People are relocating to Wichita, thanks to WSU Tech's free-tuition scholarship program
Wichita, Kansas, named “The Air Capital of the World” is experiencing rapid growth in their aviation and manufacturing operations.
WSU Tech, the largest technical college in Kansas, is thinking outside of the box to produce a trained workforce to meet their hiring needs through the creation of a scholarship program titled “Wichita Promise Move.” Launched in July 2018, the purpose of the Wichita Promise Move is to relocate people who live at least 75 miles outside of the Wichita area to receive training and an employment opportunity at no cost to the student. This was created thanks to a grant initiative by the Wichita Community Foundation.
"Wichita Promise Move is designed to remove the barriers that keep individuals from getting trained” said Sheree Utash, president, WSU Tech. “Whether those barriers are financial, location, time or the fear of failing, this innovative workforce development strategy will help individuals get the training they need to get a career and ultimately a better life.”
WSU Tech set a goal to enroll 25 people who live outside Kansas and another 25 people who live in the state but outside a 75-mile radius of Wichita during the fall semester to start one of their short-term aviation training programs.
As of the beginning of October, 32 students from 14 states across the United States have moved to Wichita, with another 18 enrolled and preparing to move at the end of the month. Of these, 75 percent of the students have come from outside of Kansas, relocating from as far as New York, California and Massachusetts.
Town Hall Topic: Strategic Planning on Oct. 25
Plan on attending the next Town Hall from 3-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, in Shirley Beggs Ballroom, third floor, RSC. A dessert reception will follow. The topic for the next Town Hall is “Activating the Strategic Plan.”
Administrative Processes & Procedures Information Sharing, Q&A event on Nov. 8
Administrative assistants, executive assistants, college business managers and more are invited to attend the Administrative Processes & Procedures Information Sharing and Q&A session at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in 209 Hubbard Hall.
View the agenda and register for this informative session on myWSU > myTraining. To submit questions in advance, please email adminprocesss@wichita.edu by Friday, Nov. 2.
This is major
Students often pick a major for the wrong reasons, such as parental expectations or peer influence. If they are unhappy with their choice, disconnected from their program or are undecided, encourage them to explore their options now, before enrollment for the spring semester is in full swing. Staying in the wrong major or undecided for too long can have negative academic and financial implications which need to be seriously considered before declaring a major.
Students have a number of resources including faculty, academic advisors, experts in the Career Development Center and the Major Explorer tool in the Guide app to help them narrow their choices and explore options related to their strengths and subjects they enjoy.
New WSU buttons available for purchase through today (Monday, Oct. 22)
WSU's highly popular Shocker-themed buttons are now available for your department to purchase. They make great freebies for students and campus guests—and add a dash of Shocker spirit to your own wardrobe.
The buttons:
- Come in sets of 10
- Feature 10 new designs
- Are 1.5-inch in diameter
- Require a minimum order of 50 buttons for $15
The order deadline is 5 p.m. today (Monday, Oct. 22). To order buttons, go to button order form.
SAMPE to hold professional event tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 23)
The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) Wichita Chapter will have its next professional event at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday Oct. 23) in the Experiential Engineering Building lobby.
This month's guest speaker will be Cindy Hoover, vice president and chief engineer of operations for Spirit Aerosystems. Her topic is “Women in Engineering.”
There will be light hors d'oeuvres and drinks served. The event is free to WSU students. For members and professionals there will be a $10 charge.
Neal Allen: Predicting Gov. Kobach, Gov. Kelly and President Pence
Neal Allen
Wichita State political scientist Neal Allen wrote an op-ed that appeared in the Topeka Capital-Journal and The Wichita Eagle last week. Read the op-ed below.
When Mike Pence speaks with Kris Kobach on Thursday in Topeka and Wichita, they will both extol the virtues of President Donald Trump's agenda of protectionism and immigration restriction. But if we go back to 2015, the two Republican leaders could not be more different.
The evolution of Pence on these issues, and the consistency of Kobach, raise a difficult issue for American voters: How can we predict what a politician will do if they are promoted to higher office? Will they be like Kobach and stick with the positions that made their career? Or will they be like Pence and shift to match the positions of the man who promoted them?
