Wichita State creates Advisory Council to help retain talent, drive economy
Growing and diversifying our regional economy while working to recruit and retain talent in Kansas is a primary goal for Wichita State University.
To assist with those efforts, Wichita State University President Dr. Jay Golden has created the President’s Innovation and Business Advisory Council.
Wichita State joins prestigious national research institute to boost AI
Wichita State University has been named a founding member of a newly formed AI Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning (IFML), established by a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation.
Machine learning is the technology that allows computers to acquire knowledge and make predictions in complex environments. This technology has the potential to transform everything from transportation to entertainment to health care.
The institute is one of five that the NSF announced Wednesday as part of a $100 million, five-year, national investment in the advancement of artificial intelligence research and workforce development.
Pictured above: Wichita State's Dr. Kishauk Sinha will lead WSU's research efforts in the newly formed AI Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning, to be located at the University of Texas, Austin.
Wichita State ATLAS meets the unprecedented needs of the aviation industry
- ATLAS is multi-disciplinary manufacturing environment and engineering education program. It was created to meet the unprecedented needs of the aerospace industry.
- ATLAS has $30,000,000 worth of manufacturing equipment, multiple projects lined up for federal agencies and strong financial backing from investors.
Perspectives on the Pandemic talk explores rethinking community
Chase Billingham
The next talk in Wichita State’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences “Perspectives on the Pandemics: Part II” series will feature Chase Billingham.
As an associate professor of sociology, Billingham researches issues examines gentrification, economic development, education, and stratification in US metropolitan areas. His presentation, “Rethinking the city and the community for a post-pandemic world,” will explore how the pandemic has affected cites and communities.
Billingham’s lecture will be delivered via Zoom at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2. For more information about the “Perspectives on the Pandemics: Part II” series and how to join by Zoom, go to https://www.wichita.edu/Pan2.
Scholarships now available for WSU Badge Courses!
Badges are academic short courses of one credit hour or less that are designed for working, non-degree seeking professionals. They are online and self-paced. Badges allow students to demonstrate to employers their knowledge, skills and competencies in a subject area. Students who successfully complete a badge will receive a digital recognition of their accomplishment that they can share on social media and link to a digital resume.
Enrollment is open now! You can begin the badge course between Aug. 17-Nov. 9. All coursework must be complete by Dec. 3.
To enroll and view the badge course catalog, visit badges.wichita.edu. For questions, please contact workforce@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7579.
‘Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training’
Kansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will host a virtual workshop regarding the basics of doing business with federal, state and local governments.
The workshop titled “Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training,” will be offered as a virtual program from 1:30-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. The program focuses on an overview of the way government agencies purchase goods and services. Also provided will be information on how a company can become a contractor to agencies at all levels of government.
The workshop will be taught by Scott Knapp. Registration will be required in advance to attend the workshop. Register here.
Discover your antibody test status when you give blood
As an additional health service to our donors, the American Red Cross is testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Red Cross donors can expect to receive their antibody test results within 7-10 days through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or the donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Click here for more information,
The next Wichita State University Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 10, in the Heskett Center lobby.
Schedule your appointment now at RedCrossBlood.org; enter Wichita State or call 1-800-Red-Cross.
With $1 million gift, Gene and Yolanda Camarena will help students of color succeed at Wichita State University
Gene and Yolanda Camarena are well known for helping underserved Kansas youth improve their lives through education and other causes. Now the Wichita couple is enhancing that legacy with a $1 million gift to Wichita State University to give students of color opportunities they otherwise might not have.
A little more than half of the Camarenas’ gift pledge, $520,000, will provide high-impact scholarships to 20 Hispanic and Black students each year for the next four years. Wichita State will match that investment in full as part of its mission to provide affordable and accessible educational opportunities to underserved students.
The gift was unveiled at a news conference yesterday (Aug. 31) on the WSU campus.
The Camarenas chose the name Shocker Adelante Scholars to describe recipients of their scholarship program. Adelante means “to move forward” or “to get ahead” in Spanish. In addition to scholarships, the couple’s gift will:
- Provide mentoring and tutoring services to help scholarship recipients succeed.
- Support recipients who have an entrepreneurial interest by underwriting their participation in Wichita State’s new Microenterprises Program.
- Create a Visiting Professor program to augment the university’s efforts to recruit a more diverse faculty.
- Hire a full-time diversity recruiter in the Admissions Department to boost enrollment of students of color.
Based on their own experiences as college students from diverse backgrounds, the Camarenas said they recognize the financial and cultural barriers students of color can encounter.
“We also understand the lifelong positive impact a college education can have on each student as well as their extended families,” said Yolanda Camarena, a Wichita State graduate. “Our goal is to provide students of color a level pathway to a college degree and the ability to participate equally in all the opportunities our country has to offer.”
She added: “We firmly believe that a more diverse and inclusive environment at Wichita State will be beneficial to all students as they learn, live and work together on a campus that mirrors the workplaces and communities that they will become a part of. Our hope is that their college experience will be one of both learning and understanding. Learning those skills needed to continue their chosen field of work and understanding that the diversity of cultures, ethnicity, language and experiences will be of great benefit as they become an integral part of a country that grows more diverse every day.”
The Camarenas met with Wichita State President Jay Golden, Provost Rick Muma and WSU Foundation President Elizabeth King to discuss the university’s goals to strengthen diversity and inclusion.
“I appreciate the strong endorsement of Gene and Yolanda Camarena of our vision to make the college experience more affordable and inclusive for all students,” Golden said. “Their generous gift in money, time and ideas exemplifies the strong partnership our university continues to have with our diverse community and our state.”
