Political science professor seeks to slay gerrymandering through research
Brian Amos, assistant professor of political science at Wichita State University, has dedicated numerous papers and conferences to gerrymandering research.
Amos' work is a part of an exhibition series on display WSU's Ulrich Museum of Art, titled "Solving for X=Representation: Slaying the Gerrymander." It's a collaboration between the Ulrich and university scholars in all fields to visualize their research through art.
See Gerrymandering story here.
Join us for the First-Generation Student Organization's first meeting today!
The First-Generation Student Organization (FGSO) seeks to raise awareness within Wichita State University’s student and professional community through activities and programs designed to foster the education of first-generation students.
You’re invited to the meeting from 10:30-11:30 a.m. today (Friday, Feb. 21) in the RSC Ashton / Bridges Room.
We pledge to lead the change for more acknowledgement and advocate for the implementation of practices which grow and sustain our underrepresented student population.
We would very much like for you to be a part of the connections we are making with each other and on campus to promote our cause and have fun in the process.
If this sounds like the Registered Student Organization (RSO) you want to be a part of, join us today!
High Performance Computing at WSU users meeting today
The first high-performance computing at WSU meeting will be held from 2-3 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 21) in 256 RSC. As this is a kick-off meeting, anybody who wants to contribute to the success of HPC at WSU is welcome. Bring your ideas and creativity, along with your laptops.
Wichita State has a new high-performance computing (HPC) cluster. This will help researchers, instructors and staff who have compute-intensive jobs to process. This environment replaces what used to be called HiPeCC at WSU. The new HPC cluster is named “BeoShock” after “Beowulf” cluster and Shockers. Beowulf is a type of computing cluster. The new cluster has two large GPU units (Graphics Processing Units) and nearly 600 CPU (Central Processing Unit) “cores.” As a comparison, most end-user computing devices have one CPU having between one and eight total “cores.”
The cluster is available to all WSU constituents, and also those outside of WSU who are KBOR constituents. It is jointly administered between WSU, KanREN (Kansas Research and Education Network), and Kansas State.
In order to obtain an account on BeoShock, new users (students and faculty) can request access at HPC New. The system is “bring your own software,” although we do have a few typical software packages already installed.
Terrance Figy (terrance.figy@wichita.edu), an assistant professor in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, is currently the “campus champion” for this system. As “campus champion,” Figy can offer some assistance during the initial stages of projects. However, anybody who is willing to contribute to assisting new users can serve as “campus champion” of BeoShock.
Institute of Innovation to host professional workshop
The Institute of Innovation is hosting a professional workshop April 16-17 that consists of two days of interactive and hands-on Design Thinking training. You will learn to how discover insights that can lead to new product or service opportunities, align teams around user’s needs, and ideate to solve defined problems. Plus, you will learn how to bring this process direct to your department or team.
The cost of admission is $550. Early-bird pricing ends Thursday, Feb. 27.
Find more information about this workshop, go to Wichita.edu/designthinking.
ISME Colloquium on Collaborative Robotics by Curtis Richardson
Curtis Richardson
Curtis Richardson, Technical Fellow, Spirit Aerosystems, will present “The Future of Robotics is Collaborative” at the ISME Colloquium from 11 a.m.-noon today (Friday, Feb. 21) in 211 Engineering Building.
Even conventional robotic automation is relatively new to aircraft manufacturing. After a slow introduction into production use throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, the 2000s saw a proverbial explosion of robotic deployments in the aerospace industry: Spirit went from using six industrial robots throughout its operations 2000, to now having more than a hundred. But what’s stopping aerospace manufacturers from deploying robots on the scale of the automotive industry?
Bio: A Technical Fellow, Curtis Richardson is Spirit’s enterprise leader for automation technology development. He also leads the broader Smart Manufacturing segment of Spirit’s Distinctive Capability corporate strategy for investment in research, technology, and capital as well as mergers and acquisitions. In his 23 years of industry experience, he has founded a regional robotics advocacy group bringing together broad stakeholder collaboration, served on the Robotic Industries Association’s Board of Directors for eight years, and been an active voice in the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute (a DoD-funded Manufacturing USA Institute) as a member of its Stakeholder Executive Council.
The Lecture Series in the Mathematical Sciences presents Weizhang Huang, University of Kansas
Please join us for a public lecture by Weizhang Huang from the University of Kansas, titled "Phase-field modeling of brittle fracture and its moving mesh finite element computation" at 3 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 21) in 372 Jabara Hall.
Refreshments will be served before the lecture at 2:30 p.m. in 353 Jabara Hall.
Click here for an abstract and list of upcoming lectures.
