$2.8 million grant allows WSU to continue to lead NASA in Kansas efforts
For the fourth consecutive time, the Wichita State College of Engineering’s NASA in Kansas program has secured a multi-year, multi-million-dollar grant. NASA in Kansas is a consortium of universities and science museums that conduct research and outreach activity in support of NASA. The latest four-year award is for $2.8 million.
Some version of the NASA in Kansas program has existed since 1991. WSU became the lead institution in 2007. Other members of the consortium include: Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Haskell Indian Nations University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, University of Kansas, Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center and Exploration Place.
“Together we favorably impact lots of students, faculty, NASA and the state of Kansas,” said Dr. Scott Miller, director of the NASA in Kansas program and chair of WSU’s aerospace engineering department.
Pictured above: Linda Harl, an aerospace engineering junior, manages the Aerospace Projects and Prototyping Lab in John Bardo Center, paid by the NASA in Kansas Jump Start program.
SHS director brings 40 years of nursing wisdom to WSU's COVID-19 response
Camille Childers never thought she’d be leading the charge in Wichita State University’s battle against a pandemic. Nevertheless, she had a plan.
“I don't think anyone ever really thinks that they're going to do that. Part of my role as the director for student services is to chair that health risk assessment team, and we are the keepers of the pandemic planning team,” said Childers, director of Student Health Services at Wichita State. “You plan for these things, but you hope it never happens. This has definitely been a learning experience.”
Childers said the university has had plans for health emergencies since she started in her current role in 2012, but Wichita State has never come close to needing to use it. There have been a couple of tuberculosis cases and a few folks with measles who needed to be isolated, but nothing to the extent of the COVID-19 crisis.
Get your Blackboard classes ready for summer and fall with IDA’s help
Instructional Design and Access is offering hands-on workshops to help instructors prepare for online/remote delivery of their course content for this summer and fall. Workshops are scheduled May 12-14 and May 19-21, and run for three hours each. Instructors are invited to sign up through MyTraining. All workshops will be offered through Zoom and have no in-person attendance requirement. There are three workshops to choose from:
*"Remote/Online Instructor: First Steps" is designed for instructors who have never used Blackboard and/or Zoom in a significant way.
*"Remote/Online instructor: Intermediate Steps" is designed for instructors who have used (or have been trained in) Blackboard and/or Zoom some, and are now ready to master more tools and learn how to troubleshoot problems.
*"Remote/Online Instructor: Course Building" is for instructors who would like to work on building their courses while an instructional designer is “nearby” to help. Instructors signing up for the Course Building workshop will be given a Blackboard course template to help get them started.
If you can’t attend workshops next week, don’t worry! These will be offered throughout the summer as well as part of our summer-long "Academic Resources Conference" training events.
If you have any questions about these workshops or want to request specific trainings to be added to the Academic Resources Conference, please reach out to Instructional Design and Access at IDA@wichita.edu.
Department of Education releases final Title IX regulations
The U.S. Department of Education released the long-anticipated Title IX regulations on May 6, 2020. The new regulations are expected to into effect August 14, 2020. The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance is working diligently to ensure our policies and procedures align with the new federal regulations and Kansas law.
OIEC recognizes this time of change and uncertainty, and remains committed to its mission. Wichita State University will continue to provide a high level of service and resources to stop, prevent, and remedy sexual violence, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking, as well as other forms of sex/gender discrimination.
Please contact OIEC at oiec@wichita.edu with questions.
GoCreate member launches a Campaign in Response to COVID-19
Stella Hankins
GoCreate member Stella Hankins has been making use of the GoCreate facility to make face masks for hospitals, nursing homes, and more to help combat the spread of COVID-19. Not only is Hankins helping prevent a mask shortage in the Wichita area, she is also providing women in recovery temporary jobs of sewing face masks. She launched Project Protect ICT on Facebook to gather the Wichita community to help with this cause.
Hankins is a recipient of GoCreate's membership assistance, funded by Koch, which helped make all of this possible. She has been featured in the Koch Newsroom article linked here. This story is a great example of how the GoCreate facility has been used as a positive resource in response to the changes our community is currently facing.
Invitation Extended by Councilman Brandon Johnson, Wichita City Council, District 1
Attention Shockers!
Do you want to add your voice to conversations about community development happening both near and around our campus?!
Do you know what Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are and how they can help support the needs of WSU’s students, faculty, staff and neighbors?
Do you believe that it is important for those who live, work, or play in the community to have a voice in what happens there?
During the next six weeks, a committed group of community residents will host Virtual CBA Focus Groups to discuss all these questions and more.
