new people and make friends? ProjectConnect is a six-week program that connects students with fellow Shockers to begin building their campus community. Connection is essential to the college experience. There are a variety of small groups to choose from focused on building friendships and connections to resources, involvement opportunities and to people.

Groups start meeting in February. Find the list of groups to join and secure your spot by registering before Jan. 31 on the ProjectConnect website.

Kurzweil 3000 open training is available for all students

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

Questions? Contact the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing at osat@wichita.edu or 316-978-3309.

Schedule your exams with OSAT

All students may now schedule their exams through Register Blast with the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing. For students with testing accommodations through OSAT, your testing appointments are free. If you do not see your course listed, remind your instructor to send OSAT their test information form.

For students who do not have accommodations, OSAT offers “MAKE-UP” exams with a $20 fee. These exams can be taken if your instructor approves of an extension due to an emergency, absence or illness. You may also schedule with OSAT if your instructor approves for you to test early or retake an exam.

Let OSAT know if you have any questions by emailing testingcenter@wichita.edu or calling 316-978-8378.

Child Development Center has pre-K openings

The Child Development Center has some open pre-K spots for the rest of the year. Children must be going to kindergarten in fall 2026. Call 316-978-3109 for more information.

New TRIO SSS STEM program is available. Apply today

Join the very first SSS STEM cohort at Wichita State. This program provides academic support, financial guidance, tutoring, conference travel opportunities and graduate school prep for eligible STEM majors.

Who’s eligible?

First-generation college students
Income-eligible students
Students with a documented disability

Why join?

TRIO SSS STEM is more than a program — it’s a community. It helps you stay on track academically, explore career paths and prepare for graduate school, all while connecting you with resources and opportunities that make your college experience richer.

Learn more and apply

Events and Recreation

Graphic celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker, established in 2016. The design features illustrated food items, hygiene products, and professional clothing surrounding a central anniversary badge. Event details at the bottom read: “Monday, Feb. 2 | 10 a.m. – while supplies last, Rhatigan Student Center first floor,” with a note for free tote bags while supplies last.

The Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker celebrates 10 years of service to Wichita State

Help celebrate 10 years of the Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker. For a decade, the support locker has been here to support the WSU community by providing access to essential resources so you can focus on what matters most. Stop by its table at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2 on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center to get free tote bags and goodies to stuff your bags with (while supplies last).

Join in celebrating this milestone and the support locker’s continued commitment to WSU students, faculty and staff.

Wichita State Day at Riverfest with photos of the community engaged with WSU representatives and WuShock.

Help create an unforgettable Shocker experience at FutureFest

Let’s build a high-energy Shocker Zone designed to spark curiosity, celebrate innovation and connect thousands of visitors with the incredible people and programs across WSU at this year’s FutureFest. All colleges, departments and divisions are invited to host an engagement footprint in the Shocker Zone.

For questions or more information, you are invited to attend one two virtual information meetings:

Presentations and Talks

Campus community invited to legislative update session in the RSC

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the legislature relevant to Wichita State. The next meeting for the legislative session is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room. The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students.

Biological sciences seminar begins with Yuanyuan Gao from the Department of Biomedical Engineering Feb. 2

The Department of Biological Sciences’ spring 2026 seminar series begins Monday, Feb. 2. The first seminar is from 4 to 5 p.m. in 218 Hubbard Hall with Dr. Yuanyuan Gao of the biomedical engineering department. She will give a public lecture titled, “Introduction to Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.”

Seminars are open to the public and undergraduates are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit wichita.edu/biology.

Attend panel on seed grants for behavioral health Jan. 30

This semester, HealthHum and Kansas Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (KBHCoE) are joining forces to co-host an exciting event series on mental and behavioral health.

Join them for their first event, a panel on KBHCoE seed grants, at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30 in 319 Rhatigan Student Center, McKay Room.

Recipients of KBHCoE seed grants from psychology, social work and athletics will share their projects and perspectives. Thomas Skinner, the research director of KBHCoE, will moderate a discussion including Sam Slade, Mohamad Ballout, Mia Ocean, Maddi Defrain and C. Brendan Clark. Refreshments will be served.

News

Tim Cao: Barton School of Business alumnus’ career journey as a business support analyst

In December 2023, Timothy “Tim” Cao earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with multiple emphases in economics, finance and real estate, with a minor in business analytics from Wichita State.

Cao continued his education at the Barton School of Business and in December 2024 he earned his master’s degree in economics and quantitative analysis with a data analytics concentration. Now at POET, Cao is a business support analyst, where his expertise in data analysis is vital in POET’s operations. A year after becoming an alumnus, Cao reflects on his academic and career journey with Wichita State’s support.

Join in spreading warmth this winter through the Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker winter coat drive

This winter, the Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker is hosting a coat drive. From Tuesday, Jan. 20 to Friday, Feb. 6, donate winter coats, jackets, sweaters, gloves and scarves to help Shockers stay warm this winter season.

Drop your donations off in bins located around campus – drop off locations include:

219 Rhatigan Student Center, Student Government Association office
Shocker Hall lobby
Shocker Success Center

For questions, visit the Student Government Association in 219 RSC or email sga.locker@wichita.edu.