10 holiday air travel tips during COVID-19
With holiday travel season on the horizon, a just-released annual forecast from Dean Headley, co-author of the Airline Quality Rating and associate professor emeritus at Wichita State University, offers new insights into making travel plans in these extraordinary times.
TRIO DSS is accepting student applications for the 2020-21 Academic school year
WSU's TRIO Disability Support Services (DSS) Program is excited to enroll students with disabilities for this academic school year. They offer numerous free services such as academic advising, career development, study skills assistance, financial literacy assistance, tutoring, and more. Many DSS graduates cite DSS as a critical program on campus that provided the support, university connections, and resources necessary for their success.
I will apply what I have learned through TRIO DSS to the next chapter of my life - completing a Master's Degree! I am really thankful for the relationships that I have formed through TRIO DSS and look forward to what new challenges there are to conquer in my near future.
-Tiffany H.
My Advisor believed in me when everyone wrote me off. That kind of belief and caring is so strong, it turned a college dropout into a student with a WSU GPA of 3.8 who is going to graduate in a month. I was able to get my first all “A” semester last fall because of their encouragement. Without my advisor’s support, I do not think I would be graduating at all.
-Ben L.
For more information, or to apply, go to www.wichita.edu/dss or call 978-5949. TRIO DSS is located in 158 Grace Wilkie Annex.
The Strategic Planning Committee invites you to the Fall 2020 Town Hall
The Strategic Plan Town Hall will be held via livestream from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.
This university-wide event will be dedicated to updating the faculty, students, staff, alumni, university partners and the Shocker community. Join moderator Aleks Sternfeld-Dunn, WSU Faculty Senate President, as he welcomes President Jay Golden & Executive Vice President and Provost Rick Muma for remarks.
Assistant Vice President for Assessment, Accreditation and Strategic Planning Kaye Monk-Morgan will make a presentation of the Wichita State University Strategic Plan with freshly updated 2020 content.
For more information, contact the Strategic Planning Committee at strategicplanning@wichita.edu.
This year’s Town Hall will be livestreamed. Please click on the following link to attend virtually. Click here.
Please note that this event requires access to a computer/laptop/tablet with access a web browser and sound.
EFC sponsors 3rd Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival
WSU Environmental Finance Center is proud to sponsor the 3rd annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival produced by Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS). Join live on Saturday, Oct. 3 from the comfort of your couch for this year's virtual film festival! The festival will stream a lineup of films to immerse you in the ebbs and flows of our natural world. Tickets are $10, and all proceeds support KAWS’ work on the Arkansas River.
This year’s festival will take you on a journey in the wild to explore:
- One group's creative way to bring awareness to the global issue of plastics in our oceans.
- The mysterious other world just below the surface of our rivers.
- The scenic places both close and far from home through the film, "Wild Toddler Chronicles."
- Spots of refuge in our nature system through the kick-off film, “Sanctuary.”
Sign up today for the Pumpkin Run
Hello runners and walkers from around the world!
The race this year is different – we are going virtual! With the hopes to reunite in person next year.
What are the positive outcomes of running with us virtually? You pick the day that you feel the best to run between Saturday, Oct. 10-24. No worrying about parking, weather, or if you brought your headphones. No matter where you are, US, Asia, Canada, Australia, you can still participate in our race.
As a Pumpkin Run participant, you will receive a customized T-shirt, special edition face mask (pick from three designs), and a finisher medal.
NEW this year: We have launched a referral program. Invite friends to run with you using your personalized link/code. When five or more friends have registered with your code, you will get $15 off your registration. That means that your registration is just $10! We will reward you with a fabulous registration price and maybe even something special in your packet.
Sign up today at bit.ly/pumpkinrun5k.
Ability Ally Training is now online!
Ability Allies are a network of faculty, staff, and students who take a visible role in promoting disability awareness, supporting persons with disabilities, and maintaining resources for working and interacting with people with disabilities. This Diversity in Action interactive training is designed to shape your perspective on ability versus disability and providing an open forum for questions and concerns for those interacting with individuals with disabilities.
For more information about the Diversity in Action Program, go to www.wichita.edu/DiversityInAction.
This training is free and available to all WSU employees (faculty, staff, and student employees). Log in to myWSU and register through myTraining. For questions, contact myTraining@wichita.edu.
Discover in-depth election and voting info online with University Libraries
University Libraries' political science subject specialist has put together a one-stop online location for all election and voting info! Discover academic articles, sample ballots, in-depth analysis resources, and more before November at Election 2020.
Savvy Scholar Workshops strengthen Shocker research
Savvy Scholar Workshops continue with more ways to strengthen Shocker research! Register for free and/or discover the full schedule at Savvy Scholar.
Diversity in Politics Roundtable Discussion presented by the Shocker Vote! Coalition
The Shockers Vote! Coalition is back for its second roundtable discussion. This month we are focusing on Diversity in Politics at 5:30 p.m. today (Thursday, Sept. 17).
Our panel will discuss the critical topic of diversity in our local politics. This is an issue that we know our students care deeply about, so we want to provide students an opportunity to hear from local leaders on this topic.
The panel will be moderated by Student Body Vice President Mackenzie Haas and SGA Director of Public Relations David Garcia.
Join WWSU for Virtual Happy Hour + Scattergories today
The Women of Wichita State University’s Virtual Happy Hour will be at 7 p.m. today (Thursday, Sept. 17)! Grab a drink of your choice and cozy up to the computer for a fun game of Scattergories. WWSU members may bring a guest and will receive the Zoom link via email.
Not a member yet? There is still time to join. Annual membership is only $12, which is used to support scholarships for Wichita State students. Go to www.wichita.edu/WWSU for more information.