Sign up today to participate and have your voice be heard!
Faculty Senate meeting today
The Faculty Senate meeting will be held via Zoom at 3:30 p.m. today (Monday, May 11). The senators have been sent the meeting information. If you are interested in joining the meeting, please email Lee Ann Birdwell for the details.
Graduating and still looking for a job? Meet up with the Career Development Center
Join the Career Development Center at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, May 12) for this exclusive virtual program to help you find a job.
At this meet-up, we will discuss:
- WSU resources available to you, and how to access them
- Networking and staying connected with industry
- Professional skill development via LinkedIn Learning (we are offering three months of LinkedIn Learning FREE to those who attend this workshop.)
Our goal is to continue to support you through your job search and work with you one-on-one to meet you where you are in the process, and increase your opportunity to find a position within your area of interest.
You must register for this workshop through Zoom.
Register for the virtual Q&A drop-in sessions with the Career Development Center
Have questions about resumes and interviews? Need help navigating Handshake? Need more info on the services we offer? All of these questions (and more) can be answered in this virtual weekly chat with the Career Development Center.
Take a look at our events page and register for a Q&A session that fits your schedule, and come talk with us via Zoom during the scheduled times. Be sure to register first!
This week's Virtual Q&A Drop-in Sessions:
1-2 p.m. Tuesday, May 12
9-10 a.m. Thursday, May 14
10-11 a.m. Thursday, May 14
CAREERS & the disABLED Virtual Career Fair - May 13
Employers are hiring for full-time and internships for people with disabilities including veterans. Hosted by Careers for the disABLED magazine's Career Expo from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 13.
Register for the career fair to chat with representatives from organizations such as:
- Capital One
- Department of Justice
- Department of Justice, Criminal Division
- Gartner
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
- Leidos
- National Credit Union Administration
- PPL Corporation
- U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
- US Environmental Protection Agency
- World Bank Group
CAREERS and the disABLED Virtual Career Fair
You are invited to attend the LinkedIn: Power of Your Profile Workshop tomorrow
For many, LinkedIn is the social media equivalent of an awkward networking event. However, 98% of recruiters and 85% of hiring managers use LinkedIn to find candidates. For students, this can be a brilliant way to begin building your network. If you don't know how to use LinkedIn or have never even considered it, come to this workshop where you'll learn how to craft a stellar profile, build a valuable network, and leverage both to your best advantage.
**Prize drawing for all who attend! The winner will receive a six-month LinkedIn premium account!**
Students must register through Zoom to attend.
The Career Development Center invites you to attend this workshop at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, May 12). It is hosted by Eric Rauber, Higher Education Learning Consultant at LinkedIn Learning.
Join Student Health Services for the next Tuesday Talks tomorrow
For the next Tuesday Talks on May 12, join Judy Gariepy, APRN, and nurse Heather to learn stretching techniques for working from home. Tune into Facebook Live at 2 p.m. to learn more. Visit our YouTube channel to see the previous Tuesday Talks.
Supervisor Training required in accordance with Shockers United before May 14
Supervisor Training is required for all those supervising employees before Thursday, May 14. Here’s information and resources for staffing and supervising your department employees in accordance with Shockers United.
Our priority has always been – and remains – the health, safety, and well-being of our entire campus community. With that firmly in mind as we plan to gradually – and safely – increase employee presence on campus over the coming weeks, we want to ensure those who supervise employees have the information and resources to do so in a safe manner.
While the Shockers United plan to phase back to campus is already underway, this does not mean all employees will be expected to return to campus on Tuesday, May 26. We understand that each department’s needs, business hours and remote work schedule may look different depending on the demands of the department and the needs of the employees in that department. As a supervisor, you are expected to assess your department and operational needs, and balance those with the health and safety of your employees.
When on campus, there will be a strong emphasis on each person taking personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from coronavirus infection. That means daily wellness self-checks, social distancing, limited congregation, wearing face coverings (or masks as appropriate), disinfecting spaces and limiting non-essential travel. You will need to encourage your employees to adhere to these expectations for the well-being of everyone in the WSU community.
Every supervisor should complete the online supervisor training, Expectations for Supervising Those Working on Campus, before Thursday, May 14. A training for employees will be communicated and launched on Friday, May 15.
Participants sought for undergraduate research, please share with your students
I am recruiting study participants for my Experiences with Language and Schooling
Research Project. This is undergraduate research. Upon completion of the interview,
they will also be able to enter a drawing for a $50 gift card. Please help by sharing the following information to your classes:
Experiences with Spanish and Schooling Research Project
Would you like the chance to win a $50 gift card?
