April 15, 2022

The Dorothy & Bill Cohen Honors College Weekly Update

By Savannah Gann

Graphic featuring a photo of WuShock with hands in the air and text that reads: "The Dorothy & Bill Cohen Honors College: The weekly update for April 15, 2022."

Events & Deadlines

Last Day to Apply for Battin-Lester and IMA Scholarships

The Battin-Lester Corporate Responsibility Fellowships provide funding for students to engage in research and writing about corporate responsibility. Students present their research to a panel of community members during the university's annual Constitution Day celebration. Get more information and apply here by the end of today.

The Bill Cohen IMA Scholarship is open to full-time students pursuing degrees in business, engineering, and/or the Honors College leadership track. Students must complete a half-day externship with an insurance company to expose the student to the field and to the importance of corporate social responsibility. Apply here by the end of today.

Final Days to Apply for Honors Student Council

We are looking for students who want to develop as leaders and improve the Honors community to serve on the Cohen Honors College Student Council throughout the 2022-2023 academic year. The Student Council typically meets every Thursday 5 - 6 p.m. and meets at least twice a year with the Faculty Council. To bring an idea or concern to the current Student Council any time, email honorsassistant@wichita.edu.

What does it mean to be a leader in Honors? We have leaders in our labs, classroom, student organizations, and governance. Being a leader in Honors means working to discover your strengths and the strengths of others. Leadership sometimes means standing at the front of the room, but it sometimes means asking a thoughtful question or inviting someone else to speak. It means listening, observing, figuring out what are the greatest needs, and working independently or collaboratively to meet those needs. For information about the Student Council and current members, visit this webpage.

Click here to apply. The deadline is April 17th.

Don't Miss Your Chance - Honors Ambassadors Application Due Sunday!

We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic students to serve as Honors Ambassadors! Honors Ambassadors assist the Honors College in the recruitment of future Honors students, as well as, represent the Honors College at various events and activities across campus. Honors Ambassadors have the opportunity to meet lots of new people, improve several professional skills, and make a long-lasting impact by sharing their personal stories!

Read more on the Honors Ambassadors webpage and click here to apply. The deadline is April 17th.

Attend the Honors College Faculty Council Meeting

The Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College is extending an invitation to the WSU community for the April 21st Honors College Faculty Council Meeting by Zoom. Current Honors Faculty Fellows will be presenting what they have been working on this year. Honors Faculty Fellows develop independent or collaborative projects to advance Honors education and high-impact practices across campus. They research best practices, develop preliminary Honors course or research project designs, develop new academic programs, and present project outcomes, when relevant, to the Cohen Honors College Faculty Council. The Zoom meeting is Thursday, April 21st from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Click here for the link.

For a preview of the Honors College Faculty Fellows and their projects, please visit our Honors Faculty Fellows page.

A rectangular graphic features a top border of golden yellow, light blue, pale green, dark green, and light blue squares - each square features a science-related cartoon graphic, such as a microscope or test tube. Below the border, large black text reads: "Expanding Your Horizons: STEM Conference for Middle School Girls." Below the black text is bright green text: "Recruiting Volunteers." On the left-side bottom of the graphic is blue text that reads: "Free T-shirt and lunch" above a cartoon graphic of four women holding strands of DNA, a large magnifying glass, the symbol for an atom, and the Earth. To the right of the cartoon graphic is a light blue box with black text that reads: "AGENDA: Saturday, April 23, 2022. Wichita State University, Hubbard Hall. 8:00AM - Registration. 9:00AM - Opening Address & Keynote. 9:45AM - Parents' Session. 10:00AM - Track Round #1. 11:00AM - Track Round #2. 12:00PM - Lunch, Shocker Hall. 1:15PM - Track Round #3. 2:15PM - Closing Ceremony & Prize Drawings. 3:00PM - Optional Campus Tour."

Volunteers Needed for Annual Expanding Your Horizons STEM Conference 

The 9th annual Expanding Your Horizons STEM Conference for middle school girls will be held on Saturday, April 23rd from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Hubbard Hall. Volunteers are needed to help inspire young women to pursue STEM careers and assist in hands-on activities, but need no prior experience. All volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and lunch.

Register to volunteer at https://forms.gle/Drc286GESztnZ62C9

Dark blue background with tan colored circles that form the shape of fireworks on the left and right. At the top, tan text states, "Honors Ignites Passion." Below, large orange text states, "Night of the Colleges." Below, tan text states, "Join us for keynote speakers and a chance to connect Honors faculty! April 23, 6pm-8pm, RSC Room 142." In the bottom right corner is a QR code to RSVP.

