Message concerning unemployment insurance fraud from Kansas Department of Labor
To Kansas State Employees:
Our state finds itself in challenging times as we respond to COVID-19 and deal with its subsequent impact on our families, friends and communities. Unfortunately, Kansas has joined every other state that is seeing a historic increase in reports of fraudulent unemployment claims due to identity theft, and it may directly affect you.
How big is this issue? To date the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has stopped over 100,000 of these fraudulent claims and this number continues to grow. Nationally, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General estimates that this type of fraud has already cost taxpayers $8 billion to date, but this could ultimately climb as high as $26 billion.
Many fraudulent claims use the names and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of people who have not lost their jobs. Most people impacted do not know they have been a victim of identity theft until they receive a letter from KDOL letting them know that they have filed a claim. For public employees it is especially problematic because so much of our information is often more accessible to the public than our peers in the private sector.
If you receive an illegitimate unemployment claim from KDOL, please take action immediately by reporting it at www.ReportFraud.ks.gov. When you report a suspected identity theft claim on our site, the system will generate a police report number and tips for victims to use to help mitigate the damage from the theft. In addition, we are able to stop processing the claim for payment.
Reporting an instance of identity theft to KDOL is not a replacement for taking additional steps to protect an individual’s personal information, such as notifying financial institutions or credit bureaus. For more information, please access the Report Fraud site.
We want to ensure that each of you is aware of this issue. For our part, we have doubled the size of our fraud department, we have deployed new digital security measures and are working with our federal partners to stop this crime and hold those responsible accountable. However, we need your help to combat the growing threat from identity theft. Together, we can stop this growing problem before it gets worse.
Thank you,
Ryan Wright Acting Secretary
Kansas Department of Labor
Town Hall features Convergence Sciences Initiative awardees today
Teams from the awarded Convergence Sciences Initiative proposals will give 10-minute presentations featuring their projects at 3 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 23).
The presentations, which will be held via Zoom, will allow each team to further explain the intended outcomes of the projects, including plans for external funding.
“All four projects have the potential to be gamechangers in the direction and intensity of research at Wichita State, and in social and economic impact in the region,” said Dr. Andrew Hippisley, dean of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “The projects showcase the power of partnerships, the value of combining expertise, and the courage to take risks in pursuing ambitious problems that can only be solved by converging disciplines.”
To register for the event and to receive Zoom meeting information, click here.
Groundbreaking celebrates Woolsey Hall, new home of the Wichita State business school
Alumni, donors and officials from Wichita State University gathered Thursday, Oct. 22 for a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall, the new home for the W. Frank Barton School of Business.
In a statement, Barton School Dean Larisa Genin told students the facility will be a place “where you will explore your full potential and ambitions.”
“Whether it’s launching a career, starting your own business or working to solve problems in our world, Woolsey Hall will be your lab, your sandbox, your incubator, your oyster to create amazing pearls. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish,” Genin said.
Woolsey Hall, named for the Wichita couple who provided the lead gift to the WSU Foundation’s fundraising campaign, will be located on the Innovation Campus. When completed in mid-2022, the business school will move to the new building from Clinton Hall, which has been its home since 1970.
Pictured above: Wichita State University celebrates the groundbreaking for the new Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall on the Innovation Campus. The building will be the new home to the W. Frank Barton School of Business.
Students and faculty - get up to $20,000 from the John A. See Innovation Award
The John A. See Innovation Award is to be applied directly to advancing the technology. Ideally, this will support additional investment by others. Examples of supported costs are prototype development, product testing, and marketing analysis. The award cannot be used for faculty salaries but may be used to pay for external consulting fees. Awards typically range from $1,000 to $20,000.
See something, say something – student conduct
As members of the Wichita State community, it is everyone’s responsibility to bring attention to anything that may be concerning. This could be about yourself or others that you feel is connected to the Wichita State University experience.
This form should be used to report behavior that is disruptive to the campus community, infringes on any person’s ability to successfully pursue their academic progress, violates the Student Code of Conduct, or puts others or themselves in danger.
