Army awards WSU-NIAR additional $13.5 million for high-speed missile materials research
The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University announces a new $13.5 million award from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (CCDC AvMC) for continued applied research on emerging materials for high-speed missile applications.
The research program, which started in 2019, supports CCDC AvMC’s objectives to reduce weight and cost of advanced missile systems while increasing performance. The additional $13.5 million award will allow NIAR to continue to collaborate with CCDC AvMC to expand material testing, characterization and qualification capabilities.
Throughout the first year of the program, researchers identified technology gaps – such as cost, understanding of processing techniques, and lack of data – that limit the use of high-temperature materials, and developed a plan to address them.
Similar to the first phase of the program, NIAR will continue to work on various high-temperature-capable material systems with national industry experts, including Spirit AeroSystems and Fiber Materials Inc. (FMI), a Spirit AeroSystems company. Through this partnership, NIAR and Spirit will develop manufacturing processes and material characterization for advanced composites for future thermal protection systems.
Pictured above: The Partnership 2 building on Wichita State's Innovation Campus houses Spirit AeroSystems' WSU location.
Fall commencement deadline for graduating student tickets is Nov. 2
Wichita State University will celebrate its fall 2020 commencement ceremonies on Sunday, Nov. 22 at Charles Koch Arena. Approximately 1,200 students are eligible to participate.
The fall ceremonies are being held earlier than in previous years to accommodate students who will not return to campus after the Thanksgiving break. The change to the academic calendar was made to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
To allow for adequate social distancing during the ceremonies, a decision was made to hold two ceremonies at Koch Arena to safely accommodate students and their guests:
- The first ceremony begins at 1 p.m. Nov. 22. Students will check in at the Rhatigan Student Center from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- The second ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m. Students will check in at the RSC from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
To further ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and guests, face coverings are required, and social distancing will be in place.
This is a ticketed event. Students must RSVP by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 to participate.
Each graduate will receive two guest tickets. Graduate and guest seating are assigned and there will be no admittance without a ticket.
Student check-in will be at the RSC on Nov. 22. Students will receive their tickets from their college at check-in.
Guest tickets will be available for pickup at the Koch Arena ticket office beginning Monday, Nov. 9. Students unable to pick up guest tickets at the arena can request their tickets be mailed to them by clicking fall commencement.
Attention faculty / staff: Did you study abroad?
Did you study abroad while you were in college?
We are looking for faculty and staff that did study abroad programs during college. We need your help. Hearing more about study abroad experiences from mentors is one great way to encourage more students to study abroad.
If you studied abroad, please help us by completing our faculty / staff study abroad form to share about your experiences. We would love to have good representation across campus in the various colleges and departments to showcase and highlight faculty and staff who did study abroad programs.
Please submit your form by Nov. 15.
Questions? Email ann.burger@wichita.edu
The correct question is ‘What is a library?’
Did you know that the popular TV game show “Jeopardy” incorporated Ablah Library as one of the answers?
The episode aired on Monday, Oct. 26, and the answer was “The Valley one at Oregon State & the Ablah one at Wichita State have special Quiet Zones – Shouldn’t the whole place be one?”
Of course, the correct question is, “What is a library.”
You can watch it at the YouTube link here at about the seven-and-a-half minute mark of the show.
Deadline for OAT course designations is approaching
The Open / Alternative Textbook (OAT) initiative is designed to promote, incentivize, and grow the use of freely available resources in WSU classes to reduce the economic impact of textbook costs for students. Applications for Fall '21 courses are due by Nov 15 (in preparation for fall schedule building in January).
Faculty who design courses that provide instructional resources at no cost to student are eligible for an OAT course designation. Students pay a flat $10 course fee, with these funds being split between the department offering the course and the Open / Alternative Textbook grant program (which funds faculty to develop more OAT courses / materials).
The OAT Initiative is managed by Academic Affairs. OAT Course Designations are reviewed by a committee composed of: Two faculty members (appointed by Faculty Senate), a representative from University Libraries , a representative from Instructional Design and Access, at least one student (appointed by SGA), and the Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management (ex officio).
PTAC workshop to address how to stand out in a competitive market
Kansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will be hosting a virtual workshop titled “How To Stand Out In A Competitive Market With A Capability Statement.”
By attending this workshop, you will learn key elements of a capability statement, how to develop the target capability statement and items you need on your website, and how to do research to know what your business can do to provide solutions for government agencies.
The workshop is being offered as a virtual program from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, and will be taught by Scott Knapp. Registration will be required in advance to attend the workshop, and can be accomplished here.
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.
Mid-West Air Force Collider event on Dec. 3 and 4
This virtual Collider event on Dec. 3 and 4 brings the United States Air Force and the small business community together to connect and collaborate. This enables the opportunity for small business innovation to quickly deliver advanced technologies to the Air Force.
Shocker Secrets to Success series available to help students navigate the hidden curriculum
A new collection of videos is available on the Student Success website dedicated to the hidden curriculum of Shocker life. Designed for first-generation students, but applicable to many, this partnership between Student Success and Student Affairs attempts to provide information we assume students already know, but often don't. Included is a playlist of videos to help students understand Blackboard better, as well as a new video series that helps students navigate academic resources, time management, technology, classroom involvement and more. New videos will be added throughout the semester.