HCEA Cybersecurity Speaker Series presents Alex Roberts on Feb. 26
Join the Hub for Cybersecurity Education and Awareness from 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26th in Partnership 2 Building Room A131, to hear Alex Roberts from the AGCO Corporation and learn more about threats to connected agriculture and what it’s like to hack a tractor. Find out more and register at wichita.edu/cyberhub.
Faculty session for study abroad programs on March 6
This session is for faculty who are leading study abroad programs / travel seminars for this year. We will address all of the issues that we normally go over with students who participate in other study abroad programs and provide more information for faculty. This will include student conduct, student health and counseling / mental health issues abroad. At the session, we will also go over WSU requirements for travel / health insurance and liability forms that faculty should be requiring of their students on their programs, as well as forms that General Counsel require.
Please plan to attend at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, in 213 Clinton Hall, if you are taking students or teaching for a WSU faculty-led program in 2020 in another country.
Email ann.burger@wichita.edu for more details.
Managers can add Co-Planners in myPerformance
What is a Co-Planner? A Co-Planner is one who has managed a portion of the employee’s work assignment during the performance evaluation period. If there is a dual reporting relationship, both leaders need to have input into the myPerformance employee evaluation. The employee’s manager can use the co-planner input when they are evaluating the employee’s performance and assigning ratings. Co-planners can also perform reviews as though they were the manager who was assigned the performance review task. These are key factors for complete performance evaluations and for employee development.
Managers can add a Co-Planner by following these INSTRUCTIONS:
- Select the employee’s evaluation in myPerformance
- On the drop-down Options Menu, select Add Co-Planners
- Enter the name of the co-planner to search for options, select the co-planner from the list, then select Save
Visit the Wichita State University myPerformance web page for more information.
2020 Form W-4 is available
The 2020 Form W-4 is available. In addition to the instructions included with the form, the IRS has published Frequently Asked Questions. Employees are strongly encouraged to consult with a tax attorney or tax specialist for guidance regarding the completion of the form to best meet the individual’s unique tax situation.
For more information, go to the 2020 Form W4 Explanation page found here.
University Update at Weekly Briefing
Here’s news from Thursday’s University Update at the WSU Weekly Briefing.
WICHITA STATE WELCOMES BUSINESS, EDUCATION LEADERS FROM MEXICO
Earlier this week, delegations from Wichita State, WSU Tech, Wichita business and Chihuahua, Mexico met on campus to continue discussions about innovation, entrepreneurial and applied learning programs.
The groups discussed possible entrepreneurial cooperation between WSU, Wichita’s innovation ecosystem, and Blu Empire – a Chihuahua City investment and business accelerator.
President Jay Golden, WSU Tech President Sheree Utash and other WSU and WSU Tech faculty and staff met with representatives from American industries to explore a potential location in Chihuahua City that might provide certificate and degree programs by WSU/WSU Tech faculty.
The John Bardo Center hosted a delegation of six manufacturing and machining companies from Chihuahua City that are interested in growing their businesses in Kansas. The company representatives toured the 3D Experience Center and GoCreate. The companies are participating in a three-day trade mission and have interest in expanding in Wichita, establishing manufacturing or research & development projects, and partnering with companies that solve industrial problems with engineering solutions.
In early December, a delegation from Wichita State, led by Provost Rick Muma, visited Mexico to tour aerospace facilities, an industrial park and universities and discuss opportunities for Wichita State to bring educational, training and applied learning programs to the area.
TRIO/GEARUP VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME
The Wichita State University Office of Special Programs (OSP), TRIO and GEARUP program staff and students will volunteer at various organizations in the Wichita community this week.
Wichita State’s OSP TRIO/GEAR UP programs provide quality services to more than 5,000 first-generation, limited income, middle, high school, and college students, persons with disabilities, students in foster care, and adults in Wichita and throughout the state of Kansas.
The 2020 National TRIO/GEAR UP Day will be celebrated through service-learning activities at various organizations within the Wichita community. The 11 TRIO / GEAR UP programs, administered by Deltha Q. Colvin, associate vice president of Special Programs, have resided on the WSU campus for more than 45 years, and they are excited to give back to a community that has supported them during this time.
For more information on the Office of Special Programs at Wichita State University go to http://wichita.edu/tgu2020 or contact Dr. Dsouza at 978-6153.
STARTUP GRIND AND DESIGN THINKING
Doug Stucky, WSU Institute of Innovation Instructor, presents “Why You Need Design Thinking” on Feb. 27 at Martin Pringle Law Firm, 645 E. Douglas Ave.
Join the Wichita Startup Community as Stucky, leads the group through an Introduction to Design Thinking and explain how human-centered design exercises will change the way you solve problems.
