Don’t miss Black History Month keynote speaker Anthony Ray Hinton tomorrow
The Diversity Lecture Series presents Anthony Hinton – Black History Month Keynote Speaker – at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 13) in the CAC Theater.
Have you seen the movie “Just Mercy” or read the book? Check it out before our WSU Diversity Lecture Series Black History Month Keynote Speaker Anthony Hinton comes to campus. The event is cosponsored by ODI, Burns & McDonnell, WSU Alumni Association, Wichita Branch of the NAACP, AAFSA, WSU Black Student Union, and the Black Academic Honor Society.
Anthony Ray Hinton was released in April 2015 after spending 30 years on Alabama’s death row for a crime he did not commit. He was released with the help of the Equal Justice Initiative, of which he is now an employee. He now serves as EJI’s Community Educator, and travels both nationally and internationally to speak about his experience.
More information and ticket details will be available at Wichita.edu/odishop. This event is free and open to the public; a free ticket will serve as an entry. Learn more about Hinton at https://eji.org/issues/death-penalty/.
Registration for Goal-Setting Workshop is now available
WSU faculty and staff looking for tips about how to set and keep both personal and professional goals should sign up for this free workshop facilitated by ComPsych / Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Qualified employees will receive a HealthQuest point for completing the session! This workshop will be held now to March, and will take place in the RSC. Seating is limited. Registration is required through the myTraining link (found in myWSU). For assistance with myTraining, email myTraining@wichita.edu.
Goal-setting gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation. The process of setting goals allows you to choose where you want to go in your personal life as well as your professional career. A life without goals is like a road trip without a map. By knowing exactly what you want to achieve, you are less likely to get lost, and you will be happier and less frustrated along the way.
At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Define what goals mean to you
- Identify the specificity that differentiates goals from wishes or dreams
- Identify the reasons goals sometimes fail
- Describe how you can overcome common pitfalls
- Describe how to write your goals effectively
- Identify how to use a goal-setting worksheet
- Describe your action plan for keeping to your goals
Changes coming to Tuition Assistance applications
Beginning summer 2020 term, the tuition assistance application will be completed and submitted online. The fillable PDF form will no longer be accepted.
The online application form will be available Feb. 15 through April 15. For more information on the new application process, go to Tuition Assistance.
We are excited about this improved application process and look forward to serving applicants in a more streamlined and efficient way.
- Employees will no longer need to provide course CRNs to request tuition assistance. No more waiting for the course schedule to become available in order to submit or needing to send an email when a course number changes.
- Employees will no longer need their supervisor sign their application form. Instead, the applicant’s supervisor will receive an automated email notification upon submission of an eligible application. Employees must still request permission from their supervisor if the scheduled course overlaps with their usual work schedule.
- Simplified online form will reduce incomplete applications and missing information.
- Applicants will receive an automated confirmation email with preliminary approval / denial based on application responses. Note: All applications will be reviewed before awards are finalized.
For program information, eligibility and application windows, click on Tuition Assistance.
Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.
RSVP today for open forum to discuss Blackboard on Feb. 14
The Media Resources Center and Online Learning will talk about the future of our LMS, Blackboard from 10-11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, in 233 RSC.
We will discuss the move to a different Blackboard hosting environment and what steps will need to be taken by faculty. We will also talk about plans for updates coming soon, which include a move to a new look and feel for Blackboard.
Come listen and share your thoughts with the team in this open forum. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP with Crystal Dilbeck, at crystal.dilbeck@wichita.edu by today (Wednesday, Feb. 12).
How to reopen a step – myPerformance tips and tricks
“I missed my self-evaluation deadline, what can I do now? Can I get an extension?” or “My direct report missed the Self-Evaluation deadline, but no longer has access to their performance evaluation. What can I do?” These are the most common question the myPerformance Team gets this time of year. Here’s what you should do.
Employees – ask your manager to reroute / send your evaluation back to you.