Participate in our study. Interviews will last about 60 minutes and will be conducted to examine the school experiences of students from Spanish speaking backgrounds in terms of language and identity. To participate you must be 18 years or older and have attended a U.S. public school at some point in your academic career. We are looking for Hispanic participants from Spanish-speaking backgrounds, whether you speak Spanish yourself or were just raised in a Spanish-speaking environment. All responses will be confidential.
If you are interested, contact cizacarias@shockers.wichita.edu or jennifer.pearson@wichita.edu for more information.
Student association awarded 2020 Bronze Chapter Honors
Congratulations to the Wichita State University Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (WSUSSLHA) for receiving the Bronze Chapter Honors from the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA)! This is WSUSSLHA’s second consecutive year receiving this award.
WSUSSLHA received this award due to their outstanding efforts to support NSSLHA’s mission to inspire, empower, and support students in communication sciences and disorders programs.
Shayna Charles, President
Rayven Ray, Vice President
Esmeralda Paez, Treasurer
Megan Maupin, Secretary
Casey Meyer, NSSLHA Chair
Zoe Urban, Undergraduate Representative
Mackenzie David, Social Chair
Academic faculty advisor: Karissa Marble-Flint
Clinical faculty advisor: Terese Conrad
Congratulations on retirement to Marla Lindenmeyer in Human Performance Studies
We wish to recognize Marla Lindenmeyer and her many years of service to the Department of Human Performance Studies, College of Applied Studies, Wichita State University, and Wichita Public Schools USD 259. Her passion for teaching and contributing to the physical education profession will provide a legacy for many years. We are deeply grateful for her commitment to the physical education students who have gone to become leaders and mentors in education. Thank you for your service and leadership in the physical education program. Enjoy your retirement!
Marla’s last day at WSU is May 16. The Human Performance Studies Department is accepting congratulatory cards, and we will ensure they are delivered to her. Please send cards to:
Marla Lindenmeyer
Department of Human Performance Studies
Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount, Box 16
Wichita, KS 67260
JoVE Science Library streaming free for WSU students and faculty
Find innovative instructional streaming collections at JoVE Science Library! Through University Libraries, WSU faculty and students have free access to JoVE through June 15. This online resource has videos on a variety of STEM subjects. More information is available here.
F45 workouts streaming 24/7
Visit F45challenge.com for F45 workouts streaming 24/7! This is a free service right now, and all you need to do is create an account via the challenge website. Once inside, simply click 'Workout at Home.' This is a limited-time offer, so take advantage of it while you can, and get the sweat and fitness of F45 in your home.
Shocker Celebration Sale
We know graduation may look different this year, but you may be looking for gifts to honor a graduating Shocker! The Shocker Store is hosting a Shocker Celebration Sale online at shockerstore.com from now to Saturday, May 16. You can save up to 25% off select alumni and graduation merchandise. Sale may not be combined with other discounts or promotions.
Care Team has published its May newsletter
Though social distancing measures have been necessary and effective tools for slowing the spread of COVID-19 and preventing the number of cases from exceeding the capacity of our healthcare system, those same measures have had a negative impact on our community’s mental health.
Student Ambassador Society to award scholarship to current Wichita State student
The Student Ambassador Society will award the Amie Montgomery Scholarship of $500 to one current Wichita State student. Amie had a tremendous impact on the lives of other students who knew her during her time as a student at Wichita State University and as a student ambassador.
To find additional requirements and apply for the scholarship, visit www.Wichita.edu/SASscholarship. The deadline for the 2020-2021 school year is 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 13.
Meet a Shocker: Vinay K. Kadarla, Ph.D. in Chemistry
Vinay K. Kadarla is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring/summer 2020 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.
Meet a Shocker: Bush Vo, Bachelor of Business in accounting
Bush Vo was drawn the Wichita State University by the reputation of the Barton School of Business, and he has been able to leverage the school’s resources to create opportunities for himself.
Bush is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring/summer 2020 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.
2020 Mark and Stacy Parkinson Scholarship recipient announced
Wichita State University is proud to recognize Irene Campos as the winner of the 2020 Mark and Stacy Parkinson Scholarship, which awards incoming freshmen $34,000 over four years.
Founded by Mark, former governor of Kansas, and Stacy Parkinson in 2019, the scholarship awards funds to first-generation immigrant students in Kansas to help offset the cost of their college education.
According to the scholarship guidelines, the Parkinsons welcome and respect all immigrants and refugees. They believe that immigrants are the heritage and fabric of our country and are committed to the idea that people with differing thoughts, cultures and experiences make our communities vibrant and robust.