WSU begins project to hire and retain more women, minority STEM faculty
Wichita State University continues to make strides toward improving opportunities for women in senior leadership, with women currently holding six out of 10 dean positions throughout the university.
Now WSU is taking an even bigger step to increase the number of women – and minorities – among its faculty with a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
The grant funds an 18-month project to improve the university’s hiring and retention of women and minority faculty, particularly in STEM fields.
Included among the many benefits of having a more diverse faculty are the ability to serve a growing diverse student body and surrounding community, and to support greater innovation.
Read more on hiring and retaining more women, minority STEM faculty.
Adult learners share their Shocker Stories
Adult learners at Wichita State often have a poignant reason for finishing a degree.
It typically comes with a story, including how they were unable to either attend college
after high school, or why they had to give up their journey to college before they
graduated.
The Office of Adult Learning gets the privilege of helping those students and hearing
their stories. Many adult learners are grateful for the staff and faculty who encourage
and empower them along the way. The Office of Adult Learning created Shocker Stories
to not only share their stories, but to highlight the impact staff and faculty have
on students. View Shocker Stories.
If you know of an adult learner who has an interesting story, invite them to call Pamela O’Neal at 978-8313 or email pamela.oneal@wichita.edu. Shocker Stories will be updated throughout the semester.
University update
At Thursday’s Weekly Briefing, a university update included information about new programs, diversity initiatives, placemaking, and Braeburn Square.
NEW PROGRAMS
When it comes to better serving the needs of students, and the industry that drives our economy, the development of new and innovative programs is key. Throughout this academic year, we will highlight WSU’s and WSU Tech’s efforts to create degree programs that are responsive to student and industry demand—often developed in tandem with business in an effort to increase social and economic mobility.
One of the newest degree programs available at WSU is the Bachelor of Applied Science in Workforce Leadership and Applied Learning. The program was developed by the College of Applied Studies and optimizes opportunities for students graduating from two-year programs—such as those offered by WSU Tech and other community colleges—to pursue a bachelor's degree. There are only a few programs like it in the country that also take into consideration credit for prior learning for skills acquired in the workforce.
Graduates are prepared for leadership positions in the public and private education sectors, human services, for-profit and nonprofit agencies and many others. The program is grounded in two core principles found in WSU’s Strategic Plan: applied learning and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Another degree of note is the College of Engineering’s Bachelor of Science in Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering. This hands-on program immerses students in the entire process of designing and producing products in a cost-effective and efficient way. PDME graduates are in high demand by a wide range of employers. In fact, WSU’s PDME students currently enjoy a 100% job placement rate, and many are gainfully employed before they finish their degree. Simply put, if you’re interested in engineering and want a high-paying, high-demand job, you should definitely consider the Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering program.
In addition to full degrees, we also offer additional ways to gain skills and credentials through our increasing number of badges and certificate options. In fact, we’ve recently added an additional 14 certificates and 29 badges to our rapidly expanded offerings.
Badges are self-paced, online courses conveniently designed for students and working professionals looking to develop new skills and gain new competencies related to their careers. They can also be stacked over time and applied toward degree completion. Students who enroll in a badge course by Monday, September 9, 2019 will have the tuition and fees waived for one badge course for the fall semester. To learn more, visit badges.wichita.edu or call 978-7579.
Certificates are groups of courses, often from different disciplines, that address a special topic, which can be completed on their own or as part of a degree program. We currently offer more than 30 graduate certificates and more than 20 undergraduate certificates. For a full list, visit wichita.edu/certificates.
DIVERSITY INITIATIVES
As the state’s most diverse public university, we are continually looking for ways to increase the number of underrepresented students in Shocker Nation while tailoring curriculum and support to better meet the changing demographics of our student body.
Our efforts continue to pay off with strong growth over the past five years among:
- female and Hispanic engineering students
- African-American and Native American students
- And racially/ethnically underrepresented students
The university also continues to improve opportunities for women in senior leadership, with women currently holding six out of 10 WSU dean positions.
It is also taking an even bigger step to increase the number of women – and minorities – among its faculty with a nearly $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant funds a 5-year project to improve the university’s hiring of women and minority faculty, particularly in STEM fields. Included among the many benefits of having a more diverse faculty is the ability to serve a growing diverse student body and surrounding community, and to support greater innovation.
This is reflected in the recent hiring of Edil Torres-Rivera, the first hire for our LatinX Studies area located in the College of Applied Studies. LatinX Studies will allow the university to better serve our increasing numbers of LatinX students through the hiring of educators with expertise in LatinX needs.
PLACEMAKING
Last spring, you may have seen the numerous pieces of colorful lawn furniture that popped up around campus as part our placemaking efforts to make the campus more enjoyable and inviting for everyone.