You're Invited to Night of the Colleges!

WHEAT is hosting the Night of the Colleges: Honors Ignites Passion on Saturday, April 23rd from 6 - 8 p.m. Join them in the Rhatigan Student Center Room 142 to hear from Dr. Elaine Bernstorf and Dr. Laura Bernstorf, connect with student and professors from across all the colleges, and enjoy some tacos! Click here to RSVP by April 17th.

Attention Graduates! Save the Date for Donuts, Coffee, and Kudos Event

Honors College graduates and their families are invited to celebrate at this come-and-go event! Enjoy donuts and coffee while viewing the graduate recognition slideshow on May 13th between 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Click here to RSVP.

News & Information

Still Looking for an Honors Course to Take Next Semester?

Here are some Fall 2022 courses that have a few seats available. Check them out and enroll today!

  • HNRS 352 - Survey of Law & Public Policy
  • HNRS 306K - Black Lives Matter
  • HNRS 305F - Epidemics in World History
  • HNRS 305U - The Power of Storytelling
  • HNRS 306I - AGE: OK Boomer & Beyond

If You've Read This Far, Thank You

Reply to this email with the year the Honors College was named after generous donors Dorothy & Bill Cohen. The first 3 students to answer correctly will receive Honors swag!

Honors Baccalaureate Thesis Due May 1st to Dean's Office

Honors Baccalaureate thesis projects are due by May 1st to the Honors Dean. Remember that work submitted as a thesis project must be accompanied by the cover sheet signed by the student, the supervisor and, if required by the thesis supervisor, additional faculty advisors. The thesis cover sheet is available on the Forms Directory page of the Cohen Honors College website. This form provides written certification from the supervisor stating that the thesis meets the standards and expectations established by the supervisor and agreed upon by the student. Consider also signing the approval form allowing the Cohen Honors College to publish your thesis on its webpage and to the SOAR Project of the WSU Libraries.

Depending on the thesis topic, the student may be required by the thesis supervisor to submit the thesis for review by additional faculty advisors prior to Dean’s Office submission. The thesis supervisor also may choose to require a formal defense or presentation. The Honors Dean’s Office submits the final certification to the Registrar’s Office by December 10 or May 10 in the final semester of the student’s senior year. Please feel free to contact kimberly.engber@wichita.edu if you have any questions!

WSU AmeriCorps & VISTA Positions Available 

AmeriCorps is your moment to take the path less traveled, to break the status quo, to stop talking about the problem and be the solution. If you're passionate about bringing individuals and communities out of poverty, this is for you! There are both summer and year-long commitments. You would receive a modest stipend and become eligible for an education award after successful service. Find current openings by going to my.AmeriCorps.gov and searching "WSU" If you have questions, email wsuVISTA@wichita.edu or call 316-339-4378.

Shocker Learning Center Hiring SI Leaders & Tutors for Fall 2022

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an international program developed to assist students with learning material in traditionally difficult classes. SI sessions are led by a student who has previously succeeded in the course and focus on collaborative and active learning. This position requires attending the class and a total commitment of 8-10 hours per week. Apply here.

Peer Tutoring is a certified program that consists of 1:1 sessions or small group sessions for students who request help with a specific course. This position does not require attendance at the class and usually works approximately 5-8 flexible hours each week. All tutoring is appointment-based to cater to your schedule. Paid in-house training is provided. Apply here.

 Questions? Contact caitlin.jordan@wichita.edu.

Honors Suggestion Box

The Honors College Student Council wants to hear from you. Click here to share any comments, ideas, or suggestions you have about how to improve the Honors experience. It is anonymous.

Student Spotlight

Yellow grid graphic with photo of Hannah Kraus in the middle. Text information around reads: "Name: Hannah Kraus. Hometown: Colwich, KS. Major: Mechanical Engineering. Minor: Creative Writing. Honors Distinction: Emory Lindquist Honors Scholar Track. Favorite Honors Benefits: Priority Enrollment. Favorite Honors Class: The Power of Storytelling. Involvement on Campus: Society of Women Engineers. Plans after graduation: Work as an engineering contractor in a full-time position."

Submit Information for the Student Spotlight

We want to give a shoutout to AMAZING students like you! To be featured in weekly update and on social media, click here to complete the brief form.

General Information about Honors

Email honors@wichita.edu at any time with questions or concerns.

The Honors student lounge, kitchen, and printing areas in Shocker Hall are open 24/7 by keycard access for all Honors students. Speak with the Honors Student Assistant at the desk or email honorsassistant@wichita.edu if you have any trouble.

We want to hear from you! Submit your news to the weekly update.