For more details, please refer to Wichita.edu/reportit.
F1RST-GEN FRIDAY
F1RST-GEN T-SHIRTS: $12 tees – Both First Gen Shockers & First Gen Supporters, available online or visit the Shocker Store now.
F1RST-GEN ART SHOWCASE: Opened Oct. 22: Identity: A First-Generation Student Art Exhibition.
F1RST-GEN WEEK
Click here for events being held Nov. 2-8 in celebration of National F1rst-Gen Week at Wichita State University.
F1RST-GEN AFFINITY GROUP
A group designed to stress a common experience among those navigating as a first-generation professional. The First-Generation Affinity Group seeks to foster community among its members by way of networking, professional development, and social events. To register for a virtual event being held on Nov. 10, click here.
F1RST-GEN COORDINATING COUNCIL
The council is interested in YOUR HELP. If you are interested in supporting the first-gen initiatives at Wichita State University, the council is now seeking sub-committee members for the following committees: Marketing, Faculty & Staff Engagement, Data Assessment, and the Graduates.
WuShock Doc to premiere on YouTube today
Did you happen to miss "WuShock Doc: The History and Making of WuShock in Bronze" as it premiered via the Tallgrass Film Festival last weekend? Don't worry! WuShock Doc will be premiering on YouTube at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and will be available for your viewing pleasure from then on. Grab a Shocker buddy and free up 20 minutes of your time to enjoy this one-of-a-kind film and mascot!
TRIO DSS supports students with disabilities - applications open!
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.
Quotes from DSS graduates and more information
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.
SBA webinars teach you how to get the most for your business
The Kansas SBDC will present the following no-cost webinars:
Is Your Company Ready to Achieve SBA's 8(a)/BD Program Certification?
9 a.m.-10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30
Join Teri Taylor with the Small Business Administration for an in-depth discussion about the SBA 8(a)/BD certification program requirements. This program is designed to assist socially and economically disadvantaged firms in their attempts to grow and succeed, including potential access to government contracting.
Located in a HUBZone — Get Certified!
10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30
Join Teri Taylor with the Small Business Administration for an in-depth discussion about the HUBZone program requirements. If your principal office is located within a HUBZone, the SBA's HUBZone certification program may benefit your company in seeking Federal contracts or subcontracting efforts.
You can register online.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Office of Research is partnering with Hanover Research to provide faculty workshops
The WSU Office of Research is partnering with Hanover Research to provide workshops for faculty interested in developing their grant-writing and research skills.
Hanover Research Workshops: Oct. 30, 2020 and Jan. 22, 2021
Wichita State University is partnering with Hanover Research to provide faculty with three webinars designed to increase your grant-writing success and research competitiveness. These webinars build upon our in-house workshop series, and attendance therefore requires participation in one or more previous WSU Office of Research workshops, such as one of those offered on October 2, or prior approval from Fran Cook, Training Manager. If there is sufficient need, an additional WSU workshop will be added prior to the Hanover webinars.
Grants for Clinical & Health Sciences Faculty Webinar – 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Oct. 30, An overview of agencies and opportunities specific to health sciences / clinical faculty (e.g. NIH, HRSA, PCORI), followed by a grant consultant panel with expertise in this area.
Building Your Research Career Webinar – 1:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Topics will include an overview of research opportunities for new and mid-career faculty, how to get back into research after a pause, incremental funding strategies, and program officer outreach.
Good vs Fundable Proposals Webinar – 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. This training will explore the difference between a good project and a fundable one, with particular emphasis on how to speak to funders’ expectations around innovation. A panel of grant consultants from a range of backgrounds will follow.
Faculty Consultations - Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 - If you register and attend one or more of the Hanover webinars on Oct. 30 or Jan. 22, you will have a chance to receive a one-on-one consultation with a grant consultant expert from Hanover Research who specializes in your area of research. Only eight slots are available and faculty (or groups of faculty with similar interests) must provide a white paper in advance of the Faculty Consultation to be considered for this opportunity.
