WSU Today: July 25, 2019

Opportunity to develop new First-Year Seminars on July 31

After piloting First-Year Seminars (FYS) for three years, the faculty have approved requiring an FYS course for all first-time-in-college students as part of their general education experience starting in fall 2021. This is an exciting opportunity to add another best practice to our other student success strategies on campus. Summer presents a good time for new course development. For those wanting to teach a seminar in the fall of 2020, we recommend you submit your course proposal to your department committee no later than Sept 30.

For tenure and non-tenure track faculty members interested in learning more about how to develop a first-year seminar course, Information Sessions are scheduled for:

• 3 p.m. Wednesday July 31, in 262 RSC

Additional sessions will be scheduled in the future and announced in WSU Today. Information is also available at First-Year Seminars, www.wichita.edu/FYS, or you can contact Carolyn.Shaw@wichita.edu or Kim.Sandlin@wichita.edu with questions.

Earn a master’s online in Learning and Instructional Design

The Master of Education in Learning and Instructional Design is an ideal program for career advancement of those engaged in higher education, K-12 education, professional development, and/or workplace training.

This 30-credit hour master’s degree program is offered completely online and allows for specialization based on individual professional needs. Click here to learn more or contact Graduate Coordinator Mara Alagic at mara.alagic@wichita.edu or 978-6974.

Candidates for director of Office of Disability Services to present today (Thursday, July 25) and Friday, July 26

Today (Thursday, July 25) and Friday, July 26, candidates will give presentations on “Innovative ways to engage the WSU community with Disability Services” as part of the interviewing process for the director of Office for Disability Services position. The presentations will be at 2:30 p.m. both days in 257 RSC. Anyone in the campus community is welcome to attend. The presentations will be 30 minutes, followed by a Q&A session.

Click here to see Rhonda Riggs’ resume.

Click here to see Isabel Medina Keiser’s resume.

Registration for 'Campus Safety: Active Threat Incident Planning' is open

Providing a safe and secure environment for the WSU community continues to be a top priority. The Campus Safety: Active Threat Incident Planning course is from 3-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, in 233 RSC, is a live training initiative to enhance WSU’s proactive approach to ensure a safe campus environment and to prepare our faculty, staff, and students in case of an incident of campus violence. 

Campus Safety: Active Threat Incident Planning will focus on two areas: 1) what to do in an active campus threat incident and 2) how to identify and report behaviors of concern.

This training is free and available to all WSU employees (faculty and staff). Log in to myWSU and register through myTraining.  For questions, contact myTraining@wichita.edu.

University Libraries offering patent training

Join University Libraries for “The Path to a Patent Part I: The Patent Application Process” workshop from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, in 217 Ablah Library.

In this module, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will provide a brief overview of the different types of intellectual property (including trademarks and copyrights) and take an in-depth look at the patenting process from invention to application to issue. We will also cover the requirements for patentability, how to determine whether a provisional or non-provisional application is right for you, and how to weigh the costs and benefits of hiring a patent attorney.

These events are free and open to the public. Contact Sara Butts at sara.butts@wichita.edu or 978-5017 with questions.

Graduate School office will close at 2:45 p.m. today (Thursday, July 25)

The Graduate School office will close at 2:45 p.m. today (Thursday, July 25) for staff development. The office will reopen at 8 a.m. Friday, July 26. Students, faculty or staff who need to drop off any paperwork on Thursday afternoon may do so at the OneStop office in 112 Jardine Hall.

Special campus visit planned for community, alumni and educators

The majority of Wichita State alumni in the Wichita area graduated when it had the reputation as a commuter school. Several community members and educators have a familiarity with Wichita State, but few know about the opportunities we share with our prospective student population. In the past few years, our campus has become a place of dynamic growth with new buildings and programs aimed to preserve the legacy of Shocker Nation and continue to build on it.

