WSU Today: Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023

Student Success and Persistence

Student success spotlight: Mercy Umeri

This week's Student Success and Persistence highlight comes from Dr. Mercy Umeri, assistant teaching professor and MiniMPA coordinator in Fairmount College's Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs.

Dr. Mercy Umeri stands on a gray background

This week’s Student Success and Persistence highlight comes from Dr. Mercy Umeri, assistant teaching professor and MiniMPA coordinator in Fairmount College’s Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs.

What role do you think faculty and staff play in a student’s success and persistence?
“As a faculty member, the core of our work is to ensure the success of students beyond the classroom. We must believe in the ability of our students to succeed. We must let our students know that they are co-producers of their knowledge and that we are the facilitators. We can empower them, even if they are still figuring out their career paths. This shift in mindset encourages students to stay engaged and committed to their studies and to know that they have what it takes to succeed. We must take time out to walk them through the difficulties they’re facing and point them to other resources that will help them succeed. As a first generation college student, I understand firsthand the importance of having faculty members who believe in you and push you to succeed.”
What is one small thing any faculty and staff member can do to make a student’s day or let them know they’re cared for?
“We can all do better with listening to our students more. Our students are doing their best to combine life and studies and sometimes, they may get overwhelmed. I try to come to class a little early so I can chat with my students before class. I have my office hours, but I always want my students to know that they can always talk to me, not just when they have challenges with my course. Listening to them in a ‘non-formal’ setting helps you listen to some of the challenges they face, ones they may not ordinarily share. Sometimes, after listening to them, all they need is a little nudge and encouragement to continue to stay engaged.”

Do you know of a faculty or staff member who promotes student success, or a student who has been helped by a faculty or staff member, that should be highlighted in WSU Today? Email your ideas to Caelin Bragg, newsletter editor with the Office of Strategic Communications, at caelin.bragg@wichita.edu.

Health and Safety Updates

Flu and COVID vaccines available at Student Health Services

2023-24 seasonal influenza vaccines and updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccines have arrived at Student Health Services. WSU faculty, staff and students — make your appointment now, while supplies last.

News

Faculty regalia orders for commencement are open

The Shocker Store is taking regalia rental orders from faculty and staff members who are planning on attending the fall 2023 commencement. The deadline to place an order is 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3.

Email Julie at shockerstore@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7021. Payment is due when the order is placed. The deadline to purchase a custom academic regalia is Friday, Oct. 20.

Student Affairs highlight: Student Engagement, Advocacy and Leadership

Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership (SEAL) is home to student activities, community service opportunities, leadership programs, fraternity and sorority life, student government, and over 200 student organizations.

The opportunities SEAL offers enhances the academic experience, builds personal and professional networks, strengthens citizenship, creates meaningful memories and provides students the skills they need for success in their future careers.

SEAL understands how important it is for students to get engaged on campus and encourages them to attend an event, serve the community, sign up for a leadership program, or even join a student organization.

Get involved on campus

Student Health Services promotes National Prescription Drug Take Back Month

Students, faculty and staff can anonymously drop off any unused or expired medications to Student Health Services (SHS) until Oct. 27 and it will dispose of them safely. Drop off any medications or prescriptions to SHS, which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

October is National Prescription Drug Take Back Month, which is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) program to prevent drug misuse or abuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Contact SHS at student.health@wichita.edu or call 316-978-4792, or receive assistance in the SHS office.

ImageQuest Xerox copier supplies are available at Shocker Printing

Shocker Printing is pleased to announce that it now stocks a limited selection of supplies for the ImageQuest Xerox copier fleet. In the event that you have run out of toner and haven’t received a replacement from ImageQuest, you have the option to obtain toner from Shocker Printing.

To place an order, visit the Shocker Printing storefront. During the checkout process, instead of providing an org/fund number, input your ImageQuest printer ID number.

In addition to toner, Shocker Printing also carries a limited supply of waste toner containers and drums for the fleet. Note that quantities are restricted, allowing for a maximum order of one unit for each item.

Presentations and Talks

Kepling Xie, Michigan State University, to speak at next physics seminar

Join the Department of Physics for its next physics seminar at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 in 226 Jabara Hall and via Zoom.

The seminar features Keping Xie from Michigan State University.

Learn more and find the Zoom link

CHP presents nationally recognized cardiac surgeons discussing medicine in age of AI, digital transformation

The College of Health Professions is pleased to host Drs. Brett Grizzell and Bassem Chehab with Ascension Via Christi for the presentation "Medicine in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation" at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 at the CAC Theater. The event is open to everyone at no additional charge.

