Shocker Strive Conference
Friday, March 27, 2026 • Rhatigan Student Center
Registration is closed for the 2026 Conference.
Feel free to reach out to shockerstrive@wichita.edu with any questions.
The Third Annual Staff Trainings Resources Initiatives Values and Engagement (STRIVE) conference, established in 2024, offers all WSU staff a free professional development opportunity and a chance to network with fellow Shockers within the Wichita State University community. The Staff Senate aims to create a flexible opportunity for any interested staff to attend, learn, and connect with others. To accommodate various schedules, we offer both morning and afternoon sessions. There will be a morning welcome message at 8:15 am and an afternoon welcome message at 12:30 pm.
For those attending, box lunches will be available for those who are registered to attend the event from Noon to 1 p.m. During the lunch hour, we will host an awards ceremony to celebrate those honored with Staff Senate awards as well!
During the event, Staff Senators will also be available in black shirts all day, please ask these representatives if you need any assistance or have any feedback.
Thank you to President Rick Muma, Provost Monica Lounsbery and David Miller for helping sponsor the Shocker Strive Conference.
Morning Sessions
8:30 to 9:30am
Session Overview: This session will provide an overview of the Docking Survey results that were presented to Staff Senate. Presenters will highlight key findings, common themes that emerged from staff feedback, and the initial recommendations developed in response to the data. The session will also focus on the importance of gathering broader campus input to ensure that next steps are thoughtful, collaborative, and responsive to staff needs. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the process used to review the survey results and to share feedback that can help inform future actions and implementation efforts.
Presenters: Gabriel Fonseca, Jacob Mendez
Location: RSC Beggs Ballroom
Session Overview: Faculty and staff often encounter students who are distressed, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn for help—and many campus partners play a role in supporting them. But not every office is bound by the same laws or able to share information in the same ways. In this session, the Directors of Student Outreach & Support (SOS), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and Student Health Services (SHS) will demystify the differences between FERPA and HIPAA and explain how these regulations shape what information can be shared, with whom, and under what circumstances. This session will walk you through scenarios, questions we're often asked, and allow ample time for Q&A with the presenters. Attendees will leave with concrete tools and campus‑wide resources that can be used to support students—and themselves—in difficult moments.
Presenters: Katie Davidson, Chris Leonard, Heather Stafford
Location: RSC 266
Session Overview: You know all about it, workforce needs are changing quickly, but are employer recruitment strategies changing too? This session outlines what Career Services professionals are seeing on the ground working with corporate partners, common pitfalls for students, what that means for students post graduation outcomes, and how YOU can impact their success. Participants will gain insight into how WSU staff can help students build confidence, articulate their strengths, and navigate an evolving recruitment landscape.
Presenters: Brian Austin
Location: RSC 265
9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
Session Overview: Forget the org chart. Real management happens in the moments between meetings, in the decisions made under pressure, and in the relationships that hold teams together.
Presenters: Raina Rutti, Chris Stone
Location: RSC 266
Session Overview: Join us to learn about university persistence/retention tools, campus resources, and simple strategies you can put into practice to help students feel more connected and supported at Wichita State.
Presenters: Kim Sandlin
Location: RSC 265
Session Overview: Belonging with Purpose invites staff to think about what it really means to help others feel they matter, while still honoring the expectations and boundaries of our institution. Together, we’ll talk through approachable ways to build meaningful connections, support a wide range of experiences, and strengthen trust across our community. This session offers practical tools for handling tricky moments with confidence and intention, all while contributing to a campus environment where students and colleagues alike feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.
Presenters: Gabriel Fonseca
Location: RSC 233
11 a.m. to Noon
Session Overview: Find out about current Generative AI efforts going on at WSU; What can you use and how can you use it safely? What impact does it have? What are others doing around campus?
