New bachelor's degree in workforce leadership and applied learning to launch in spring
The Kansas Board of Regents recently approved a new Bachelor of Applied Science in Workforce Leadership and Applied Learning (BAS-WLAL) at Wichita State University. The degree, housed in the College of Applied Studies, will focus on applied learning, developing soft skills, and preparing students to be leaders in a range of organizations.
WSU enrolls largest freshman class, increases enrollment
As reported by the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), KBOR's defined full time equivalent (FTE) for WSU is 11,285, an increase of 1.58 percent over last fall's 11,109. For KBOR reporting purposes, full time is considered to be 15 hours for undergraduates and 12 hours for graduate students.
Actual total headcount at Wichita State for fall 2018 is 15,784 students, an increase of 703 students, or 4.7 percent, over fall 2017. The new first-time freshman class of 1,606 students is the largest in school history for the third consecutive year, and marks the fourth time in five years the record has been broken.
Total student credit hours are 164,212 for fall 2018, an increase of 1.7 percent compared to fall 2017.
RSVP for Strategic Communications Seminar on Oct. 10
The Strategic Communications Seminar will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the Shirley Beggs Ballroom, RSC third floor.
RSVP for the third annual Strategic Communications Seminar and gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing / communication efforts.
Please RSVP for 3 breakout sessions:
*Advertising: Seeking Strategic Success: How university marketing and advertising is elevating its game.
* Creative: The Strategic Communications website: your toolbox to creatively build on the WSU brand, and the updated photobank.
* Events: Yes! You can have an event or program on the east side of campus and Braeburn Square. Learn about event operations for WSU's new spaces and places.
* News and Media: Telling your story – It's important to tell the story of what students, faculty and staff in your department or college are doing. Learn how to identify those stories and the most effective ways to tell them.
* Social media: How to improve your social media engagement and email effectiveness using #wsunow.
* Web: Search Engine Optimization is vitally important to the success of the WSU website. The new CMS provides new tools to help you get the best search engine results possible with just a little work.
Win $5,000 and your own parking space
In order to advance WSU's Strategic Plan and SEM plan, President Bardo has announced a competition open to all members of the university community.
The competition is:
- For all members of the WSU community
- Open to proposals for new interdisciplinary certificates, minors, honors tracks, undergraduate, mini-master's or master's programs
- Focused on programs that meet the future needs of students and the community
The authors of the winning proposal will receive a combined cash award of $5,000. There also will be up to five reserved (red sign) parking places made available for the next academic year for use by the authors of the proposal at no charge to them.
Proposals are due Oct. 31.
Get started today: New Program Award
2019 Open Enrollment is here!
2019 Open Enrollment begins today! Log in to the Member Administration Portal at https://sehp.member.hrissuite.com to make your elections. All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in Open Enrollment. For a full listing of HR and KDHE Open Enrollment events and resources, go to Open Enrollment.
Note: Benefits-eligible state employees who do not log in to make 2019 elections by 11:59 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, Oct. 31, will be defaulted into Plan N with an HRA. This election will be irrevocable. Exceptions include those who waived all coverages in 2018, or who enrolled in only vision and/or MetLife supplemental coverages and wish to maintain the same elections in 2019.
KDHE webinars are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 2).
All webinars require registration and download of the GoToWebinar launcher, instructions for which will be sent via email after registering. Registration for all upcoming dates can be found here.
WSU Theatre Department introduces new podcast
The Wichita State University Theatre Department has a new podcast available on Itunes called Stagestruck Audio Theatre. For several years the Theatre Department has produced audio shows ranging from comedy, mystery, and science fiction. Stagestruck Audio Theatre started producing programs in 2011 with performers providing the voice talent in all of the shows. Audio work gives actors another avenue to perform in another medium.
Podcasting is a popular form of entertainment with many shows having large followings, such as “Lore, Welcome to Night Vale,” and “My Favorite Murder.” For an actor, it offers work in the “theatre of the mind.”
Stagestruck Audio Theatre shows offer storytelling for the ears with the opportunity for audiences to engage in a different medium. New shows will be added on a regular basis. In addition, the Theatre Department is offering a Voice Acting course that will post its shows on the podcast site.
IEE Professional Speaker Series to feature presentation by Timothy D. Unruh
Timothy D. Unruh
The IEEE Professional Speaker Series, hosted by the IEEE student branch at WSU, will feature a presentation by Timothy D. Unruh, executive director, National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, in 266 RSC. Unruh's topic is “I graduate from WSU, then what happened? How I turned my degree into a career!”
In his current position, Unruh works with state, local and federal policymakers to advance the efforts of energy service companies to provide efficiency services in a cost-effective manner.
Previosly, he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Renewable Power at the U.S. Department of Energy. In this role, he oversaw more than $500 million in annual research and development efforts performed by his department. Unruh has a long history of working in the clean energy industry, starting his career in the power quality field, before moving into energy efficiency shortly thereafter.
Unruh is a Kansas native, growing up in Wichita, and attended Wichita State University, earning his bachelor's, master's and Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering.
Shocker Store job openings
Both of the Shocker Store locations at Braeburn Square and the main campus store in the Rhatigan Student Center are looking for people to fill sales clerk positions. Qualified applicants must also have excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service.
To apply online or view the complete job descriptions visit http://wichita.edu/rschr. Rhatigan Student Center is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer.
Kansas Family Business Forum to present educational seminar on Nov. 13
Save the date for an educational seminar featuring Bruce Tulgan, renowned author of 19 management books and widely regarded as the leading global authority on generational diversity in the workplace and managing young talent.
Tulgan will present “The Great Generational Shift” from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the Hyatt Regency.
Faculty and staff judges needed for Shocktoberfest
Campus Traditions is looking for faculty and staff to help judge competitions during Shocktoberfest. There are two events, Banner competition and Songfest, that need your help! If interested, please fill out the form(s) on Shocktoberfest in the judges section, by Monday, Oct. 15, for one or both events.
If you have any questions email the Campus Traditions chair, Emily Kirkman, at emkirkman@shockers.wichita.edu.
‘Call Me Crazy' film screening and panel discussion coming Oct. 9
Come out to view “Call Me Crazy,” a film that displays powerful relationships built on hope and triumph that raises a new understanding of what happens when a loved one struggles with mental illness. The film screening will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, in 208 Hubbard Hall.
After the film there will be a panel discussion from professionals on mental illness and how it affects communities of color. This event is sponsored by WSU Black Psychologists, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Black Student Union, African American Faculty Staff Association, and the Division for Diversity and Community and Engagement.
High School Dance Clinic Scheduled for Oct. 21
The Shocker Dance team is set to host a high school clinic from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, in the Aetna Multi-Purpose Center at Charles Koch Arena.
The clinic is open to all high school aged dancers, with the opportunity to learn routines, game day stingers and practice techniques.
Dancers will have the chance to ask questions from members of the current Shocker dance team and coaching staff.
Those interested in attending the clinic can register here.
Pre-registration is $20 and walk-in registrations will be available Oct. 21for $30.
Dancers should bring tennis shoes, jazz shoes, and a water bottle. Doors will be open 30 minutes prior to the clinic starting. There will be Shocker t-shirts for sale before and after the clinic for $10.
$10 Long Sleeve Tees one-day-only sale on Oct. 10
Mark your calendars for the Shocker Store's next one-day-only sale! Starting at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 10, the Shocker Store will have two long sleeve T-shirts for $10 each, while supplies last. These will sell out, so hurry in! Limit three per customer. Sale is in-store at RSC location only. Offer not valid with other discounts or promotions, and all sales are final. To keep up-to-date on the sale, visit the Facebook event page.