The College of Health Professions is pleased to host Drs. Brett Grizzell and Bassem Chehab with Ascension Via Christi for the presentation “Medicine in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation” at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 at the CAC Theater. The event is open to everyone at no additional charge.

Drs. Grizzell and Chehab are nationally renowned experts in heart surgery and are founding members of the Structural Heart program at Ascension Via Christi. Learn more about the exciting new technologies that are transforming medicine and healthcare.

Brett Grizzell, MD, with Wichita Surgical Specialists, is a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, skilled in minimally invasive surgery and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). He is a founding member of the nearly 10-year-old Structural Heart team at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, where he also serves as medical director of its Lung Cancer Screening program. Dr. Grizzell was raised in Wichita and in 2004 received his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he did his residency in general surgery. He completed his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Medical Center in 2011.

Bassem Chehab, MD, with Cardiovascular Consultants of Kansas, is board-certified in internal and cardiovascular medicine and specializes in complex coronary interventions and structural cardiology interventions. Dr. Chehab received his medical degree from Lebanon University in Beirut. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine; in 2012, he completed his fellowship in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. During his training, he developed an extensive background in research, having worked on multiple pivotal clinical trials and research projects and being involved in pioneering work on TAVR and other minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Chehab was recruited to Wichita by CCK and Ascension Via Christi to join Dr. Grizzell in the development of a multidisciplinary Structural Heart program at St. Francis, where he now serves as medical director for the hospital’s Heart Valve Clinic and Structural Heart program.

Shocker Athletics

Volleyball to host Dig Pink night, camper reunion, during games against Tulsa

Join Shocker volleyball when it takes on the University of Tulsa Oct. 20-21 in Charles Koch Arena and attend special events both days.

Shocker volleyball continues its annual Dig Pink match to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. This year, the Dig Pink match will be against Tulsa at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Side-Out Foundation, and the first 500 fans will receive a pink rally towel.

All kids who participated in the summer Shocker volleyball camps receive admission to the 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 match against Tulsa at no additional charge when they wear their camp T-shirt, and they will get to take part in the post-game serves. The first 250 students also receive a ‘Shockblock’ T-shirt at no additional charge.

All WSU students can attend Shocker Athletics events at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

Join Dean Hippisley for Fairmount College at the game versus Tulsa

Fairmount College faculty and staff are invited to join Dr. Andrew Hippisley, dean, Fairmount College, for the College at the Game during Shocker volleyball’s match against Tulsa at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20.

Fairmount College will be featured and promoted during the match, and the dean invites Fairmount College faculty and staff to sit with him in section 121 (general admission seating). Visit the dean’s office to pick up one ticket at no additional charge, and get a yellow Fairmount College Clash of the Colleges T-shirt and a Become More temporary tattoo.

Basketball mini plans are available now

Shocker basketball mini plans are available now. Choose a plan to fit any schedule and save money on tickets. For more information, call the Shocker Ticket Office at 316-978-3267.

Men’s basketball:

Pick three for $120 – Choose between the Memphis and FAU game then select any two games from the remainder of the schedule
Pick four for $140 – Choose between the Memphis and FAU game then select any three games from the remainder of the schedule
All-American Weekend Pass – For only $199, receive a ticket to every home, weekend conference game

Women’s basketball:

Pick three for $15 – Choose any three games on the schedule for $15

Events

Community invited to Wichita Mayoral Candidate Forum on campus Oct. 18

Join the Mayoral Forum from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 in the CAC Theater, in partnership with the Wichita Beacon, Loud Light and the League of Women Voters.

The forum will host both 2023 mayoral candidates. The forum will provide an opportunity for each candidate to answer a series of ten questions. Each candidate will be allowed 90 seconds for their answer and an additional 30 seconds for a rebuttal. Content for the question has come from WSU students as well as from Beacon readers who were invited to submit questions in September.

The forum will be moderated by Neal Allen — associate professor and chair of the Department of Political Science — and a Wichita State student selected to represent student voices.

The event is open to the public and tickets are not required. For additional questions, reach out to the Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership office by either calling 316-978-7016 or emailing civicengagement@wichita.edu.

Everyone can learn about telling their personal story through memoir

Everyone is invited to join the Ulich Museum of Art for its Senior Wednesday event, “Memoir, Telling Your Story,” at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 in the Beren Gallery of the Ulrich Museum. Refreshments will be available starting at 10 a.m.

Everyone has a unique story to tell, so learn techniques to start their writing journey. No preregistration is required.

Join CAPS for Mindfulness and Meditation session Oct. 18

Join Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for Mindfulness and Meditation at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 in 240 Rhatigan Student Center, Mayfield Room.