Managers – you have the option to send your direct report(s) evaluation back to them by using “Reopen Step.” This will reroute the evaluation back to your employee so that they may complete the Self-Evaluation step of the evaluation cycle. Once they have saved and submitted their content, the evaluation will automatically route back to you. INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Open your direct report 2019-2020 evaluation 2) select “Reopen Step”. It’s that easy.
Remember: Manager Review is due by the end of this month (Feb. 29). Only managers will have access to performance evaluations during this step, unless they have used the “Reopen” step function to extend the Self-Evaluation deadline to their direct report.
More information, including myPerformance training, go to www.wichita.edu/myPerformance.
RH: Love of running, travel fuels Petersen
Where are they now?
Nelsen Petersen - cross country (1984-89)
By Paul Suellentrop
As junior in high school, Nelsen Petersen signed up for a foreign exchange program.
"I put in for any place," he said. "They told me that if you're open to anything,
you'll get in."
The program sent Petersen, who attended Concordia High School, to Kenya. He loved
that assignment because he loved running as much as he loved traveling. He grew up
in a house full of National Geographic magazines and maps.
"It couldn't have been any better," he said. "Until I got there and the program basically
folded. I was there through the summer and up to Thanksgiving, most of it fending
for myself. I basically thumbed around East Africa as a 17-year-old. You can't really
do that anymore."
That experience of hitch-hiking through Kenya, sleeping in open spaces and thatched
huts, opened the door to a lifetime of traveling and working and working in order
to do more traveling.
See complete story on Petersen.
Volunteer as a conversation leader at the Intensive English Center
If you enjoy learning about other cultures and meeting people from around the world, volunteer as a conversation leader at the Intensive English Language Center.
Conversation outings are Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m.
Spring 2020 conversation dates are Feb. 12, 19, 26, March 4, April 8, 15, 22, 29, and May 6.
For more information, contact volunteer coordinator Aimee Leisy at aimee.leisy@wichita.edu, leave a message at the Intensive English Language Center front desk at 978-6040, or stop by the Intensive English Center at 1741 N. Hillside.
Join CAPS this semester for Keep Calm & Breathe On
Join Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS) again this semester for Keep Calm & Breathe On!
Drop in to build structured relaxation time into your life and learn techniques to do relaxation on your own. You will be led in meditation, mindfulness and relaxation practices. The meetings are every Wednesday from 12:15-12:45 p.m. in 257 RSC.
Women of WSU luncheon Feb. 19 featuring female WSU Deans panel
The Women of WSU luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Marcus Welcome Center. We will have a panel of WSU female deans and a BBQ cookout.
The luncheon will include smoked pulled chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, condiments, and peach cobbler for only $13.
Please join us. RSVPs are due Friday, Feb. 14.
Join WASAC and Counseling and Prevention Services for the Healing from Trauma Support Group
Join the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center and CAPS this semester for the Healing from Trauma Support Group. No appointment needed.
Counseling and Prevention Services
Spread the love
Have a Hippo Valentine’s Day with SAC, CSB, and SGA from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 13) on the first floor, RSC.
Come and make flowers to take to your Valentine and make a Valentine’s Day card that we’ll take to the children at the Wichita Children’s Home and Wesley Pediatric Unit. Play some romantic games with Huxley and visit with SGA to let them know how they can show you the love by giving them feedback for what you would like to see on campus.
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/sac or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.
Dinner presentation on Japanese business and culture at the World Trade Council of Wichita on Feb. 20
As director of the Center for International Business Advancement (CIBA) and chair of the World Trade Council of Wichita (WTCouncil), Usha Haley invites you and your students to the monthly dinner presentation at the WTCouncil. On Thursday, Feb. 20, JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) will speak on "The Dynamic Production Growth of Japanese Production Investment in Kansas and the MidWest: What the Council Members Need to Know."
Speakers at the event are Ralph Inforzato, Chief Executive Director, JETRO Chicago, and Kyohei Yabu, researcher and Visiting Fellow Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington D.C.). The Chief Executive of JETRO NY is expected to join the discussion as well at this time.
