2020 shines with Wichita State innovation
Rick Muma
Hello, Shocker Nation and happy holiday season to you and your family.
As we wind down 2020, it might be difficult to recall anything beyond the pervasive cloud COVID-19 has cast over the entire world. But as I think back on the year, I can’t help but to be in awe with the Shocker innovation, determination, and grit that have been borne out of these unprecedented circumstances.
Not only has Wichita State University’s spirit of ingenuity been spurred by this pandemic, but we’ve also continued to thrive and excel in propelling our university to new heights as one of the top research and innovation institutions in the country.
Read complete letter from Interim President Rick Muma
See Rick Muma’s Holiday video message
Wichita State establishes new School of Computing
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.
“Computing and data are ubiquitous in modern society and together are transforming every discipline,” Livesay said. “In order to better prepare our students and lead in this transformation, we are integrating all of our computing academic programs and faculty. This high visibility change and the associated new degree programs prepare us to be a major player in computing and data science going forward.”
Introducing a new mobile-friendly way to get scholarship information
Everything about finding and applying to scholarships is about to get easier for you. Learn more about how to be matched to scholarship opportunities that are relevant to your life situation at wichita.edu/financialaid.
Blackboard will be down several days starting the evening of Dec. 17
In an effort to improve Blackboard's performance and stability, and to set the foundation for further improvements in the Blackboard Learn system throughout 2021, WSU will be bringing Blackboard down for several days in December.
Our system will go down at 11 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, and be down for several days. Our current estimate for the system to be restored and fully functional is Tuesday, Dec. 22, although it's possible this down time could extend to Christmas Day.
To prepare for this down time, instructors should:
1) Plan to have all fall 2020 final grades submitted
2) Have any January term classes set up before Dec. 17, or make plans to do so after Dec. 22
3) Notify any students who are working on incompletes or late submissions that Blackboard will not be available during this window.
Once Blackboard service is restored, Instructional Design and Access will run extensive testing on the system. If you notice any technical problems after service is restored, please report those problems through a OneStop Blackboard Help ticket and not by direct emails to IDA staff. It is very important that technical problems can be addressed in a systematic way to ensure a quick resolution.
Wichita State names Steven Skinner interim dean of College of Engineering
Steven Skinner
Steven Skinner has been appointed interim dean of Wichita State University's College of Engineering by Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Shirley Lefever. The appointment is effective Jan. 18.
Skinner is a professor and associate dean in the College of Engineering. He has been with Wichita State for nearly 30 years and has held other leadership positions including department chair and president of the faculty senate.
Lefever said: “Dr. Skinner possesses the experience and expertise to provide the interim leadership we need in the coming months as we search for a permanent dean. We appreciate his willingness to serve in this capacity.”
A national search will begin immediately. Andrew Hippisley, dean of WSU’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will chair the search to replace Dennis Livesay. Livesay resigned to serve as dean of the College of Computing at Michigan Technical University, beginning Feb. 1.
“Dean Livesay has done very well in moving the College of Engineering to a new level of excellence,” Skinner said. “I look forward to continuing the momentum until a new dean is hired.”
Enjoy the holiday break! Shocker Blast will resume in 2021
Shocker Blast will take a break from now until mid-to-late January. Wishing you good health and good times during the holidays!
Want to experience a different city & university? Apply for National Student Exchange by Feb. 1
National Student Exchange allows undergraduate, domestic students the opportunity to study at one of nearly 200 universities across the United States and Canada – while paying regular WSU tuition and earning credit toward your degree.
The application materials for exchange during fall 2021 and spring 2022 are available at wichita.edu/nse and are due Feb. 1, 2021. If you have questions, please contact Trish Gandu at trish.gandu@wichita.edu.
Help ODI and the KLC Beat the Virus!
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is participating in the Kansas Leadership Center’s statewide initiative to help “Kansas Beat the Virus.” We are tasked with convening and facilitating 20 virtual meetings of 8-12 people to come up with action ideas that will help Kansans stop the spread of Covid-19.
If you are able to help convene a group of your staff, students and friends, please reach out to Alicia Sanchez at alicia.sanchez@wichita.edu to schedule a meeting. The meetings must take place before Monday, Dec. 21.
Generation Lead Podcast Series featuring Jadyn Stutey!