Email proposals@wichita.edu to Register for Hanover Workshops.
What can you do with a degree from Industrial, Systems, and Manufacturing Engineering?
If you are a student with an undecided major, a student currently pursuing a degree from the ISME Department, or simply just curious about the fields of Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering, this Friday's ISME Industry Professional Panel is for you! Panelists Courtney Allen, Amber Droegemeier, and Clovis Ribas will discuss their background and careers and answer any questions the audience may have in this panel session. Join us via Zoom at 3 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 23).
Hear from three different industry professionals in three unique fields, with three different focuses. This session will provide a small glimpse of the possibilities that a degree from the ISME Department provides.
Industry Professional Panelist Bios:
Courtney Allen is an Industrial Engineer at Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas. She received both her bachelors and master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering from Wichita State University and will attend Georgia Tech in 2021 for an additional master’s degree in Computational Analytics.
Courtney has worked in various roles at Spirit including lean manufacturing and core industrial engineering, spanning many integrated product teams and production lines. Her projects have touched several aspects of industrial engineering including data analytics, simulation, system design, database development, statistical process control, work measurement, root cause corrective action, and lean manufacturing. Outside of the industry, she is passionate about women in STEM and continuous education.
Amber Droegemeier received her Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science from Wichita State University in 2007 and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Wichita State University in 2010. After graduation, she served as an acute care physical therapy for five and a half years at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals in Wichita. In 2016 Amber transitioned to serve as a Quality and Regulatory Readiness Coordinator and successfully led Joint Commission Accreditation across Ascension Kansas.
In October 2018 Droegemeier received her Certification in Healthcare Quality. She has served as the Manager of Quality and was promoted to Regional Director of Quality in November 2019. Using her skills as a clinician, she oversees data measurement, reporting and process improvement activities related to quality and patient safety initiatives.
Mr. Clovis S. Ribas is the president and general manager of Shuttle Aerospace Inc., a Wichita-based company specialized in design consulting and manufacturing solutions for the aircraft industry, more specifically Landing Gear and related systems and components.
Ribas has many years of experience in management, design, manufacturing and integration of aircraft systems and components in multiple commercial and military platforms. He has a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil, a MSc degree in Aerospace Engineering from Cranfield Institute of Technology in England and an MBA degree from WSU. He is also a graduate student in Industrial, Systems and Manufacturing Engineering at WSU. His interests include applied statistics, especially SPC methods for short run production environment and additive manufacturing (LinkedIn profile).
Global Village Assembly at WSU today
Global Village Assembly: Open Mic zoom event will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. It will be an intersectional sharing of idea using words, poems, music and other media of your choice. The topic will be “Vision for Leadership” personal, groups, community etc.)
The event is organized by Women’s Studies & Ethnic Studies, and sponsored by the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Office of Diversity & Inclusion.
Zoom information
Join here from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android.
Password: 129377, or iPhone one-tap :
Want to do a test call? Go to https://wichitastate.zoom.us/test.
Come join us for a Halloween Dog Walk for local rescues!
A group of Wichita State students are putting on a Halloween Walk for your dog from 2-4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 24, at Harrison Park. All proceeds from this event will be donated to three local rescues, Beauties and Beasts, Hope in the Valley, and Save the Kitties.
Bring your dog in costume for a chance to win great prizes. There’s a cover charge to enter. There will be homemade dog treats available for purchase. All proceeds from the dog treats will be donated.
Come join as for a fun afternoon with your dog!
Learn the ins and outs of managing your own finances
The Kansas SBDC will present the following webinars:
“QuickBooks Online: The Basics,” will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. The cost is $119, and the registration fee is nonrefundable.
Learn how to use the go-to cloud-based accounting software to help manage your company's finances. This workshop will cover the basics of bookkeeping, how to set up your QuickBooks Online account, how to record common transactions, and how to analyze your company's performance.