This is Startup Grind’s first event of 2020. Cost is $10 and registration is available at startupgrind.com.
SIGNING DAY AT WSU TECH
WSU Tech is awarding over $200,000 in scholarships at their fifth-annual National Career Technical Education Signing Day today. Top CEOs and CTE influencers are in attendance, including a keynote address by Nicholas T. Pinchuk, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Snap-on Incorporated. Immediately following the keynote, over 200 local high school seniors will participate in a Signing Ceremony. They will sport WSU Tech hats while signing letters of intent in the presence of their family and friends.
A CHANCE TO CONVERSE
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. 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.
A DISCUSSION OF DIVERSITY AT TILFORD SYMPOSIUM
Wichita State, in accordance with our refreshed strategic plan, is committed to providing engaging conversations and discussions centered on diversity and inclusive excellence.
To that end, WSU is hosting the first Tilford Symposium on Feb. 27-28 at the Rhatigan Student Center.
The event is a tribute to the work started by Dr. Michael Tilford - a former WSU Graduate School Dean who was committed to diversity within higher education. It is also a way of bringing students, community members, faculty, staff and business and industry leaders into an active discussion centered on diversity and inclusive excellence.
The Tilford Symposium is committed to providing a supportive ecosystem in which a variety of stakeholders can discuss how diversity is impacting student, employee, and leadership experiences from all over the state of Kansas.
Registration is available at wichita.edu/services/tilford_commission/symposium.php.
Tilford Symposium welcomes Delia Garcia as one of its keynote speakers
Delia Garcia
The 2020 Tilford Symposium is excited to announce Honorable Delia Garcia as one of its keynote speakers from 2-2:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, in the Shirley Beggs Ballroom, third floor, RSC.
Delía García serves as the Secretary for the Kansas Department of Labor, confirmed by the Senate on May 3, 2019. She returned to Kansas after serving eight years in executive, senior leadership in the national organizations ReflectUS, National Migrant Seasonal Head Start Association, and the National Education Association in Washington, D.C. In 2004, she was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, where she served six years and served on the Commerce and Labor Committee at her request. Delía made Kansas history by becoming the first Latina and the youngest female to serve in the Kansas Legislature in 2004. She is using her business, policy, national management, and advocacy expertise to serve hard-working Kansans and their families.
Delía received her Master’s Degree in Political Science, with an emphasis in Public Administration from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wichita State University. She is also a graduate of the Harvard University Executive Leadership Program, the Aspen Executive Leadership Institute and the Kansas Leadership Center. Delía received numerous recognitions for her leadership and community service, including a permanent exhibition in the State of Kansas Historical Society Museum as the first Latina elected in Kansas.
The Tilford Symposium is open to all faculty, staff, students and community members. Registration is now open, and space is limited.
Participate in a cutting-edge leadership day
“Thinking Strategically in Your Leadership Role” will be offered from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, March 6. Brian Rawson, MBA, will lead the workshop.
Leadership is not management. Most companies are over-managed and under-led. For those who choose to lead, the journey is exciting, rewarding, risky and transformational. his program draws upon some of the world’s greatest leadership minds including Kotter, Bennis, Kaplan, Christensen and Covey as well as case studies from the world’s top business schools. Participants will learn, or re-learn, what it takes to truly make a difference through transformational leadership.
The cost is $399, and a 20% discount is available for WSU faculty, staff and students. Some restrictions apply.
For more information, go to cmd.wichita.edu or register at 316-978-3118.
Higher Education / Student Affairs assistantships at WSU
Interested in graduate assistantships in higher education? Grad Weekend at Wichita State University on March 13-14, is a weekend-long chance to find your perfect assistantship match. Those who attend will have the opportunity to explore WSU’s beautiful campus, meet and interview with Student Affairs staff (and potential employers), ask current graduate assistants about their experiences, and learn more about the graduate assistantships that will be available for the 2020-21 academic year.
Registration is due by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, March 8.
For more information, go to wichita.edu/studentaffairs.
Design for Woolsey Hall is underway
The design for Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall, the new building to house the W. Frank Barton School of Business, is underway! The architectural team, GastingerWalker out of Kansas City & Gensler Chicago, will be back on campus Monday, February 24, to update the campus on the progress of the building.
A town hall meeting for faculty/staff/students is scheduled for 2:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, in 211 Hubbard Hall, to gather feedback about the design for the new building.
Free academic resources are available through TRIO Student Support Services
Student Support Services (SSS) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide free academic services to students from First-Generation (FG) and Limited- Income (LI) backgrounds, as well as students with disabilities.
The free services include individualized tutoring, academic advising, textbook loans, assistance completing financial aid applications, and scholarships exclusively for student participants.