Have a suggestion for a topic? Email student.success@wichita.edu and let us know!
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.
Call for graduate student abstracts for CGRS 2021
Do you have a student working on research that benefits the State of Kansas? Encourage them to submit an abstract to represent Wichita State University at the 18th Annual Capital Graduate Research Summit (CGRS). Abstract submission for WSU consideration closes Nov. 20.
The Capital Graduate Research Summit is a research competition and showcase for Kansas Board of Regents universities to raise awareness of graduate students conducting research impacting Kansas and provide an opportunity to share their work with graduate students and faculty from other Kansas universities, the Kansas Legislature, and the general public. This year’s Summit will take place online with video presentations going live on Feb. 18.
Friday's ISME Colloquium features Joan Wagner, Systems Engineering Lead at Spirit AeroSystems
Joan Wagner
An Industrial and Systems Engineering Approach to the 50 States Half Marathon Challenge will be presented by Joan Wagner, Systems Engineering Lead at Spirit AeroSystems from 11 a.m.-noon Friday, Oct. 30.
Abstract
Industrial and Systems Engineering is a way of life. It may not be perceptible how the practical applications of the discipline infiltrate every aspect of how an ISE interacts with the world, but it is a concrete element of their lives. Ms. Wagner attempted and finished the 50 States Half Marathon Challenge and her ISE skills came into play during her planning and execution. This presentation will step through planning, optimization, and complex inputs needed for completion of the challenge.
Joan Wagner was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas and stayed close to home for college where she attended Wichita State University. She completed her BS in Industrial Engineering in 1999, and went to work at Metal-Fab, as a Plant Industrial Engineer. Here she specialized in cost reduction initiatives through design improvements and capital implementation.
While at Metal-Fab, she completed a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering. Shortly after completing her MSIE, she went to work at Spirit AeroSystems Inc. (The Boeing Co. at the time) as a Facilities Project Administrator managing plant rearrangements and machine installations, but also supported Environmental projects.
She then transferred to Aftermarket to work Proposal Management for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul. From there, she Program Managed a Partnering for Success Initiative for Spirit with Boeing to reduce production costs on sustaining programs. This led to a position in Global Production Engineering as the Manager of the Industrial Engineering Special Projects Team setting up the Industrial Engineering skill for the company.
For the past three years, Joan has worked in Systems Engineering working Requirements for Manufacturing, Tooling and Quality.
In 2007, to diversify her educational background, she completed an MBA from Webster. She has been elected to the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers Board of Trustees twice, as Senior Vice President of Regions and Senior Vice President of Industry.
Currently with Spirit, Joan is also active with Girl Scouts, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team in Training, and volunteers regularly with her church and local STEM programs. She completed her personal challenge of running a half marathon in every state on June 29, 2019.
Attention first-generation students! Want to maximize your potential for success?
Are you a first-generation student (which means neither of your parents earned a four-year degree) and looking for an opportunity to maximize your potential for personal success? If so, plan to attend the 2020 Ad Astra Mini-Conference from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. This event is designed for first-generation Shockers and can be attended in person or virtually.
Join us as we come together for National First-Generation Celebration Day!
To find the mini-conference schedule and to RSVP, go to www.wichita.edu/adastra. Space is limited!
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!
Shockin' Social with Admissions Diversity Interns - Nov. 3
High school students of all ages are invited to come meet the Diversity Interns from
the Office of Admissions at the Wichita State Shockin' Social on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Attendees will enjoy pizza, games, and getting to meet other high school students
thinking about attending college at Wichita State.
This event is free for students to attend. Due to space capacities, we are asking
for this to be a student-only event. Students who would like to attend the Shockin' Social can register here!
Questions? Reach out to Anna Dixon, admissions representative, at anna.dixon@wichita.edu.
Benefits Open Enrollment – Three days left!
2021 Benefits Open Enrollment is almost over! Log in to the Member Administration Portal to make your elections by Saturday, Oct. 31.
All benefits-eligible state employees must make their 2021 elections by the deadline on Oct. 31. Employees enrolled in medical coverage who do not make a new election will be defaulted into medical Plan N with a use-it-or-lose-it HRA.
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.
The Third Annual Kansas Prevention Conference was a success!
Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute supported the Third Annual Kansas Prevention Conference that took place virtually Oct. 14-16. The conference welcomed 175 attendees and was a great week of learning together and celebrating the incredible prevention work being done throughout the state.
Secretary Laura Howard from Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services gave the opening remarks. Earl Greene followed Secretary Howard with his keynote on “Cultural Humility: The Power of Engagement.” From there, the conference dove into an array of breakout sessions covering substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention, and problem gambling prevention. On Friday, the conference wrapped up with a keynote from Alex Elswick on “Recovery Capital: Assets, not Abstinence.”
It was an honor to learn alongside Kansas' energetic and innovative prevention professionals and communities. Thank you to all those who joined us and stay tuned for information on next year's conference!
First Gen Shockers invited to Library Lounge!