In an effort to update perceptions of our campus, our office is hosting a special campus visit for the community, alumni and educators in the Marcus Welcome Center at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 31. As part of the event, attendees will hear from our staff about the updates and plans for the future, take a tour of campus with current students, enjoy refreshments and even take home some Shocker swag.

Click here by Monday, July 29, to RSVP for the tour.

All are invited!

KMUW is taking applications for speakers at Wichitalks

KMUW is hosting Wichitalks on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Roxy’s Downtown, and we’re currently taking applicationsfor speakers.

Speakers will give a five-minute presentation (20 slides, auto-advancing every 15 seconds) about something they’re passionate about. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 26. More information about Wichitalks can be found on our website.

Summer bash at Meritrust in Braeburn Square today (Thursday, July 25)

Enjoy food trucks and snow cones and friendly cornhole competition at the Meritrust summer bash from 2-5 p.m. today (Thursday, July 25) in Braeburn Square. Enter to win a $50 VISA gift card and $50 gift card to the Shocker Store.

Free budgeting and life skills class available for children of faculty, staff

If your child is going into 7th or 8th grade this fall, there is a free class available where students learn budgeting and real-life skills. GoCreate is hosting the Meritrust Reality Store class, set for 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1.

Learn more and register

Campus Recreation looking for guest presenters for staff training on Aug. 18

Campus Recreation Student Staff Training will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. Sunday Aug. 18. Staff members will go through four, 30-minute sessions. The first three are required, but we want to give them an opportunity to choose their final session. Here are some of the possible topics in which guest presenters are welcome:  

1. Positive work habits: Dependability, accuracy, and perseverance
2. Positive work attitudes
3. Accountability and responsibility
4. Career Development: Translating on campus work to their professional work
5. Diversity and inclusion

If you have another idea for a possible presentation, let us know.

If you are willing to be a guest presenter or have a topic idea, contact Austin Sanderson at Austin.sanderson@wichita.edu or call 978-5284.

The Suites will be closed July 29-30 for training

The Suites at WSU will be closed to tours and general information on Monday, July 29 and Tuesday, July 30 for Desk Assistant training. Should you have any questions during this time, please contact Housing & Residence Life at 978-3693, or stop by the Shocker Hall Information Desk.

The Suites at WSU Information Desk will reopen at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 31. A calendar with full Information Desk schedules for The Suites at WSU, The Flats at WSU, and Shocker Hall from now through student move-in is available here.

WSUAA announces officers and new board members for FY20

Bill Luebbert

Bill Luebbert ’85/88, senior director of supply chain management for Cox Communications, heads the executive committee of the Wichita State University Alumni Association for fiscal year 2020. Other WSUAA board officers are Laura Bernstorf ’04, chair-elect; Brandon Baker ’06; Vic Everett ’79; Caleb Klein ’10; Luke Luttrell ’02; Tim Norton; and Shawn Penner ’92/93, immediate past chair.

Next steps for returning adults – July 29-30

The Office of Admissions is excited to collaborate with the Office of Adult Learning to host “Next Steps for Returning Adult Students” on Monday and Tuesday, July 29-30.

The event is intended to help adult learners navigate their way through the admission and enrollment process. Admitted adult students and even those who haven’t yet started the application process are invited to attend; university personnel will be on hand to answer questions about the next steps for each individual student. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about:

• Transfer Gateway and how their credits transfer
• Financial aid options with Office of Financial Aid staff
• Resources available through the Office of Adult Learning

An optional campus tour will also be offered at 5:30 p.m. before the event.

Questions? Contact Susi at 978-5979 or susi.acosta@wichita.edu.

WSU earns AVCA Team Academic Award

The Wichita State volleyball team has been named a recipient of the 2018-19 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. The Shockers are one of 189 Division I programs to earn the honor.
 
The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative GPA on a 5.0 scale.
 
WSU had a team GPA of 3.48 in 2018-19.
 
A complete list of programs earning the honor is available here.