WSU Today: Sept. 3, 2019

September HealthQuest upcoming events

Employees enrolled in 2019 coverage through the State Employee Health Plan can earn a premium discount worth $480 annually and HSA/HRA rewards dollars up to $500 per year for each employee and covered spouse, just by participating and logging healthy activities throughout the year! Start by registering in the HealthQuest portal. 

In September, there are four events currently scheduled, worth up to 27 points total! Here are some of the upcoming events this month:

Faculty mentors sought for First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) in STEM

The Cohen Honors College is seeking faculty mentors to work with students selected to participate in the First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) in STEM. Faculty should apply by Oct. 15, and are also encouraged to nominate graduate students to serve as FYRE mentors. All mentors will be matched with students based on interest and research projects should be designed to be carried out in the Spring 2020 semester. Questions may be directed to Moriah Beck at moriah.beck@wichita.edu or 978-5476.

First-Year Research Experience

Undergraduate Research mentors wanted

Faculty who are interested in mentoring undergraduate student research or creative activity or facilitating an undergraduate student research grant application may send their information to the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College at undergraduateresearch@wichita.edu. We will add your information to our online list and invite students to contact you for more information.

Information about undergraduate research and creative activity funding can found online at www.wichita.edu/studentresearch 

Video highlights how the WSU Center for Combating Human Trafficking fits into the university's 2019-20 priorities

The Center for Combating Human Trafficking operates as a not-for-profit within the Liberal Arts and Sciences College, offering direct services (prevention for young people and long term holistic healing survivor services), education, awareness and training, consultation and technical assistance, research, and policy development.

Brown bag lunch with Learning Quest 529 Educational Savings Plan

Rising education costs may have you wondering if you can afford it. Did you know you can enjoy a tax-advantaged account while building savings for education expenses? You can open a Learning Quest account for anyone, including yourself, children and grandchildren. With the Learning Quest UGift program, friends and family members can also help support the student’s education! 

Join Teresa Stewart at either 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 4), in 266 RSC, for a brown bag lunch presentation and Q&A session. She will talk about the earning opportunities and tax advantages of using a Learning Quest 529 Plan to save for educational expenses. 

Attendees are invited to bring their lunch to the presentation. Light snacks and drinks will be provided. 

Contact Teresa Stewart at Teresa_Stewart@americancentury.com with any questions, or to register for one of the sessions.

Become a conversation leader for Intensive English Language Center

If you enjoy learning about other cultures and meeting people from around the world, come volunteer as a conversation leader at the Intensive English Language Center! 

Conversation outings are Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m.; and 12:30-2 p.m. 

Fall 2019 Conversation Schedule 
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25 
Oct. 2 and 23
Nov. 6, 13, 20 
Dec. 4 

Orientation for conversation volunteers is at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Intensive English Language Center, 1741 N. Hillside. 

For more information, contact volunteer coordinator Nancy Millham at nancy.millham@wichita.edu.

The Lecture Series in the Mathematical Sciences presents Gideon Maschler, Clark University

Gideon Maschler from Clark University will be the guest lecturer for the Lecture Series in the Mathematical Sciences at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, in 372 Jabara Hall. Maschler will present “Shear and explicit Kähler metrics in dimension four."

Refreshments will be served before the lecture at 2:30 p.m. in 353 Jabara Hall.

Click here for the abstract and a list of upcoming lectures.

Join in the retirement celebration for Doris Wells

The Office of Purchasing invites you to the retirement celebration for Doris Wells from 2-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, with remarks at 2:30 p.m. in 261 RSC.

This is a come-and-go event to share your memories and well wishes as we celebrate the many years of service, contributions, and dedication to her career with WSU.

Cake and refreshments will be served, along with a receiving table for cards and gifts. No RSVP required.

OneStop Specialist position open

OneStop Student Services is hiring for an OneStop Specialist position. Applications will be accepted until 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. To learn more information about the position and to apply, go to Job Postings.

Wichita State University Career Site.

Wednesdays in Wiedemann begins new season tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 4)

The first Wednesdays in Wiedemann of the new academic year with organist Lynne Davis will be held at 5:15 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 4) in Wiedemann Hall. Enjoy great music performed by Davis on the Marcussen Organ. Admission is free.

Registration for Engaging a Multigenerational Workforce Training on Sept. 19 is available!

Engaging a Multigenerational Workforce will be held in the RSC on Thursday, Sept. 19. This interactive training highlights the different generations and their workstyles, while providing a space for participants to learn more about their own work culture.

Participants will learn the differences and similarities between the generations, while dispelling stereotypes and celebrating the importance of having a multigenerational workforce.  This session meets the core course requirement for the Diversity in Action program. 