What is consent?
Join Counseling and Prevention Services and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to continue the discussion on what consent really is! This digital panel is at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18.
Please register prior to the event at wichita.edu/odievents.
Our panelists will discuss the resources available to students at Wichita State University. This is an opportunity to ask anonymous questions around consent and learning about the importance of consent. We have a great lineup of panelists who will be part of this virtual panel. Hear from the following panelists:
Meredith Osborne, Campus Advocate, Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center (WASAC),
Ashlyn Riley, Student Services Coordinator, and
Sara Zafar, Title IX Coordinator.
This panel will be moderated by Dr. Selena Jackson.
For questions, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034, diversity@wichita.edu, or go to wichita.edu/odi.
Register by Sept. 18 for Shocker Paint Night
Whether you are the next Picasso or if you have never touched a paint brush in your life, anyone can paint a masterpiece. (Van) Gogh have a wonderful time creating Shocker-themed pieces of art with the Student Activities Council during this virtual, step-by-step tutorial.
Register online by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, to receive a supply kit for the class; $10 for WSU students with Shocker ID and $20 for families and the general public.
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/SAC or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu.
Sponsored by the Student Activities Council.
Managers of USS and Non-Teaching UP employees - It’s mid-review time!
myPerformance evaluations for USS and Non-Teaching UP employees are still available to you for 2020-2021 mid-review. Managers should update expectations, competencies, and goals for the 2020-2021 review period, then meet with their employees to review. Don’t forget to provide them a hard copy of their evaluation for reference throughout the year! Mid-Review should be completed by September 30, 2020 at 11:59 PM.
For more information (including quick reference guides and other assistance) go to www.wichita.edu/myPerformance
Helpful Hints:
- Your direct reports will not be able to access their 2020-2021 myPerformance evaluation until the Employee Self-Evaluation step beginning January 16, 2021, which is why you should provide a hard copy of their 2020-2021 review and review it with them!
- Managers have access to update and edit their direct reports myPerformance evaluations as many times as they would like until Employee Self-Evaluation time beginning January 16, 2021!
- Save then SUBMIT! Make sure to SUBMIT after saving every time you update a myPerformance evaluation! Your direct reports will not be able to see the information and you will still have access to their evaluation until January 16, 2021 even after selecting SUBMIT.
- Need a copy of a past performance evaluation? Check the box that says, “Show completed and expired tasks”, then “Search”! Save it as a PDF or print as needed.
- myPerformance Training is available as an online module through myTraining and includes a condensed “myTraining for Managers” version.
Telling the story of African American entrepreneurs
Robert E. Weems, Jr., Willard W. Garvey Distinguished Professor of Business History, is working on a project involving African American entrepreneurs. Weems interviewed several African American business owners from the Wichita area about their experiences owning a business. These interviews were recorded, and transcripts created. The digitized oral histories and transcripts are available through the Special Collections digital collections.
Philosophy professor publishes on Perry Mason and Della Street
Noell Birondo published "What about Della Street?" in the new book, “Perry Mason and Philosophy: The Case of the Awesome Attorney.”
The book is the newest in the Popular Culture and Philosophy series and follows on the heels of the just-completed HBO Perry Mason mini-series starring Matthew Rhys and John Lithgow. In the 1950s the Perry Mason TV show had a phenomenal success, and the original novels by Erle Stanley Gardner continue to sell thousands of copies each week.
How should small business owners market during COVID-19?
Is your target audience listening to your business instead of the competition? This webinar will discuss best practices for small business online marketing and provide information on consumer behavior during COVID-19.
Register for this no-cost webinar from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at www.wichita.edu/ksbdcworkshops
Start your business in 10 steps webinar
Are you interested in starting a business, but have no idea how to get started? This webinar will cover the 10 steps to start your business. Learn about licenses and permits, federal and state tax IDs, business structure, funding, marketing and other essentials.
Register for this no-cost webinar from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at www.wichita.edu/ksbdcworkshops.
Commemorative 125th anniversary name badges
Do you routinely wear a name badge? If so, you can show your pride in WSU’s rich history by wearing a 125th anniversary name badge as you move around representing your organization, department and Wichita State.
Order yours today by visiting the RSC Engraving Shop in the lower level of the Rhatigan Student Center or email us at rsc.engraving@wichita.edu.
Now accepting fall 2020 I-Corps applications
Wichita State University is a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps site. The Shocker Innovation Corps nurtures and supports Wichita State entrepreneurial teams interested in accelerating their STEM ideas, research, and product commercialization. Ideas / projects can originate from student or faculty work, research and institutional/industrial projects.
Are you ready to vote?
Your vote makes all the difference in the world! Be sure you are registered to vote. Get started today by visiting wichita.turbovote.org to register here in Kansas or back in your hometown.
Sign up today to receive election reminders, get registered to vote, and apply for your absentee ballot. Let's show them that #shockersvote.
Questions? Contact gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu for more information.
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, by celebrating the histories, culture, and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, and South America. In addition, the heritage month honors five of our Central American neighbors who celebrate their independence in September.
Learn more about this cultural month at http://wichita.edu/odievents.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Registration open for third annual 3MT competition
It's time for the third annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition at Wichita State. This year's event will be virtual. The website has been updated to assist students with the new format. Please encourage graduate students to participate in this world-wide event, which is part of the Graduate School's Professional Development Series.
There are many benefits with participating in this event, including the more obvious benefit of working on soft skills, that is targeted with the oral presentation. There is also tremendous benefit in honing the ability to distill a research elevator pitch. As the name suggests, they only have three minutes to summarize their research. Participants have until Oct. 5 to sign up, and those who register will need to submit their videos by Oct. 26.