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KBOR approves new programs.

Dec. 17, 2020 — With the intention of furthering Wichita State University’s commitment to digital transformation, the Kansas Board of Regents has approved four degree programs that will launch in spring 2021: Bachelor of Arts in Applied Linguistics, Master of Science in Data Science, Master of Science in Business Analytics, and Master of Science in Mathematical Foundations of Data Analysis. These degrees are in addition to existing undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates in applied computing, computer science, cybersecurity, homeland security, and supply chain.

Diversity classes

Dec. 14, 2020 – In response to student interest, Wichita State is focusing on developing new courses focused on diversity. Currently, Wichita State offers more than 330 courses on diversity content. Additionally, two-thirds of the first-year seminars offered are flagged with diversity and about 35-40% of students complete a diversity course while pursuing their degree.

Children laughing

Dec. 17, 2020 – Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute’s coalition is working to better the lives of children by encouraging workplaces to establish family-friendly practices. WSU-CEI works closely with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to establish multisector partnerships and resources for the execution of the Child Maltreatment Prevention Plan across Kansas. WSU-CEI also organizes a statewide coalition for this effort called Kansas Power of the Positive.

Joe Kleinsasser

December 15, 2020 - Joe Kleinsasser, co-director of news and media relations, retires from Wichita State this week and the university will miss his institutional knowledge, his experience and trust with the media, his patience and his kindness. He started at Wichita State just in time for a news conference called to announce the end of the football program. He remembers the visit of Russian president Boris Yeltsin to campus in 1992 as one of his most interesting assignments. He lists his work with Dean Headley, emeritus professor of marketing at Wichita State University, on the Airline Quality Rating as a highlight.

Friendships and entertainment are important to people’s wellbeing, but they shouldn’t be the only thing you focus on during your winter break. Spend winter break making a better you.

Dawna Raehpour

December 11, 2020 - Dawna Raehpour is the recipient of the Stanley Z. Koplik Memorial Scholarship for 2020-21. She will graduate in May with major in public health science and a minor in sociology. The $1,200 scholarship is in honor of Koplik, who served as executive director of the Kansas Board of Regents from 1982-93.

Hannah Wilkinson

Dec. 10, 2020 - Hannah Wilkinson, Wichita State's associate head strength and conditioning coach, is taking donations for Catholic Charities Harbor House domestic violence shelter and service. The campaign is an extension of the toy drive that strength and conditioning coach Kerry Rosenboom organized in previous years.

Woman and man at compute

Dec. 10, 2020 -- The Kansas Board of Regents has approved the creation of the newest department at Wichita State University’s College of Engineering – the School of Computing. Dean Dennis Livesay called the establishment of the new school a significant marker of the university’s commitment to producing digital-skilled workforce needed by industry.

Shock the World

Dec. 9, 2020 — The WSU Foundation's seven-year Shock the World campaign raised more than $300 million to fund scholarships and campus improvements at Wichita State University.

DC Capitol

Dec. 7, 2020 – Ten Wichita State University political science students were recently accepted into the Washington, D.C. and Topeka Internship Program. The program provides undergraduate students the opportunity to earn nine course credits while interning in D.C. or Topeka.

Amy Schafer

Dec. 7, 2020 — Amy Schafer, director of advertising at Wichita State, will retire this month. She takes with her 32 years of institutional knowledge, her signature Wisconsin twang, and her dedication to Shocker Nation.

Sigma Lambda Beta

Dec. 2, 2020 — Wichita State has been successful in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 because college students are following social distancing guidelines. Wichita State’s Rho Beta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta and the Zeta Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta have had no cases of COVID-19.

Shocker Commitment

Dec. 1, 2020 — Wichita State University has created a scholarship and support network to help those nearest to its campus. The Shocker Neighborhood Commitment provides funding to make college more affordable and attainable for recent high school graduates living in the Shocker Neighborhood.

Shocker Nation bus

Dec. 1, 2020 — Two new battery-powered buses wrapped in Shocker pride will soon be seen zipping through Wichita’s streets. Wichita Transit recently unveiled the Wichita State University-branded buses, which are ecofriendly, filled with modern conveniences, and will circulate among the university’s main campus, as well as Wichita State South, WSU Tech and the Metroplex.

Campus

December 1, 2020 - Wichita State’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion is organizing “Tenacious Men,” a program designed to provide mentoring and STEM education for underrepresent students in Wichita Public Schools.