Wichita State Connect

Wichita State Connect is the campus hub for engagement with preK-12 students and families, educators, and community members.

Major Focus Areas Special Projects Our Partners

Inspiring the next generation of innovators, educators and leaders

Welcome to Wichita State!

Located in the heart of the campus, Wichita State Connect provides a gathering space and launchpad for preK-12 field trips to campus, mixers and events, professional development for educators, and programs that engage WSU’s academic colleges with innovation campus industry partners, admissions, college readiness programs, schools, and community organizations.

Wichita State Connect serves as a university gathering place for campus experiences for preK-12 students and their families, particularly among underrepresented and underserved communities in the Shocker Neighborhood, offering transformative applied learning experiences and college readiness programs for students.

How to find Wichita State Connect

Wichita State Connect is located in the geographic center of campus between Mid-Campus Drive and Research Place roads.

PARKING LOTS:

Lot 15 E, just north of the building (9 parking spaces reserved for Wichita State Connect).
Lot 13 and Lot 15, just west of the building. WSU visitor parking rules allow visitors to park in lots with the Blue and White "V" signage three times each semester (fall and spring) while school is in session. Parking permits are not enforced after 5 p.m.; when classes are not in session or during the summer sessions.

Get driving directions to Wichita State Connect

Executive Staff

Alicia Thompson

Associate Vice President of K-12 Connections & Special Projects

alicia.thompson@wichita.edu

316-978-5286

Tiffanie Henderson

Executive Administrator of K-12 Connections & Special Projects

tiffanie.henderson@wichita.edu

316-978-5061

Naquela Pack

Director of K-12 Connections & Special Projects

naquela.pack@wichita.edu

316-978-5955

Major Focus Areas

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PreK-12 Connections

To create stronger PreK-12 partnerships and reciprocal relationships in Shocker Neighborhood and beyond.

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Shocker Neighborhood

Helping families through access and affordability and enhancing partnerships and engagement.

Learn more

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Wichita State Connect Space

Activate space to encourage creating, learning and collaboration.

Learn more

Special Project: Shocker Neighborhood

The Shocker Neighborhood is both an identity and a geographic location wherein residents, people, businesses and other entities are encouraged to be in close partnership with the university.

Visit the Shocker Neighborhood website

University Village

University Village is a bold initiative to create a community destination of dining, entertainment and shopping to the immediate area surrounding the campus of Wichita State University. A partnership between the university, City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and community members, the University Village will be a transformational addition to the state’s only urban-based research university that has witnessed continued growth and economic impact. Located in a designated Opportunity Zone, the University Village offers interested development partners unique advantages including the potential for public-private partnerships, engaged local agencies and location in one of the nation’s top 100 metropolitan areas in population and top 100 cities to live.

University Village site

Shocker Neighborhood Coalition

The Shocker Neighborhood Coalition is a WSU commitment to empower neighborhood businesses, nonprofits, churches, and community organizations to work together to bring prosperity to the neighborhood and its residents. The Shocker Neighborhood Coalition is a grouping of neighborhood businesses, nonprofits, churches, and community organizations that work together to bring prosperity to the neighborhood and its residents. Any entity that subscribes to the desire to create an economically vibrant community that enjoys shared prosperity is welcome to be a member.

Wichita State Connect works to create communication channels by through relationships with:

Churches
SN Schools
Organizations
Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center
WPD Community Police Officers

Shocker Neighborhood Coalition site

Shocker Neighborhood Commitment

Wichita State’s Shocker Neighborhood Commitment extends the university's support to Future Shockers growing up in the neighborhoods that encircle the campus. The university is dedicated to academic support through the Shocker Promise Scholarship and career and workforce readiness initiatives.

Shocker Neighborhood Commitment page

Our Partners

As our name suggests, connections and partnerships are the lifeblood of Wichita State Connect. We're proud to work hand-in-hand with over 30 representatives of the entities and initiatives.

Shocker Neighborhood Schools

Elementary
- Gordon Parks Academy
- Mueller
- Buckner
- Spaght
- Ingalls
- Urban Prep
- Holy Savior

- Adams
- Hyde
- Washington
High School
- East
- Chester Lewis
Middle School
- Robinson
- Brooks
PreK
- Little Early
- Tops

Shocker Neighborhood, Neighborhood Associations

Fairmount
Price-Woodard
Murdock
The Elm
Sleepy Hollow
Country Overlook
Ken-Mar
Northeast Central
Northeast Heights
Northeast Millair
Atwater-Woodard
McAdams
Macdonald

Churches

Tabernacle Bible Church
The Bridge Church
Mark United Methodist
Paradise Missionary Baptist
Progressive Missionary Baptist
Unity of Wichita Church
New Life Church & Outreach Center
University United Methodist
Paul University Parish