Mindfulness is focusing one’s awareness on the present moment by intentionally noticing thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations without any judgement. The sessions offer various meditation exercises designed to develop mindfulness and promote holistic wellness.

Future Sessions will be held on Nov. 1, Nov. 15, Nov. 29 and Dec. 13 and on Facebook Live on Oct. 25, Nov. 8, Nov. 22 and Dec. 6.

Attend Pee for Pizza event Oct. 19

Student Health Services (SHS) is hosting its next Pee for Pizza event. It will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Student Wellness Center in the Steve Clark YMCA.

Pee for Pizza is a sexual health awareness event that allows participants to test for sexually transmitted illnesses such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C and know their status at no additional charge. Pizza is also provided to participants.

Co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Positive Direction and Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes, Pee for Pizza is by reservation only. No walk-ins will be accepted. Participants must not use the restroom at least one hour before testing.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact SHS at 316-978-4792. Other testing is available upon request.

Community Invited to bike or walk Redbud Trail with honors faculty Oct. 19

Bike enthusiasts among the Cohen Honors College faculty invite the community to experience fall on the Redbud Trail at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19.

Attendees will meet in front of the John Bardo Center for an hour of biking or walking. Students, faculty, staff and friends are all welcome to join.

WSU Symphony Orchestra presents Music of the Movies

There’s something magical about the way music and film come together, creating memorable moments that stay with audiences long after the credits roll. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19 in the Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center, WSU Symphony Orchestra (WSUSO) invites the campus community to celebrate the compositions of renowned movie composers such as Alan Menken, Joe Hisaishi and John Williams.

As the highlight of the evening, WSUSO will present Charlie Chaplin’s classic, “The Rink,” accompanied by the musicians of the WSUSO. The live music will add a new dimension to Chaplin’s humor and charm, highlighting the profound connection between music and cinema.

Students can receive tickets at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, and they can be pick up tickets in advance at the Fine Arts Box Office in Duerksen Fine Arts Center during operating hours.

Grab tickets to the event

Student Government Association presents the 3rd annual Diversity Week

Student Government Association is proud to present the third annual Diversity Week, starting Monday, Oct. 30. The week is designed to not only increase student engagement on campus, but also decrease incidences of bias, harassment and discrimination.

Diversity Week is in partnership with several offices and student organizations and offers programs and experiences that build an inclusive culture amongst the student body at Wichita State. This year’s theme is “A Different World: Learn from Others and Value Everyone (L.O.V.E.).”

During Diversity Week, the SGA will highlight religion, self value (identity), tradition and ability. SGA will also focus on loving, valuing, respecting and finding belonging within each other.

Learn more about events at Diversity Week

Learn about WSU’s Community Psychology doctoral program

Learn more about the Psychology Department’s community psychology doctoral program at its virtual information session from 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 via Zoom.

Community psychology is a growing field that conducts social justice-focused, action-oriented research. There are only twenty community psychology doctoral programs in the U.S., and one of them is at Wichita State. Students are accepted at both a bachelor’s and master’s level and frequently come from a variety of undergraduate majors, including psychology, social work, criminal justice, public health, sociology, women’s, ethnicity, and intersectional studies, and more.

Join the Zoom meeting

Faculty, staff from all programs are invited to join HealthHum meetings

Faculty and staff from all colleges are invited to join the Academic Center for Biomedical and Health Humanities (HealthHum) for its next meetings:

10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 27 in 500 Lindquist Hall 500
1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov 17, stay tuned for location on the HealthHum website

Faculty and staff whose work involves health and wellbeing, or if they would like to extend their work into those areas are invited to help HealthHum with plans to showcase the great work its doing at Wichita State, identify loci of collaboration and reach out to prospective partners. Contact susan.castro@wichita.edu to get involved, or just show up.

Cyber Security

Microsoft Multifactor Authentication will be implemented for current students in a few weeks

WSU Information Technology Services (ITS) will roll out Microsoft’s Multifactor Authentication (MFA) for currently enrolled students within the next few weeks. MFA enhances security by requiring the use of a secondary device at login to verify your identity, which will ensure that others cannot access your account by obtaining your password.

WSU applications impacted by MFA will be email, Blackboard and all Office 365 products.

Currently enrolled students who are taking classes are required to register and use MFA. Existing WSU employees who are taking classes are not required to register for MFA. WSU staff and faculty already use Duo for multi-factor authentication.

Next steps:

Be on the lookout for more information from WSU ITS regarding when this functionality is available and how to set up your Multifactor Authentication. Learn more about MFA.

Questions: Contact ITS Help Desk at 316-978-4357, option 1 or helpdesk@wichita.edu.