Welcome! Participate in Shocker Pre-Season to get connected to campus and warmed up for the new academic year!

Photo of two students kneeling, smiling, and making the shocker hand signal during Orientation Day.
Student Success

Shocker Pre-Season: PROGRAMS

We want you to start college feeling confident and connected.  Shocker Pre-Season programs are a collections of programs that help students warm up and get in the right mindset the week (or two) prior to the beginning of the regularly scheduled fall semester. These programs will give you the opportunity to make new friends, get to know some instructors, and learn your way around campus while at the same time working on skills like college-level writing, presentations and research. Activities will prepare you for the core classes you will take your freshman year and give you tips and tricks to be a great college student.

August 2024

WU Safe Zone, Wednesday, August 14th, Shocker Hall Academy: 3:00-5:00pm

Karaoke, Wednesday, August 14th, Shocker Hall Courtyard: 8:00-10:00pm

Grocery Bingo, Thursday, August 15th, Shocker Hall Lobby: 3:00-5:00pm

Back to School Pool Party, Thursday, August 15th, Heskett Center: 7:00-9:00pm

DIY T-Shirt Event, Friday, August 16th, RSC 264: 4:00-5:00pm

Full list of Shocker Pre-Season programs:

Individual programs may have specific requirements students must meet and may already be full or reach capacity at any time. It is strongly recommended that you visit the website or contact the person listed for more program details, including costs.

Below is a listing of post Shocker Pre-Season Programs.  

Shocker Promise Academy

Must be a recipient of the Sedgwick County Promise Scholarship.

The Shocker Promise Academy is a week-long program for new students to help in the transition from high school to college at Wichita State. The program will provide students with an opportunity to connect with peers, learn about the campus and resources, and develop leadership skills. Students will also enroll in a free three credit hour class where they will explore aspects of critical thinking, financial literacy, problem solving, professionalism and leadership through the application of training, engagement, and real-world experiences. Reservations are required by June 1 or will remain open until we reach capacity.

  • August 5-9, 2024
  • This is a FREE program.
  • Students who qualified received an email from Financial Aid (wichita.edu/financialaid)

Shocker Promise Academy  -  hosted by Financial Aid

Passage 2 Success

Passage 2 Success is a week-long retreat for incoming freshmen from diverse backgrounds to help in their transition to Wichita State University! The purpose of this retreat is to connect with other incoming students, meet current student leaders, explore Wichita, and gain the skills and tools to be socially and academically successful. Priority deadline for reservations is June 2, but open until July 21 or until the program reaches capacity.

  • August 11-15, 2024
  • Program Fee = $75
  • More information: wichita.edu/p2s
  • Reservations will remain open until all spots are filled and will close on Friday, July 26th.

Passage 2 Success - hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Shocker Engineering Academy

Must be a College of Engineering major.

Spend a week engaged in academic enrichment sessions, hands-on activities, and fun social events. You will have the opportunity interact with peers and engineering faculty and staff before the fall semester starts. SEA students are eligible to earn credit for Engineering+, a graduation requirement. 

Shocker Engineering Academy - hosted by the College of Engineering
Pre-Nursing Success Academy

Must be a Pre-Nursing major.

This program aims to help pre-nursing students develop efficient skills and habits necessary for success in prerequisite courses and in the Nursing program. The agenda includes sessions from Nursing faculty, current Nursing students, and Student Success. Reservations are required.

Immersive Leadership Institute

This program is designed for students wanting to develop and strengthen their leadership skills as they prepare to step into the many leadership experiences available to incoming students. Participants will hone their unique leadership style through self-discovery in large and small group sessions and team activities. Every Shocker Starts Somewhere – start your WSU Leadership journey at the Immersive Leadership Institute!

  • August 11-15, 2024
  • Program Fee = $75 (covers all costs, including enrollment in LEAD399A: Leadership in Student Groups)
  • More information: wichita.edu/ili
Immersive Leadership Institute - hosted by Student Engagement, Advocacy and Leadership
First-Steps

This program helps first-generation students (neither parent has earned a four-year degree) connect and prepare for their first year of college. Program sessions cover getting connected with campus support, how to navigate the University, walking to individual classrooms on attendees’ schedules on a campus tour, creating a sense of belonging and more!

  • August 13, 2024
  • 8:00am - 12:00pm
  • This is a FREE program.
  • More information and reservations: wichita.edu/firststeps
First-Steps - hosted by Student Affairs
"When Everyone Leads...in sport!"

“When Everyone Leads…..in sport!” is a one-day program for new students in the department of Sport and Leadership Studies. The daylong program features an innovative partnership with the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) where sport management and/or organizational leadership and learning students learn about KLC’s “When Everyone Leads” curriculum and how to apply these skills to current challenges facing our communities and industries. Students enroll in a three-credit hour, market-based tuition course where they learn about leadership, how to engage and navigate adaptive challenges, and start their college career off on the right foot! Spots are limited and will remain open until we reach capacity. Students receive:

Shocker Rowing

Interested in trying a new sport in college? Learn to row with Shocker Rowing to get first hand experience of whether or not this sport is for you.  

  • August 12-16, 2024
  • No experience required.  
  • Week-long camp.
  • Clinic is free. 
  • One day clinic August 10th.  Details to be determined. 
  • More information: rachel.tuck@wichita.edu 

https://www.wichita.edu/athletics/rowing/camps.php

Math Launch

Math Launch - Fall 2024

Would you like some help to prepare for your Mathematics or Statistics courses this fall? Join Math Launch each morning 9am-12pm on Tuesday August 13th, Wednesday August 14th, and Thursday August 15th. 

We will work on the concepts and techniques that can help you to be successful in your courses this fall.

How can we practice mathematics so that we are successful in our courses? If learning math means DOING math ... How can we learn how to DO THAT?!

How can online homework hurt our ability to learn? How can it help? How can we know the difference?!

How can we be successful in learning mathematics during a lecture? Is the lecture time more than just agreeing with the instructor and taking notes? How can we ask questions?

Why is Chat GPT so terrible at mathematics? Can I even trust "answers" I find online? Will technology help or hurt our learning?

Each day we will work to help develop the skills you need to answer these questions and help you perform to the best of your abilities over the course of the fall.

... As a bonus we have free stuff as well ...

If you want to come and get ready before classes start please sign up here!

Math Launch - Fall 2024

  • Tuesday August 13th, 9am - Noon
  • Wednesday August 14th, 9am - Noon
  • Thursday August 15th, 9am - Noon
School of Performing Arts (SPA)

The School of Performing Arts (SPA) Preseason Orientation is for all majors in the school (dance, design & technical theatre, musical theatre, theatre general studies, and theatre performance). The 2-day orientation includes an overview of the academic year, event and project calendars, student travel opportunities, important campus resources, free community meals, and team-building activities.

  • August 14-15, 2024
  • This orientation is free for all School of Performing Arts majors.
  • For more information contact the School of Performing Arts Administrative Specialist stacy.salters@wichita.edu or by phone at 316-978-3360.