I would argue that the answer lies in their original motivation for seeking political office. Mike Pence started his rise to power as part of the movement of Protestant Evangelicals into the core of the Republican Party. Raised a Democrat, Pence was a talk-radio host in Indianapolis and rode the backlash to Bill Clinton's presidency into Congress in 2000.
WSU School of Performing Arts presents ‘Seussical,' the musical
The Wichita State University School of Performing Arts is performing “Seussical,” Oct. 25-28 in Wilner Auditorium.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday- Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Students with WSU ID get in free. Seating is reserved so please contact the WSU Box Office to reserve tickets: 316-978-3233 or Fine Arts Box Office.
“Seussical” is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza that is perfect for the whole family. Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little kid with a big imagination – Jojo.
Fright Night Haunting at the Heskett Center on Oct. 26
Fright Night Haunting at the Heskett Center is coming from 8 p.m.-midnight Friday, Oct. 26. This is a free event that begins with food, costume contest and more. If you dare, our guides will take you on a tour of the Heskett Center, where countless students may have gone missing … or maybe they're still there, waiting for you …
Students can get legal advice without the cost
Legal advice will be available on Tuesday, Oct. 30, and Thursday, Nov. 8. Any current WSU student may sign up for a 15-minute meeting with an attorney to discuss an issue or concern they may be facing.
To sign up for a time slot, fill out the Legal Advice form located on the Student Advocate's website.
AccuWeather's WSU Faculty & Staff Open House on Monday, Oct. 29
WSU faculty and staff are invited to attend AccuWeather's WSU Faculty & Staff Open House from 3-5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, at 100 N. Broadway, Suite 750. Come tour their Wichita facility located in the Ruffin Building downtown. As a leader in big data, learn how AccuWeather helps two billion people worldwide protect their lives, their families and their businesses.
You can also learn more about how AccuWeather has hired and continues to hire WSU students, and the opportunities they're engaged in with the WSU Career Development Center.
The event is free to WSU faculty and staff, but registration is required by Thursday, Oct. 25.
AccuWeather event registration
Retirement party planned for Chuck Bouska and Becky North
Save the date for a retirement party for Chuck Bouska and Becky North from 3:30-5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5 in 233 RSC. It will be come-and-go with remarks at 4 p.m. Please come wish them well in retirement!
Bouska has worked for the State of Kansas for 40 years, recently in ITS Application Development.
North has been in ITS Application Training for 14 years.
Graduate School Professional Development Series event on Nov. 1
The Graduate School Professional Development Series will present Career Chats for International Students from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in 266 RSC. The event is co-sponsored by Career Development Center and the Graduate School.
Presenters include AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions, Airbus, Case New Holland, Johnson Controls, NetApp and Northwestern Mutual
International students - are you ready for the workforce – but missing that polish? Are you building a professional network? Come to this face-to-face interactive session and receive career tips from Wichita area employers. To eat, register before Thursday, Oct. 25, at wichita.edu/CareerChats. Log in to Handshake with your WSU ID and password, and click “Join Event.”
Halloween ComicFest is coming Saturday, Oct. 27
University Libraries is hosting its second annual Halloween ComicFest from 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 in Ablah Library. Come join us for a fun-filled afternoon including a keynote from the creators of "Luke the Longhorn”, breakout sessions, appearances by the 501st Legion, a spooky film screening, Magic: The Gathering, a kids zone, and free comics for everyone – while supplies last, so come early!
We'll also have technology demonstrations throughout the day including virtual reality, 3-D printing, and a green screen photo booth.
Participate in our costume contest for a chance to win great prizes! The event is free and open to the public, so bring your friends! Visit the event website for more information.
Pub Peek: Fast Facts Wu
Fast Facts Wu is a new publication this year. Pictured above is the back of the piece, while the front is the traditional photo of WuShock. At college fairs, it is customary to see a die-cut version of the university's mascot. Many other schools have a list of dates and deadlines on the back, but we wanted this piece to highlight fun facts about student life, academics and the community of Wichita.
Fast Facts Wu is distributed to students during high school visits, transfer recruitment activities, on-campus events, college fairs and to each student who comes to campus for an individualized visit. Check out Fast Facts Wu and many of our additional publications online at wichita.edu/publications.
Try the Burger of the Month at SSGL
Try the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes Burger (SSGL) of the Month for October, the Zombie Burger! It's a grilled meatloaf burger, topped with bacon and red sauce. Try it before the month is over.