We are located on the third floor of Grace Wilkie Hall, in suite 309. For more information, visit our website or contact our offices at 978-3715.
Tuition Assistance applications for summer 2020 now being accepted
Tuition Assistance applications for summer 2020 are now being accepted through the new Online Application Form. The online application will be available through April 15, and will close at the end of this application period.
Effective for the Summer 2020 term, the fillable PDF form will no longer be accepted.
Due to the volume of applications received each semester, requests to submit late applications will be automatically denied. There will be no exceptions.
Full program details can be found at www.wichita.edu/tuitionassistance.
Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.
SGA presents Woman to Woman Networking, a professional networking event
We invite all women from the Wichita community to join us for a professional networking event from 4:30-6 p.m. Friday, March 6, in the John Bardo Center lobby. Refreshments and conversation starters will be provided. Come get to know fellow women in Wichita and students at WSU.
SLI Squad Leader applications sought
Are you interested in leadership development of yourself and your students? We are calling for five cluster facilitators at the 2020 Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) this year. The five-day event will take place May 18-22.
We will host a few meetings leading up to the event to discuss logistics and preparations for the week. This week is time spent developing yourself as well as mentoring our students through their leadership journey. You’ll be part of community building and leadership exploration both during the institute and when we return to campus.
If you are interested, please fill out the application online.
For any questions, contact Kennedy Rogers at kennedy.rogers@wichita.edu or 978-7402.
Volunteers needed for research study
Study name: Effects of Lower Extremity Blood Flow Restriction Exercise on Strength Generation and Interleukin 6 Levels in the Elderly
Research Topic/Purpose of the study: To determine whether Blood Flow Restriction therapy during moderate exercise by people 55 years of age or older results in improved functional activity and health outcomes. Such findings may provide a new approach to promoting health through moderate exercise.
Procedures: Participants will pedal an exercise bike with or without Blood Flow Restriction therapy for approximately 30-minutes, three times per week over a 12-week period. At the beginning of the study and every two weeks, blood samples will be collected and tested for proteins related to exercise and a 30-second sit-to-stand activity will be performed to assess exercise functional outcomes.
Time: Participation is expected to last about 45 minutes. Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants must be age 55 or older
- No known muscular disorders
- No known neurological disorders
- No known cardiopulmonary disorders
- No use of nicotine products
- Not have diabetes
- Not be in an active exercise program
Location: Wichita State University Heskett Center Cycling Studio
Contact: If you are interested in participating in this study, contact: Dr. Nils Hakansson at nils.hakansson@wichita.edu or call 316-978-5909, Chris Deck, PT, at cdeck@providence.org, or Dr. Heidi Bell at Heidi.bell@wichita.edu.
Kansas Secretary of Labor Delia Garcia is coming to speak on campus
As a keynote for the Student Government Association's Women in the Workplace Week, Kansas Secretary of Labor Delia Garcia will come to campus to speak at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5, in the CAC Theater. Secretary Garcia was elected to serve in the Kansas House of Representatives in 2004, where she became the first Latina and the youngest female to serve in Kansas Legislature. She will be speaking on how she has gotten to where she is and giving advice to those looking to follow in her footsteps
Delia Garcia to speak on campus
2nd Annual Cops for Shocks Food Drive now to March 31
The WSUPD challenges departments all across campus as we did last year to help stock the Shocker Support Locker.
Donations are accepted at the Police Department lobby from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. We will be glad to pick up and deliver for you, or give your donation to any WSUPD officer until March 31.
Donate shelf stable pantry items, baby food and diapers, hygiene products and bottled water.
Avoid canned green beans, corn, high sugar foods and food past the expiration date.
Registration now open for second annual Edible Book Festival
The second annual Edible Book Festival hosted by Wichita State University Libraries is open for registration! To submit your culinary creation or for more information, go to Edible Book Festival.
Baseball Gameday Sale on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
In honor of the first home baseball series, the Shocker Store is having a Gameday Sale this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Take $5 off a $25 purchase in the Eck Stadium store location during games and online at shockerstore.com the whole weekend. Not valid with other discounts. Discount taken on subtotal amount. WSU imprinted items only.
Shocker Baseball Home Run Discount
Save at the Shocker Store with your Shocker Baseball ticket stubs! Each time the Shockers hit a home run in a home game, bring your ticket stub to the Shocker Store (Braeburn Square location) the next day and receive 10% off one WSU imprinted item, up to 30% off for 3 or more home runs. May not be combined with any other discount or promotion. Some exclusions apply.
Hit those home runs, Shockers!
95-cent birthday cones at Freddy's
We're celebrating Freddy's birthday with 95-cent cones at Freddy's in the RSC now through Wednesday, Feb. 26.