Presenter Heather Denning is a Certified Quickbooks Online ProAdvisor, alumni of Wichita State University, and local business owner.
“QuickBooks Online: The Details,” will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. The cost is $119, and the registration fee is nonrefundable.
Learn to make the most of this cloud-based accounting software to help you manage your company's finances more efficiently. This workshop will cover more complex bookkeeping functions such as payroll, invoicing, inventory management, sales tax, etc. Also, learn about the numerous programs created to assist with these functions that integrate with QuickBooks Online.
Presenter Heather Denning is a Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, alumni of Wichita State University, and a local business owner.
Register online at KSBDC workshops.
We look forward to seeing you there!
‘Artemis and Beyond’ space event goes all-virtual
As a safety measure in these times, the 2020 annual Galaxy Forum on Aug. 24 will go all-virtual.
Originally planned to be a hybrid event at the Cosmosphere, this year one can instead access the Galaxy Forum "Artemis and Beyond" on the Ad Astra Kansas Foundation Facebook page from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.
The online talks for the public are by science professionals working on NASA's Artemis Program to return humans to the moon by 2024. There will be added looks at the moon itself and at the next rock on our bucket list -- Mars. Also on board is an interstellar look at a robotic mission to exo-planet Proxima b.
A featured speaker is Wichita State University alumnus Michael Staab, who is currently working on the Artemis program for Northrup Grumman. He is also a Cosmosphere Camp and educator alum.
This event is hosted by the Ad Astra Kansas Foundation in cooperation with the Cosmosphere.
The Ad Astra Kansas Foundation is a 501c3 organization focused on promoting STEM education in Kansas.
Wondering about the STI treatment process?
Our last two Tuesday Talks covered how to prevent STIs, but what happens when you have an exposure or diagnosis?
Join Nurse Heather, Sedgwick County Health Dept., and Sandy Hill, APRN, to talk about STI Treatment and the follow-ups involved at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, on Facebook Live.
Flu shots available on campus Nov 4
Wichita State’s HR Total Rewards team is once again hosting on-site flu shots, available to State of Kansas employees and their spouses who are currently enrolled in SEHP medical insurance.
WSU will have one on-site flu clinic this year from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, in 266 RSC. Click here to schedule an appointment online for the WSU on-site flu clinic.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, please arrive promptly at your scheduled time to limit quantity of participants waiting or in the room at one time. Flu shots are by appointment only, walk-ins will not be accepted.
Please view the CDC Vaccine Information Statement here. You will need to print and complete the KDHE consent form (look for a word document at the bottom of the page after clicking the link) to take with you to your appointment. This form requires your State Employee ID which you can locate in myWSU in the center of the page by hovering over the white box in the SHaRP ID channel.
Not able to make this clinic? You can also get your no-cost flu shot at your in-network primary care provider or most pharmacy and drug stores. More information can be found here.
2021 Benefits Open Enrollment events
All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in Open Enrollment! Log in to the Member Administration Portal to make your elections.
Events occurring next week:
Tuesday, Oct. 27: Online Open Enrollment Presentation at 9 a.m. Register online in myTraining for the “2021 Benefits Open Enrollment Presentation.”
The Total Rewards Team is not available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding open enrollment. Please take advantage of the scheduled live virtual presentations and on-demand options. For more information, visit the Open Enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.
Wichita State professor named 2020 HFE Woman of the Year
Carryl Baldwin
Carryl Baldwin, Wichita State’s Carl and Rozina Cassat Distinguished Professor of Aging, received the 2020 Woman of the Year Award, presented by the Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) Society, Human Factors and Ergonomics Women’s Organization for Mentorship and Networking.
“I was very honored and humbled by the award,” Baldwin said. The recognition was presented virtually in a meeting of approximately 150 participants.
The award recognizes the outstanding contributions made by an individual woman (or team of women) to the human factors and ergonomics community through research, academia, and/or service. The award honors women who have demonstrated excellence in their career and elsewhere, who make significant contributions in their community, and whose achievements make them leaders in changing the social and business landscape. Baldwin is the fourth recipient of the award.