King remarked: “In addition to their extraordinary financial gift, Gene and Yolanda Camarena are eager to share their wisdom and experience as we prepare these deserving students for rewarding careers and service to our community. Wichita State is truly grateful for their vision and collaboration.”
Yolanda Camarena is a graduate of Wichita State and completed a Master’s in Public Policy and Education at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Gene Camarena is a graduate of the University of Kansas and completed a Master’s in Business Administration at the Harvard University School of Business.
Professor investigates what makes a good law enforcement officer through lab research
- Dr. Joel Suss is an assistant professor in psychology and the director of ACE at Wichita State University.
- ACE investigates human performance and cognition in complex, dynamic, and often stressful operational settings.
- For the past five years, the ACE lab has focused its study on law enforcement.
- He hopes that his lab research will provide scientific evidence that can inform police training practices.
Pictured above: Dr. Joel Suss teaches cognitive skills training for improving police decision-making.
Wichita State graduate Sarahi Aguilera grows into role as voice for immigrants
- Working with community organizers and a trip to our nation's capital inspired Sarahi Aguilera to tell her story of immigration.
- Aguilera wants to attend law school and help people by working in immigration law.
- She is a 2020 Wichita State graduate who, in June, helped organize ICT Standing with DREAMers to support DACA.
Pictured above: Wichita State University graduate Sarahi Aguilera (center) stands next to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran as part of her duties with Sunflower Community Action.
ZipSip emerges from Wichita State's innovation ecosystem
ZipSip is an expandable, adjustable drink Koozie that was inspired by a disappointing beer. There's no part of its invention and innovation that isn't dripping with Shocker pride.
Pictured above: Lacie Leatherman is featured in a booth with her latest invention: ZipSip, an adjustable Koozie.
Check it out! Issue 1 of the 2020-21 WWSU Newsletter is here!
Women of Wichita State University! The WWSU Newsletter is here! In this issue, you’ll find important reminders, interviews with other Women of WSU, updates, and more. See what we’ve been up to and find out how you can join the fun. Find it on our webpage at www.wichita.edu/WWSU.
Women of Wichita State University (aka. WWSU) is an organization formed in the Fall of 2018 by the combination of two groups; the Wichita State University Women's Association (founded in 1928), and the Council of University Women (founded in 1930). WWSU's purpose is to serve the University by providing student scholarships. We are dedicated in promoting the personal growth of our members through social interaction and fostering a sense of community through fellowship and the spirit of friendliness.
Follow Women of WSU on Facebook to find more information or email us at WWSU@wichita.edu!
Five more Ulrich billboards are now on display around Wichita
The Ulrich Museum of Art on the Wichita State University campus has five new billboards up around the Wichita area as part of its Ulrich + Artists + You Community Billboard Project. In all, there are now 15 Ulrich billboards strategically located throughout the city. The September billboards are located at: 4355 S K-15; 2549 N I-135; 703 N West St.; 401 Washington; and 1500 N Broadway.
Before you head out to see them, be sure to first download the free Smartify app to your mobile phone for the most complete experience, and check the Ulrich website for the Spotify playlists that accompany the billboards.The Ulrich encourages you to share your photos of the billboards (preferably with you in them) by using the hashtag #ulrichbillboards and tagging @ulrichmuseum; the Museum would love to share your photos on social media!
Pictured above: The billboard featuring three photographs from Wichita artist Larry Schwarm is one of five new Ulrich billboards on display around Wichita. Schwarm's billboard is located at 4355 S. K-15.
Author Christopher McDougall will join Ulrich Virtual Stories book discussion on Tuesday, Sept. 8
The Ulrich Museum of Art is excited to share that author Christopher McDougall will join us for the upcoming Ulrich Virtual Stories book discussion on his "Running with Sherman" book.
McDougall will be in conversation with Beth Golay, host of KMUW’s podcast "Marginalia," for the program, which begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Like all Ulrich Virtual programs, the book discussion is free and open to all; however, registration is required to get the Zoom link. Visit our program partner, Watermark Books, for your copy today.
Wichita State University Opera Theater to present free outdoor concert
The Wichita State University Opera Theater will present "A Cosi Concert" on the grounds of the WSU amphitheater (behind Duerksen Fine Arts Center on the WSU campus) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. Admission is free. The concert, open to the community, invites attendees to bring lawn chairs or blankets and be comfortably socially distanced on a beautiful Kansas evening.
The concert will feature highlights from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's masterpiece, "Cosi fan Tutte," as well as other great opera arias.
WSU Opera Theater is under the direction of College of Fine Arts Professor Alan Held. The pianist for the evening will be WSU alumna and accompanist Bridget Hille.
Group reservations with physical distancing at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes
The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is accepting group reservations and can handle up to three groups of 15 guests each with physical distancing in place. This allows for a group of up to 45 to visit us for an event with those attending dividing into three groups of 15.
Guests are expected to wear masks and remain within their assigned group. This, coupled with extra measures being taken to sanitize touch points and equipment, makes us a safe option to gather and be social!
For more details, call 316-978-3479 or email ssgl@wichita.edu.
Contactless catering menu
Check out WSU Dining's contactless catering menu, designed exclusively for pick-up or drop-off service. Call 316-978-5863 or email wsucatering@compass-usa.com to place your order today.
Shocker Store at Braeburn Square reopens
The Shocker Store location at Braeburn Square is open again. Hours of operation are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Stop by for the largest selection of Shocker gear in town!
Labor Day weekend hours for the Rhatigan Student Center
The Rhatigan Student Center and some of its departments will have altered hours for Labor Day weekend. Altered hours for Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5 can be found at wichita.edu/rschours. The building and all departments will be closed on Sunday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 7.
Heskett Center Labor Day weekend hours
The Heskett Center will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day. We will be open from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6.