Presenters: John Jones
Location: RSC 266
Session Overview: Finance 101 is designed for anyone who processes invoices, enters requisitions, monitors budgets, or has financial questions at WSU. It provides a simplified introduction to fund types, the FOAPAL structure, the annual budget cycle, key financial systems such as TM1, Emburse Enterprise, Wu‑Buy, and Banner Self Service 9, and the essential reports used to track departmental budgets and transactions.
Presenters: Kristie Courtney, Lyndsay Pletcher
Location: RSC 233
Session Overview: This interactive session will focus on identifying unique strengths and contributions to the workplace. Participants will discuss their talents and how they leverage them personally and professionally.
Presenters: Katie Brady-Wark, Kennedy Rogers
Location: RSC 265
Afternoon Sessions
1 to 2 p.m.
Session Overview: This session will provide an overview of the Docking Survey results that were presented to Staff Senate. Presenters will highlight key findings, common themes that emerged from staff feedback, and the initial recommendations developed in response to the data. The session will also focus on the importance of gathering broader campus input to ensure that next steps are thoughtful, collaborative, and responsive to staff needs. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the process used to review the survey results and to share feedback that can help inform future actions and implementation efforts.
Presenters: Gabriel Fonseca, Jacob Mendez
Location: RSC Beggs Ballroom
Session Overview: Faculty and staff often encounter students who are distressed, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn for help—and many campus partners play a role in supporting them. But not every office is bound by the same laws or able to share information in the same ways. In this session, the Directors of Student Outreach & Support (SOS), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and Student Health Services (SHS) will demystify the differences between FERPA and HIPAA and explain how these regulations shape what information can be shared, with whom, and under what circumstances. This session will walk you through scenarios, questions we're often asked, and allow ample time for Q&A with the presenters. Attendees will leave with concrete tools and campus‑wide resources that can be used to support students—and themselves—in difficult moments.
Presenters: Katie Davidson, Chris Leonard, Heather Stafford
Location: RSC 266
Session Overview: Join us to learn about university persistence/retention tools, campus resources, and simple strategies you can put into practice to help students feel more connected and supported at Wichita State.
Presenters: Kim Sandlin
Location: RSC 265
2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
Session Overview: TBD
Presenters: Staff Senate Professional Development Committee (Chuk Nweke, Sadi Roberts)
Location: RSC Beggs Ballroom
Session Overview: Belonging with Purpose invites staff to think about what it really means to help others feel they matter, while still honoring the expectations and boundaries of our institution. Together, we’ll talk through approachable ways to build meaningful connections, support a wide range of experiences, and strengthen trust across our community. This session offers practical tools for handling tricky moments with confidence and intention, all while contributing to a campus environment where students and colleagues alike feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.
Presenters: Gabriel Fonseca
Location: RSC 265
Session Overview: Find out about current Generative AI efforts going on at WSU; What can you use and how can you use it safely? What impact does it have? What are others doing around campus?
Presenters: John Jones
Location: RSC 266
3:30 to 4:30 p.m
Session Overview: Forget the org chart. Real management happens in the moments between meetings, in the decisions made under pressure, and in the relationships that hold teams together.
Presenters: Raina Rutti, Chris Stone
Location: RSC 266
Session Overview: Finance 101 is designed for anyone who processes invoices, enters requisitions, monitors budgets, or has financial questions at WSU. It provides a simplified introduction to fund types, the FOAPAL structure, the annual budget cycle, key financial systems such as TM1, Emburse Enterprise, Wu‑Buy, and Banner Self Service 9, and the essential reports used to track departmental budgets and transactions.
Presenters: Kristie Courtney, Lyndsay Pletcher
Location: RSC 264
Session Overview: This interactive session will focus on identifying unique strengths and contributions to the workplace. Participants will discuss their talents and how they leverage them personally and professionally.
Presenters: Katie Brady-Wark, Kennedy Rogers
Location: RSC 265
Session Overview: TBD
Presenters: Chuk Nweke
Location: RSC Beggs Ballroom