Current graduate student Alexus Scott and Student Involvement have partnered together to conduct and produce a podcast series focusing on the development of our next generation's leaders. The podcast series is called Generation Lead and features voices from current WSU students, staff, faculty, and community partners.
Due to the recent virtual change in in-person programming, the podcast series provides high impact dialogue that empowers, challenges, and motivates a generation to lead and take space in their personal capacities with great measure. You can check out previous and upcoming episodes via streaming platforms like Anchor, Spotify, Breaker, and Google Podcasts.
Jadyn Stutey and Alexus are going to have a candid conversation about leadership and loyalty. As a leader, we’re loyal to the commitments we commit to day-by-day and year-by-year. Jadyn has been a member of 10 organizations in her stint at WSU and held executive roles in more than five of those.
During Jadyn’s involvement and commitment, she’s also started a multicultural organization of her own! During the last couple of months, our nation and the student body has seen its series of tests and trials as it pertains to loyalty. Alexus remembers being involved like Jadyn, and Alexus was faced with the decisions of honoring herself, my roles requirements, and those whom she served. Take a listen!
Click here to listen now via Spotify.
Office hours available online
Want to know when an office is open? Go to wichita.edu/officehours to get started. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, let us know by sending an email to lisa.hansen@wichita.edu.
Enroll for a service-learning course in psychology!
The INSPYRE research lab directed by Dr. Samantha Gregus is currently recruiting undergraduate mentors for a 3-hour service-learning course in psychology (PSY 416) for the Spring 2021 semester. The class is with a required service-learning component involved with mentoring at-risk youth. The service-learning component can be completed remotely.
Prior to enrolling in PSY 416 (Psychology and Problems of Society) mentors are required to: pass an interview and background check and attend class on Mondays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Status of the class attendance (i.e., in-person or remote) is to be determined.
We have a course syllabus, class readings, and paper assignments. Mentors will receive training at the beginning of the course and a grade at the end based on attendance and completion of assignments. We are interested in recruiting mentors from any college and major.
For more information, please contact the INSPYRE research lab at inspyre@wichita.edu ASAP.
Testing Services is still open to students and community members
Testing Services is open for students and community members. If you need to take a proctored exam this semester, we are here for you! Our hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. We will be closed for the Holiday Shutdown but will return on Jan. 4, 2021.
Zoom appointments are available to students registered with the Office of Disability Services only and require prior instructor approval. Please note that Zoom appointments are first come, first served and we ask for at least 72 hours notice.
Testing Services cares about your safety. We disinfect all testing stations after use and require all who enter wear a mask. Plus, we've expanded our space to offer better social distancing and have limited private rooms available.
Please call WSU-TEST (978-8378) for more information.
Latin American Philosophy is a new course in spring 2021
Latin American Philosophy examines the origins of Latin America, how social-political forces have shaped Latin American identity, and the borders that separate Anglo America and Latin America. It engages historically influential Latin American philosophers as well as contemporary Latinx philosophers. (PHIL 304, MW 5:35-6:50 p.m., CRN 27130)
Volunteers needed for our self-care research study!
The purpose of the study is to examine how self-care habits and routine practice may be impacted by the use of educational material provided through email and social media.
WSU students will complete a pre-test online, with questions about their habits and routine self-care practice. They will then be given access to a four-week series of self-care social media posts and emails that prompt the student to take part in self-care activities and educate about self-care practices. At the series conclusion, students will be asked to complete a post-test online to see if self-care habits have increased or changed based on the prompts and education about self-care. At the series end, a random drawing will occur for three participants to win a WSU swag-bag items, (value $15 each).
Participation is expected to last four weeks, from 12/28/21 to 1/22/21. Participants may choose to spend up to 60 minutes/week on the provided activities.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:
- Must be age 18 or older, and a current graduate or undergraduate student at WSU
- Must speak English fluently
Students will participate online, Shocker email and web links, or optionally via Facebook and Instagram.
If you are interested, please visit https://bit.ly/3gtqDua, or email amy.kalb@wichita.edu or shaunna.millar@wichita.edu.
Cultural Value Orientation as a Predictor of Adolescent Bullying
Are you a parent of a teenager?
The INSPYRE Research lab at Wichita State University is conducting a study to explore how parent and child values relate to how adolescents respond to bullying situations.