Baldwin teaches human factors courses in the psychology doctoral program. Her work in transportation has been a mainstay of her research program, especially with regard to in-vehicle displays and driving automation She has conducted work for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration developing and examining collision avoidance alerts, multimodal reminders, automated vehicle takeover requests and using —physiological measures to understand if a driver is paying attention.
Her work with aging populations is a specialty within transportation research. As she continues her research on older adults and vehicle automation, she is also studying the benefit of life-long learning opportunities for enhancing quality of life methods of methods of using technology to reduce perceptions of social isolation among older adult populations.
$1.50 bowling games on Fridays for rewards members
Members of the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes Eat.Drink.Play. Rewards Program can enjoy $1.50 bowling games every Friday during the month of October. Not a rewards member? Joining is free and easy, simply visit today and ask!
Purchase your cardboard cutout for the 2020-21 sport seasons at Koch Arena
Now's your chance to celebrate the 2020-21 season, by bringing your face into Charles Koch Arena in a "big" way. We're filling Charles Koch Arena with two-and-a-half-foot high fan faces sponsored by Patterson Legal Group.
Fans can purchase a two-and-a-half-foot high (32 in. x 16 in.) likeness of their face to be featured in the lower-level at Charles Koch Arena for all home games for men's and women's basketball and volleyball for the 2020-21 season. Each individual "big head" will be authenticated and returned to fans after the season as a keepsake.
Each cutout is $125 for the premium lower bowl and $50 for a non-guaranteed prime location with proceeds from the program aiding the Shocker Pride Fund. Purchase your cutout here.
WSU Ceramic Guild invites you to join us at our annual holiday sale!
Come stop by and check out handmade pottery produced by students and faculty. The Annual Holiday Pottery Sale will be held from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 in 105 Henrion Hall.
If you have any questions regarding the sale, feel free to reach out to us at ceramicsguild.wsu@gmail.com or on instagram @wsuceramicsguild.
Because change begins with YOUth
Positive change in our community begins by helping our younger generations achieve success in life. All they need is friendship, guidance, and support of someone like YOU! Register for Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters (KSBBBS) virtual info session at noon Thursday, Oct. 29, to learn more about KSBBBS.
All webinar attendees will receive a free T-shirt (while supplies last), and one lucky winner will receive a gift card to a local restaurant!
Did you know that more than 100 Wichita State students, faculty, and staff serve local youth through KSBBBS mentoring program?
Attention fall 2020 graduates! It is time to RSVP to participate in a Fall Commencement Ceremony
Fall 2020 Commencement has been moved to Sunday, Nov. 22 at Charles Koch Arena. If you filed your Application for Degree for fall 2020, it is now time to RSVP, if you plan to participate in the commencement ceremonies.
Commencement reservations must be made online by logging into your myWSU, going to the myClasses tab, and then find the Graduation Links box on the right hand side of the page. Click on the “Commencement Registration” link for the ceremony you want to attend and RSVP. This must be done no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2.
If you have any questions about the ceremonies, go to www.wichita.edu/commencement or contact the Commencement Office at commencement@wichita.edu.
Are you a LAS student who is undecided about your major? Allow us to help!
Dear LAS Student,
Happen to be undecided about the major you’d like to pursue? We’d like to help!
Are you interested in expressing your compassion towards acting or being the very change, you wish to see in the world? If so, a Social Work Degree may be a perfect fit for you! To learn more, see our attachment crafted just for you!
We look forward to having the possibility of helping you discover true selfless influence!
Best regards,
School of Social Work
Earn credit for solving national security issues!
Hacking for Defense™ (H4D), is a new course designed for ALL undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines and programs. It takes an entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary approach to America’s hardest national security challenges. You will be part of an interdisciplinary team to research, design, and propose a solution for a real national security challenge.