WSU Today: Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Faculty and Staff Resources

Back-to-School Class Prep & ARC Watch Party, Aug. 4-5. Visit wichita.edu/fare

FARE will hold two-day Class Prep Sprint event for faculty Aug. 4-5 during ARC

The Office of Faculty Advancement, Retention, and Excellence (FARE) will hold a two-day Class Prep Sprint for faculty to prepare for the semester starting. FARE will provide coffee, bagels, snacks and camaraderie. Sign up now to let FARE know to expect you to prepare enough refreshments.

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4 and Tuesday, Aug. 5. Participate for half-days or whole days. There will be a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. Bring your lunch so that you can spend that time getting to know your colleagues, if you’d like.
Where: Wichita State Connect, rooms 106 and 107
What: In one room, there will be a quiet space for working on your class prep. In the room next door, you can either choose to participate in Academic Resource Conference sessions, discuss plans with colleagues or get advice from Office of Instructional Resources staff or FARE coordinator Dr. Debby Hinsdale, a curriculum specialist.

To pre-schedule time to consult with Office of Instructional Resources staff, fill out the request form here.

Wichita State offering walk-in headshot photos at event

The Office of Strategic Communications will offer headshot photos to WSU faculty and staff at no additional charge. These opportunities are quick and walk-in only without needing to schedule an appointment.

The next headshot photo event is from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 6 in 266 Rhatigan Student Center, Pike Room.

Additional dates will be announced in the future.

Learn more about headshots and what to expect at wichita.edu/headshots.

WSU employees can complete annual exams and lab work at SHS.

Faculty/staff can schedule annual health appointments at Student Health

Student Health Services is offering current WSU faculty and staff the ability to schedule their HealthQuest physical exam and lab work April 1 through July 31.

If you do not have a primary care provider and currently have private insurance through your employment with WSU, call to schedule your appointment with Student Health providers at 316-978-4792.

News

Students walking in front of the Wichita State mural in the Rhatigan Student Center as they're filmed by a cameraman for a TV show.

Let your students know about the Student Stories series audition form

The Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing is seeking students who are comfortable on camera to be featured in an upcoming series of Student Stories videos for Wichita State’s social media.

Students can submit their two minute audition videos through the online Student Stories form, which should briefly showcase their stories and personalities. If a student is selected, Wichita State will produce a short feature video to be posted on WSU’s social media.

The following are a few examples of similar features created by WSU:

For questions, contact Marcus Wright, director of videography in the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, at marcus.wright@wichita.edu.

2025 Kansas English published on WSU’s Open Journal Systems

The 2025 issue of Kansas English, the award-winning peer-reviewed journal of the Kansas Association of Teachers of English (KATE), is now available on WSU’s Open Journal Systems. Katie Cramer, professor of English education, has served as editor-in-chief of Kansas English since 2017 and collaborates with Susan Matveyeva, journal manager of University Libraries, to publish the journal each year.

Shocker Athletics

Eat - Sip - Shop - Play at the Black & Yellow Gala

Eat, sip, shop and play while supporting athletics at 2025 Black & Yellow Gala

The Black & Yellow Gala presented by Equity Bank returns for its third annual event on Saturday, Aug. 16 at Charles Koch Arena. This year’s theme is the Roaring 20’s. Dress to impress and get ready for an unforgettable night of fundraising, fun and philanthropy in support of all Shocker Athletics.

Attendees can expect an elevated experience with dinner and drinks from local favorites, live music and special programming, silent and live auctions, and the opportunity to mingle with student-athletes, coaches and staff. This year’s event also features a new venue experience on the arena floor.

Doors open at 5 p.m., dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and the live auction starts at 7 p.m. Tickets and tables are available for purchase now. Secure your spot today. Call 316-978-FANS (3267) or visit goshockers.com/Gala.

Can’t attend? You can still support Shocker Athletics. Contact 316-978-7276 to donate an auction item, explore sponsorships or make a philanthropic gift.

Programs and Courses

Learn more about globalization in the business world with Badges

Those looking to deepen their understanding of globalization and its effects on the business world can take one or many Badges in the Global Business series here at Wichita State. Badges in the series cover the implications of globalization, differing cultures, exporting and entering foreign markets.

Badges are bite-sized, one credit hour or less courses that you can take at your own pace during the semester. These badges are developed in concert with employers, government licensing agencies, trade associations and faculty, meaning employees and employers alike can be confident that meaningful learning occurred.

To learn more about Badges, including how to enroll for the fall 2025 semester, visit wichita.edu/badges. And employees at Wichita State can apply for Tuition Assistance to cover the cost of Badges. The final application window for Tuition Assistance closes Aug. 4.

Wichita State has been a national leader in creating a standard for microcredentials.

WSU’s Lifelong Learning releases fall 2025 classes free for Kansas residents 60 and over

Wichita State’s Lifelong Learning program has released its fall 2025 classes, designed and free for individuals aged 60 and above.

Classes are available both online at your own pace or in person from 1-3 p.m. at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, however only a limited number of seats are available for those who sign up for in-person classes, so register soon. Deadline for registering is Sept. 10.

The following classes are being offered for fall 2025:

Asian American History
Geological Wonders of the 50 States
Modern Ireland: From Imperialism to Peace
Generative AI: Promises and Perils
Shakespeare
Talkin’ ’bout my (and your) Generation
Hollywood vs. Broadway: Is the Relationship Symbiotic or Parasitic?
Kansas Under Water: Geology of the Cretaceous Seaway
Listen Up! Unlocking the Secrets of Sound
Dreams of El Dorado: Triumph and Tragedy

Learn more about Wichita State’s Lifelong Learning program by going to wichita.edu/lifelonglearning. For questions, call 316-978-3258 or email lifelonglearning@wichita.edu.