Click here for more information about the Diversity in Action Program.

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.

WSU’s Kansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the Navy to Conduct Small Business Workshop

Wichita Navy Week will include a workshop for small businesses to receive education on how to do business with the Navy and Marine Corps. The Department of the Navy’s Office of Small Business Programs’ Financial Analyst, Ms. Shawn Smith, will present the information in a workshop in partnership with the Kansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) from 8:30-noon Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Marcus Welcome Center. To register, visit the Kansas PTAC website at www.kansasptac.org.

Smith will also cover information about how to find upcoming contracting opportunities and how small businesses can contribute to the warfighter mission. The Navy and Marine Corps are especially interested in talking with companies that have not been selling to the Navy and Marine Corps

This Procurement Technical Assistance Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency.

Google On-Campus events

The Career Development Center is excited to host Google On-Campus for three exciting events:

Google Resume Workshop from 10-10:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, in 233 RSC

Game on with Google from 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, in 233 RSC

Resume Reviews with Google from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, on the second floor Sage Lounge in the RSC.

Students, faculty and staff are welcome. RSVP at Google On-Campus.

Effective time and priority management is a skill all students need

Time management will always be one of the biggest challenges for all college students. Managing priorities, getting used to a new study schedule, juggling multiple life roles and trying to meet all academic deadlines can become overwhelming. Students can find tips and resources on how to better manage their time including a new one-page semester planner on the Student Success website.

Employability (Made) in Germany

Wichita State University, Berlin School of Economics and Law, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences and UAS7 are pleased to invite you to a discussion of skills and career options related to Germany at Wichita State University.

This networking opportunity and luncheon for students, employers, and educators will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the Shirley Beggs Ballroom, Rhatigan Student Center. An RSVP is required by Friday, Sept. 6 at Employability (Made) in German. 

The event is part of “The Year of German-American Friendship” or “Deutschlandjahr 2018/19,” and showcases Germany as one of the leading countries in dual-study programs, apprenticeships, university-industry collaborations, and applied teaching and research. Speakers will focus on the Germany-related business landscape, careers and skill-enhancing opportunities in the Wichita area, such as internships at local companies and academic exchanges with partner educational institutions in Germany.

For more information, go to uas7.org, or email Patrizia Nobbe, executive director, New York office of UAS7 at nobbe@uas7.org.

More on the Employability (Made) in Germany event

Shocker MINDSTORMS Challenge 2020

We are happy to announce our upcoming 20th MINDSTORMS challenge at WSU in March 2020. Shocker MINDSTORMS program at Wichita State includes several events designed to encourage students of all ages (K-12 and adult) to explore, experiment and experience STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics teaching and learning in a hands-on constructionist environment.

The annual Shocker MINDSTORMS Challenge is a collaboration among WSU's College of Engineering and College of Applied Studies, and local industry professionals. The challenge provides young students with the opportunity for practical application and exhibition of math, science, programming, and engineering skills, as well as promoting teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship.

Participating in Shocker MINDSTORMS challenge is free, and we are also providing a free training session for new coaches from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at WSU. Please encourage your teachers to attend this training session to understand the rules and programing skills needed for this MINDSTORMS challenge. This challenge is only for elementary and middle-school students. Thirty-three teams (362 kids) participated in the last year’s event.

For more information, go to Shocker MINDSTORMS.

Join CAPS for the Autism Spectrum Support Group

Go through the semester with a community of support. Connect with other students on the spectrum, build a social group, and learn skills to promote your social and academic success. No appointment needed. Hope to see you there!

Check out wichita.edu/caps.

Save-the-date for $6 T-shirts

Mark your calendars for the Shocker Store’s first one-day-only sale of the school year! On Tuesday, Sept. 10, the Shocker Store (RSC-location only) will have two T-shirts available for $6 each, while supplies last. Shocker Store opens at 8 a.m., and the T-shirts will sell out, so hurry in that day! Limit three per customer. Sale is in-store only. Offer not valid with other discounts or promotions and all sales are final.

Free billiards for members at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes

Members of the EAT.DRINK.PLAY. Rewards program in the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes are being rewarded with free billiards every week in September! Simply show your rewards card and play free from 4-7 p.m. Monday–Friday.

Not a member? Joining is free and easy. Availability may vary due to group reservations or special events. Visit us for more details.

Try the Barnyard Burger in September

Try the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes Burger of the Month for September -- the Barnyard Burger. It consists of a hamburger patty, crispy chicken patty, two strips of bacon and American cheese. Try one today!