In order to be a part of the study, parents and their teen must be together at the start of the survey, and parents must provide permission for their teen to participate. We will ask parents to complete demographic questions and study measures. Then, we’ll ask the parent to hand the study off to their teenager to complete the remaining survey. This study should only take 15 minutes to complete in total. Parents must be at least 18 years old, adolescents must be between the ages of 10-17 years old, and both must be able to read English in order to participate. At the end of the study, the family has the opportunity to be entered into a raffle to win a prize.
For more information, click the survey link to find the parent consent form.
If you have any questions, please e-mail Dr. Samantha Gregus, director of the INSPYRE lab, at inspyre@wichita.edu or call at 316-978-6180.
GRASP 2021 abstract submission is open!
The Graduate School is now accepting abstract submissions for the 17th annual Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium. Graduate students -- don't miss this opportunity to showcase your research!
GRASP 2021 will be held on Blackboard again this year with video presentations open for WSU community viewing starting on April 2. Abstract submission closes on Feb. 11.
Apply for Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol
The Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol event is an opportunity for students to present their research experiences virtually to state lawmakers, Board of Regents members, and the WSU community on March 2, 3, and 4, 2021.
Up to 40 students participate each year representing each of the state’s eight public four-year institutions. Projects from a broad range of disciplines are encouraged --especially those that relate to the state of Kansas and issues important to the State Legislature (e.g. education, health, agriculture, aviation, biotechnology, energy, transportation, manufacturing, environment, and social services).
Up to five projects will be selected from each institution, and students working on the same research project are encouraged to apply as a group.
Go to wichita.edu/undergradresearch for more information. Apply by Jan. 24.
KMUW talks with experts about how to cope with social isolation over the holidays
The holiday season looks different this year, as the pandemic is keeping families and friends apart. We’ll discuss how to cope with social isolation during COVID-19 with a group of expert panelists. The conversation will be livestreamed on KMUW's Facebook page and EngageICT.org starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. To ask a question, email it to info@kmuw.org or comment on the live Facebook video.
Our panelists are:
- Eric Litwiller, Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas
- Alicia Martinez Newell, Wichita State University CARE Team
- Dr. Michelle Vann, Vanntastic Solutions
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays from the Shocker Career Accelerator! We hope you all have a safe and wonderful break!
Nominate an adult learner for the second annual Adult Learner of the Year Award
In March of 2021, the Office of Adult Learning will host the 2nd Annual Adult Learner of the Year (ALOTY) awards ceremony. In this ceremony, we will not only celebrate six years as an office, but we will also name an ALOTY, two finalists, a community partner and a WSU partner. We are calling on the WSU community to help us find an adult learner at Wichita State deserving of the title, Adult Learner of the Year. The deadline to nominate an adult learner for is Friday, Jan. 29.
A student is considered an adult learner at Wichita State if they are a current undergraduate earning their first bachelor’s degree and be either:
- 24 years or older or
- Military or Veteran student or
- Independent status
ALOTY Criteria:
- 3.00 GPA at WSU (Extenuating circumstances can be reviewed)
- Displays perseverance in obtaining a degree
- Demonstrates Shocker Pride
- Possesses leadership qualities
If you know of a student who meets the following criteria, please click here and submit their name.
Sign up for Intramurals Winter Activities!
This winter break sign-up for our Intramurals winter activities! College bowl pick'em is coming up on Dec. 19, and NBA daily fantasy sports is on Dec. 25. Go to IMLeagues.com/wichita for more information.
Great prices on last minute gift ideas
Didn’t get a chance to make the Shocker Store’s Shock the Halls Sale? Don’t worry, because they still have some of those great deals available! Items are available in the RSC store and online at shockerstore.com. Choose free in-store pickup or free shipping over $75. Happy Holidays, Shockers!
Saturday Sale in the Shocker Store
This Saturday, Dec. 12, save on some great gifts in the Shocker Store! That day only, take 20% off kids’ merchandise, headwear and cold weather gear. Sale is in both the RSC and Braeburn Square locations.
Stocking stuffer special at the Heskett Center. Buy 2 get 1 FREE!
Need a stocking stuffer? What about a WSU face mask? Right now you can buy 2 get 1 FREE at the Heskett Center. Visit us at the guest services desk to get yours today! For more information call 316-978-3082.