JETRO is the highly influential trade and investment arm of the Japanese government; Japan is a major trading partner of Kansas and the United States. Prior to the dinner that begins at 7 p.m., and the presentation that begins at 8 p.m., JETRO will sponsor a Japanese-style networking event. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Japanese culture and business.
The cost for a WTCouncil member is $40, non-members - $60
The cost for a WSU student is $10, and for a non-WSU student, $15.
A copy of the flyer is available here. Make your reservations online at www.wichita.edu/wtcouncil or call the office at 978-3176. For more information, contact Sherryl Hubble at sherryl.hubble@wichita.edu and Emily Orwaru at emorwaru@shockers.wichita.edu
The World Trade Council of Wichita is part of a strategic, public-private partnership with The Center for International Business Advancement at the Barton School of Business, Wichita State University.
Fraternity and Sorority Life seeking awards judges
Fraternity and Sorority Life is currently seeking staff and/or faculty members to serve as interview judges for our Annual Greek Awards. We are seeking one additional judge for 1-5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14.
We are seeking two judges for 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, and two judges for 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16.
Email Rani Somers at rani.somers@wichita.edu if you are interested.
A talk on the Cuban revolution
A talk on the Cuban revolution—as a historical process and an idea—from Gabriel Vignoli (new School for Social Research), who did long term ethnographic research in Cuba and runs an annual field school in La Havana will be presented from 10-11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14, in 262 RSC.
The talk focuses on crucial historic moments, the narrative of the state, and the enactment of the revolution, along with political instability, economic change, and violence that demonstrates the emergence of new political categories.
Congratulations to our Japanese language students
The Modern and Classical Languages and Literature department congratulates our Japanese language students who took the Japanese Language Proficiency test this December. All of our students who took the exam passed their respective levels.
Russel Greenall-Sharp and Maica Parga both passed the JLPT N4 exam, Blane Steckline passed the JLPT N3, and Jacob Christensen passed the JLPT N2. Achieving N2 proficiency is required to work in most Japanese companies.
Students were prepared last semester by our visiting scholar from Japan, Naoko Tadokoro. This semester, three students are studying to take the exam next December.
Great job - you have made WSU proud!
KMUW to host Wichitalks; taking applications for speakers now
KMUW is hosting Wichitalks on Saturday, March 21, at the Crown Uptown, and we’re currently taking applications for speakers. Speakers will give a 5-minute presentation (20 slides, auto-advancing every 15 seconds) about something they’re passionate about.
The deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 21. More information about Wichitalks can be found on our website. We’re also selling tickets to the event; those can be found on the website as well.
Savvy Scholar series set to host Library Open House
A brand-new week is here for the Savvy Scholar series hosted by WSU Libraries. Our upcoming "Love Your Library Open House" is set for noon-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, in Ablah Library C-Space on the main floor.
You are invited to the 17th annual POWER Conference
You are invited to the 17th annual POWER Conference at Wichita State University. We are excited to invite people from all disciplines to attend this event. Register for the POWER Conference here.
This year’s theme centers on the 12 Grand Challenges of Social Work – a national initiative that serves as a call to action for social workers and other helping professionals to harness our science and knowledge base, collaborate with people from all fields and disciplines, and to work together to tackle some of our toughest social problems. Our world faces serious, interrelated, and large-scale challenges, and it takes all of us working together to craft solutions.
The Grand Challenges include these areas of focus:
- Ensure healthy development for all youth
- Close the health gap
- Stop family violence
- Advance long and productive lives
- Eradicate social isolation
- End homelessness
- Create social responses to a changing environment
- Harness technology for social good
- Promote smart decarceration
- Reduce extreme economic inequality
- Build financial capability for all
- Achieve equal opportunity and justice
Attendees have the opportunity to engage in up to six hours of pre-conference sessions, focused on safety, eating disorders / diagnosis and ethics, as well as the full main conference day.