Now WSU has an additional, colorful attraction for you to check out in the form of a staircase mural located on the south side of Clinton Hall. Created by fine arts major Sarah Myose, and supported by a grant from the Knight Foundation, the mural is titled “Dreams and Wishes” and symbolizes WSU as a place that has helped countless people turn their dreams into reality.
We want to congratulate Sarah on a job well done and thank her for adding her creativity and inspiration to our placemaking efforts.
Also, keep an eye out for additional art on the electrical boxes near the Food Truck Plaza. Fine Arts faculty member Hallie Linnebur is currently adding her own creative touch to this infrastructure in the form of colorful faces. You can check out the first of her creations near the Love Locks pod.
To keep up to date on campus placemaking, visit wichita.edu/discoverwsu.
BRAEBURN SQUARE
Finally, we’d like to give you a quick update on Braeburn Square.
If you’ve been waiting for the Fuzzy’s Taco Shop to open, the wait is over. The Braeburn Fuzzy’s officially opened on Monday—with the first 50 customers winning free tacos for a year. From all of the Fuzzy’s fanatics in Shocker Nation, we say “Welcome to campus.” We’re excited for this additional dining option—and late-night destination—open to the community.
In addition to tacos, Braeburn Square is expected to add a second restaurant this fall. Journey East Asia Grill will serve Asian fusion in a 2,840-square-foot space next to Meritrust Credit Union. We’ll keep you up to date when more details become available.
And, if you haven’t heard, on Monday, the university announced that the Hyatt Place hotel will break ground next week on the Innovation Campus. The groundbreaking is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, on 19th Street just west of Oliver—immediately following the briefing. Everyone is invited to attend. The hotel is expected to be ready for occupancy in summer 2020.
We look forward to the role this important amenity will play in drawing prospective students, their families, Innovation Campus visitors and event attendees to campus.
WSU Reporting Navigation Training set for Aug. 29
Do you have questions about how to navigate WSU Reporting? Register for the new WSU
Reporting Navigation Training!
• In this training we will demonstrate how to navigate the new reporting tool called
WSU Reporting, run a student report and print a report.
• Most student reports that you have access to in Reporting Services should now be
used through WSU Reporting.
• This training is for individuals who currently have access to student reports.
• If you do not have access but need access for your job duties, please have your
supervisor submit a request to stusecurityaccess@wichita.edu
Please sign up for this training through WSU myTraining; the next session will be
held Thursday, Aug. 29.
Special invitation for Innovation Campus employees
On Monday, Sept. 9, the Office of Admissions invites the employees of our Innovation Campus partners to bring their high school and transfer students to get an exclusive look at what Shocker Nation is all about.
During this event, students and parents will have the opportunity to take a tour of campus, and hear from university staff about admissions requirements, scholarship opportunities, and everything in between at Wichita State. This event is free of charge, and refreshments will be provided.
To RSVP, visit Wichita.edu/visit and click on “Admissions Events.” Questions can be directed to Ellen Nikkel at Ellen.Nikkel@wichita.edu.
Grand opening is set for River Vista’s Boats and Bikes
A grand opening and ribbon cutting will be held for Boats and Bikes at River Vista, a retail watercraft and bicycle rental facility – from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at 150 N. McLean Blvd.
The community and media are welcome to attend. Attendees may park on the upper level of the River Vista parking garage, accessible via the north entrance to the property. The entrance to Boats and Bikes is on the river level of the River Vista Complex.
Boats and Bikes is based out of River Vista and is a partnership between River Vista’s development group and Wichita State University, which ties in with Shocker Rowing’s new boathouse.
Attention hackers, defenders and hunters on the Net!
Join the WULUG (Wichita State University Linex Users Group) Cyber Security Club. Learn skills from the best in the industry. Test your knowledge with peers. Compete for positions on our interscholastic team. Build your network of friends and contacts. Bolster your resume.
Come to our initial meeting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, in 203 Rhatigan Student
Center.
For more information, contact wulug@wichita.edu or https://facebook.com/wulug.
Public reception launches special exhibition of Apollo mission art
A public reception this Thursday on the Wichita State University campus will celebrate
a special exhibition of the art that NASA commissioned for its Apollo 9 and 13 missions.
The reception celebrating the exhibition, "Lowell Nesbitt: Apollo, 1969," will be
held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, on the second floor of the Experiential Engineering
Building. The reception is free and open to the public.
The special exhibition is on display now to Nov. 17, featuring the prints made by
artist Lowell Nesbitt, who was commissioned by NASA in 1969 to commemorate its Apollo
9 and 13 missions as part of the NASA Art Program.
This special exhibition was made possible through a new program at Wichita State’s Ulrich Museum of Art called Ulrich Connections, which ties the museum’s robust exhibition and event programming more directly to the world outside its walls. As part of the program, the Ulrich seeks out strategic partnerships with campus academic units and community organizations to create temporary exhibitions and events that allow the museum to reach new audiences, increase awareness, and reduce barriers to access and use of its collection.