First Gen Shockers – you’re invited to our Library Lounge! Join the Libraries’ first gen faculty and staff for an informal chat from 3-4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2.
Have questions about how to use the libraries or what we offer? Want to find out what it’s like to be a librarian? Just want to say hi and talk about your favorite book? We’d love to see you join us.
Click here for free registration and we’ll send you the Zoom link and a special Ablah Library background.
Tuition Assistance applications for spring 2021 now being accepted
Tuition Assistance applications for spring 2021 are now being accepted through the online application form. The online application will be available through Dec. 1, 2020, and will close at the end of this application period.
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.
$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!
Student Organization advisors needed
We are in search of full-time faculty and staff who are interested in serving as an advisor for student organizations here on campus.
A little about our community of Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) here on campus -- there are 300 student organizations ranging anywhere from academic to political to special interest to cultural / international. With more than 5,000 students participating, if you are interested in this role or want more information, please reach out to Maggi Hole at student.orgs@wichita.edu.
Veteran and Military Art Expo hosted by Veterans Upward Bound is seeking art entries now to Oct. 30
Veterans Upward Bound, part of TRIO, is seeking art submissions for our first Virtual Art Expo.
We are seeking all types of art from veterans, military (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard), veteran spouses, military spouses, veteran children, military children and community service providers whose work touches the military and/or veteran community.
With your art, please include a short narrative or recording about what it means to you and how you were inspired to create it.
WSU students and staff who meet the entry criteria are strongly encouraged to submit an entry!
This is a non-competitive show, just an expo for you to display your creative side! The expo will be held on VUB’s YouTube channel from Nov. 2-20.
Veterans Upward Bound is an educational and skills program designed to meet the needs of today's veterans. VUB's goal is to prepare veterans for post-secondary education, regardless of desired institution. All services are free to veterans who meet the eligibility criteria.
By submitting a piece of art, you will help drive awareness of our beneficial service throughout the community.
Please join in! Submit a picture, sound byte or video by email to Veterans.upwardbound@wichita.edu.
Celebrate International Education Week by sharing a recipe from home!
Food is a large part of many cultures around the world! We want to invite you to share a piece of your culture, through food, with the campus community as part of International Education Week 2021 (Nov. 15-21). The recipes will come together to create an online International Shocker Recipe Book that will be shared during International Education Week. If you would like to share a recipe, please fill out this short form. The deadline to submit a recipe is Monday, Nov. 2.
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.
Support survivors of domestic violence by donating to the Sigma Psi Zeta Donation Drive!
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)! Domestic violence is a range of abusive behaviors that are used to gain control and power over another. The purpose of DVAM is to mourn victims, to celebrate survivors, and to connect advocates who strive to end domestic violence.
Sigma Psi Zeta’s philanthropy is to combat the violence against women in its varied forms, more generally gender-based violence. We aim to emphasize the importance of knowing what domestic violence is and to engage the community in discussing domestic violence.
This week through Oct. 30, we are hosting a donation drive to the Wichita Family Crisis Center—a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate domestic violence in our community by supporting survivors through shelter, education, and advocacy. Donation drop-boxes are located in ODI and SGA. You can also make a monetary donation Sigma Psi Zeta Donation Drive.
Shocker students gain hands-on experience through local internships
Wichita State University students Jessica Sharp, a junior accounting major, and Marissa Sanders, a senior human resources management major, are applying their education to hands-on experience in their internships at Allen, Gibbs & Houlik.
AGH is a Wichita-based business management consultant firm and one of the largest independent certified public accountants and advisory firms in central United States. Landing an internship at the firm is a critical step forward for Jessica and Marissa, who will take this experience with them as they look toward their careers post-graduation.
Access to that experience – the opportunity to connect with local industry and gain real-world experience while still in school – is what makes Wichita State students stand out from the crowd and is directly tied to the university’s goal of fostering applied learning opportunities for all students.
Pictured above: Jessica Sharp, left, and Marissa Sanders
Free tutoring and academic mentoring for diverse Shockers!
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is offering free tutoring and academic mentoring!
Our tutors help students develop a deeper understanding of class material and gain successful skills that can improve their overall GPA.
Our academic mentors offer biweekly meetings to help you with academic success skills, such as time management, effective studying and note-taking, test preparation and more!
You can drop in any of the listed times or schedule an appointment. See when we are open, what classes are offered, and how to request appointments at wichita.edu/pass!
Master of Social Work Informational Sessions - all students invited
The School of Social Work is hosting the last of three fall “MSW Info Sessions” to help prospective students discover more about the Master of Social Work program at Wichita State University at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. This is geared to both social work majors and for those with majors outside of social work. We encourage you to share this with your students and recent graduates of all majors!
Attendees will have this virtual opportunity to discover more about the field, meet faculty, and learn how to apply as a regular program or advanced standing student. The priority deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2021 for those who wish to enter in the 2021-22 school year.
If students have questions or would prefer to speak one-on-one, please direct them to Shaunna Millar, MSW Program Director and Clinical Professor, at shaunna.millar@wichita.edu. Click here for the Zoom log in information for the Nov. 11 session, password: socialwork.