POWER gives us the opportunity to connect together, grow together, and change the world together – this conference can help us be inspired by the innovation of others, rejuvenated as practitioners, invigorated by new knowledge, and challenged with fresh perspectives.
Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum is April 10
The annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) will be held Friday, April 10, in the Rhatigan Student Center. The forum provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students at Wichita State to present their scholarly and creative activity to a faculty, student and community audience, while competing for cash awards. Abstract submissions are due by Friday, March 27.
Wichita State awards $228,000 in engineering scholarships
Ten high school seniors have won the 2020 Wallace Scholarship in engineering to attend Wichita State University. The scholarships total $228,000.
The 2020 Wallace Scholars were announced Friday, Feb. 7 at a ceremony in the John Bardo Center. Wallace Scholarship recipients will receive $28,500 each to attend Wichita State for four years. In addition, two students already receiving the Gore Scholarship and Koch Honors Scholarship also will be designated as Wallace Scholars.
Fitness in 45 minutes with Campus Recreation
Did you know your Campus Recreation membership includes unlimited F45 classes? A value of $169/month in a private studio.
F45 is the fastest growing company in the fitness industry with over 1750 location worldwide. WSU houses the only studio in Kansas with the next closest being over 100 miles away. Faculty & staff membership is as little as $6.57/paycheck with payroll deduction. Take advantage!
Our students host 21 classes a week, so come support them and get a great workout. See you in the studio,
Campus Recreation Shocker Fit Schedule
Free Lil' Shocker growth charts available
Have a lil' Shocker or adding one to your family? Request a free Lil' Shocker Growth Chart to track their height as they grow, compliments of the Office of Admissions. Growth charts will be delivered to faculty and staff member campus box numbers and available for student pick-up in the Marcus Welcome Center. Requests can be submitted at www.wichita.edu/growthchart.
RSC Unplugged features Tom Page Trio
Stop by the Rhatigan Student Center every Wednesday for the live music series, RSC Unplugged. RSC Unplugged for today (Wednesday, Feb. 12) features the Tom Page Trio. Come by from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the RSC’s Starbucks Lounge, grab a cup of coffee and relax with some great music.
Faculty and Staff: The SGA Elections Commission needs your help!
Do you know of a student (undergrad or graduate student) who you think might make a great candidate for the Student Government Association!? Do you have someone who is ready for a crucial leadership position to make decisions and represent the entire student body? Please encourage them to run and declare themselves as a candidate for the upcoming SGA elections!
What does SGA even do? SGA serves as the voice of students to the university and college administration, local, state and federal representatives. SGA also manages the allocation of more than $10 million dollars in student fees, and governs over all recognized student organizations, provides funding to student groups and individuals, and awards several thousands of dollars in scholarships annually.
For more information, go to wichita.edu/sgaelections, or have them reach out to sga.elections@wichita.edu.
Valentine’s Day Sweets and Treats on Friday
The Shocker Learning Center will host an open house from 1-3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, in 107 Lindquist Hall. Stop by and learn to love learning!
The Shocker Learning Center (SLC) is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. It is the home of Student Success’ Academic Success Programs.
Supplemental Instruction (SI): Free, weekly group study sessions led by a certified SI Leader who has previously succeeded in the course. Meet with your SI Leader individually during their office hours.
Tutoring: Free one-on-one and small group educational support with a trained tutor.
Peer Coaches: Peers helping peers with time management, study skills, goal setting, organizing assignments, note taking and referrals to other resources on campus.
In addition to the services it offers, the SLC is also a study room equipped with computers and free beverages such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and filtered water.
Official Pink Tee for Breast Cancer Awareness basketball game
The Shocker Store is home to the official pink tee for the Breast Cancer Awareness game for the men’s basketball team on Thursday, Feb. 20, against USF. The shirt is just $12, and is available in the RSC, Braeburn Square and Koch Arena Shocker Store locations, and online at shockerstore.com. Grab your tee and wear pink for the cause!