Find out more at ulrich.wichita.edu or https://www.facebook.com/events/2392342870881134/.
Picture above: Lowell, Nesbitt, Spacesuit Checkout, 1969. Collection of the Ulrich
Museum of Art.
RSC Unplugged features Adam Capps
Stop by the Rhatigan Student Center every Wednesday for the live music series, RSC Unplugged. RSC Unplugged for Wednesday, Aug. 28, features Adam Capps from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the RSC’s Starbucks Lounge. Grab a cup of coffee and relax with some great music!
Learn about Ablah Library and Writing Literature Reviews at workshops
University Libraries will be holding two Savvy Researcher Workshops during the week
of Sept. 1.
The first workshop, “Writing a Literature Review,” will be from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday,
Sept. 4, in 217 Ablah Library. Learn all the steps to create a literature review,
from conducting comprehensive research to synthesizing perspectives to presenting
your findings in this very helpful workshop.
The second workshop, “Tour Ablah Library,” will be from noon- 1 p.m. Friday, Sept.
6, and will start in 217 Ablah Library. See the VR Zone, the One-Button Studio and
other multi-media project development tools, as well as study rooms, collections,
and other spaces. We will also get a brief introduction to article databases other
off-campus access to library resources.
For more information, call Angie Paul at 978-5084.
Click here for more information on library workshops.
Ulrich update details exciting exhibitions, programs, and events for fall 2019
Wichita State University's Ulrich Museum of Art invites you to view the latest edition of the Ulrich Update, which details all of the exciting exhibitions, programs, and events happening at the museum this fall. Be sure to join us from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 12 as we unveil our latest suite of exhibitions on display for the fall. Exhibitions, programs, and events at the Ulrich Museum are free and open to the public.
Read more at Ulrich fall update.
Volleyball single-match tickets now on sale
Single-match tickets for Wichita State volleyball's 11 home matches during the 2019
regular season are now on sale.
The Shockers are slated to play three nonconference home contests in the Shocker
Volleyball Classic, presented by Ashley HomeStore, against AVCA preseason top-10 teams
BYU (Sept. 12) and Texas (Sept. 14), and VCU (Sept. 13).
Wichita State will have eight American Athletic Conference home matches, including
showdowns against conference rival Cincinnati (Sept. 29), and preseason favorite and
2018 American champion UCF (Oct. 18).
Read complete story on volleyball single-match tickets.
KMUW honored with Station of the Year honors for sixth consecutive year
KMUW 89.1-FM has been awarded Large Market Radio Station of the Year for 2019 by the
Kansas Association of Broadcasters. This marks the sixth consecutive year that KMUW
has received the honor. KMUW earned an additional 11 awards in the contest, which
includes both commercial and public broadcasters.
Reporter Deborah Shaar was awarded first place in the Hard News Feature category for
“Pipe Dreams: Efforts To Keep Famous Wurlitzer In Wichita.”
Digital News Editor / Reporter Nadya Faulx received first place in Spot News for “Wichita
To Get New Baseball Team, Stadium.”
Carla Eckels, KMUW's Director of Cultural Diversity, News & Engagement and Soulsations
host, earned first place for the Special Program “‘Hope For The Future': The Dockum
Sit-In, Sixty Years On.”
Donations needed: Career Closet
The Career Development Center is in desperate need of professional clothing for our Career Closet event! Donate your professional dress items now through Wednesday, Sept. 4, to Brennan III, M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Tuesday mornings).
Professional dress items include suits, dress pants, professional shirts or blouses, professional skirts, belts, neckties, briefcases, shoes, cuff links, tie clips, and more. We are not accepting T-shirts, PJs, or undergarments. Professional clothing only. We particularly lack women’s petite and men’s small.
For questions, contact Kim Kufahl at 316-978-6981 or kim.kufahl@wichita.edu.
Color wall tees are $7 this week
This week at the Shocker Store, color wall tees are just $7! The sale excludes tie-dye tee. Sale is in RSC location only. Come stock up on fun color tees for everyone!
$1 cosmic bowling games for Labor Day weekend
Make it a cosmic Labor Day weekend at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes! From 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31-Monday, Sept. 2, cosmic bowling is just $1 per game, with free rental shoes! Offer is not valid for group reservations. Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is open to the public, so join us for some dollar cosmic bowling on campus! For more information, call 978-3479.
Labor Day weekend hours at the RSC
The Rhatigan Student Center and some of its departments will have altered hours for Labor Day weekend. The Shocker Store will be open normal hours of 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, but closed on Monday, Sept. 2. Need a place to hang out, grab a bite to eat, or bowl over Labor Day weekend? The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes will be open the entire weekend! For all RSC building and department hours, go to www.wichita.edu/rschours.