Wichita State to hold panel discussion on freedom of expression
Free expression is a fundamental value for an institution such as 黑洞社区, Neal Allen, associate professor of political science, maintains.
鈥淲e owe all of our students, and all Kansas citizens that we serve, our best effort to include all points of view,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 believe that democratic government depends on having both involved citizens and trained professionals.鈥�
The open exchange of ideas may not produce a tidy ending.
That exchange, however, is crucial to our nation鈥檚 discourse, no matter how difficult the conversation. 黑洞社区 recognizes the important role universities play and will present a virtual panel on Freedom of Expression from 3-4:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 31.
Make your voice heard in SGA Elections
SGA Election Polls open at 8 a.m. Monday, April 5 and close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7. Make your voice heard in this year's election by voting for your senatorial candidate, student body president, vice president candidate, and amendments to the SGA Rules and Regulations. Ballots will be sent electronically to your Shocker email. For more information visit or email us directly at sga.elections@wichita.edu.
2021-22 course catalogs now available
The 2021-22 黑洞社区 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs are now live and online! Links to both catalogs can be found at .
Be sure to check out everything that鈥檚 new at Wichita State. Look on the degrees and academic majors page to browse through all undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, programs and certificates. Click on any of the column headers to sort the list the way you want it, or click on the name of the program and go right to the program information.
Curious about admission? Financial aid? Advising? Commencement ceremonies? Links to all this information and more are available in the catalog.
The catalogs are accessible from your desktop, tablet and smartphone.
While we are excited to have the catalog online, we recognize that a printed catalog is still important and handy. Links to download PDFs of the full Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs are located at the bottom right of every page next to links creating PDFs of individual catalog pages.
Shockers talk about freedom of expression
Watch Wichita State students talka bout what freedom of expression means to them and why it's important. Also, be sure to tune in to Speaking Freely at 3 p.m. March 31 to hear from a panel discussion about freedom of expression on college campuses.
NIAR鈥檚 ATLAS announces addition of automated thermoplastic welding, tape-slitting capabilities
黑洞社区鈥檚 National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) announces the addition of two new technologies to its Automated Technologies Laboratory for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS): a fully integrated thermoplastic welding system and a prepreg tape slitting and tow-rewinding machine.
KMUW project connects seniors with penpals
Apply to be a KMUW Pen Pal and get connected with a local senior home to be paired with a kind-hearted stranger who is looking for a friend just like you. This new project is dedicated to connecting community members with one another during this time of pandemic-induced loneliness and disconnection. In the midst of Zoom fatigue, it鈥檚 a great time to look at alternative methods of creating social interaction. To learn more and apply, please visit . Applications are accepted through April 1.
Follow 黑洞社区 on TikTok
黑洞社区 now has an official TikTok account. You can follow @wichitastateu on TikTok, or access the page through our website .
Whether you're looking for fun facts about campus, general information, college tips, or video trends featuring Wu Shock, be sure to follow along. And if you're on campus, you may have a chance to be in one of our videos.
April 2: Deadline for University Libraries awards
There's still time to apply for the University Libraries Undergraduate Research Awards. Deadline is April 2. The University Libraries seeks to award undergraduate students for demonstrating research skills that utilize the libraries' resources, including our collections, services, equipment, and facilities. Get the full rundown of this opportunity at .
Submit nominations for advising awards
Have you received great advising or encouragement? Do you know of an advisor who goes above and beyond for students? Nominate a faculty or staff advisor for the third annual Excellence in Academic Advising Award.
The Advising Network (TAN) is proud to support student success by recognizing advisors at 黑洞社区. Anyone who provides advising services in any role (faculty or staff) is eligible for nomination. Applications will be accepted until April 10.
Freshmen and senior surveys available
The CLA (Collegiate Learning Assessment) and NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement) assessments are now in progress. Freshman and seniors, if selected to participate, you can find a link in Blackboard. Click on the link to find out how you might be eligible for a $25 QuikTrip or $25 Shocker Dollars card.
University Libraries Undergraduate Research Award
Attention, undergraduates! Are you entering Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF)? Why not enter the first ever University Libraries Undergraduate Research Award competition, too? The deadline to apply is April 2, 2021. Let us hear how you have used University Libraries resources in your URCAF project! Prizes will be awarded: $250 for first place, $200 for second place, and $150 for third place.
TRIO Student Support Services is now accepting applications
Student Support Services is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide free academic services to students from first-generation and limited-income backgrounds, as well as students with disabilities.
The free services include: individualized tutoring, academic advising, textbook loans, assistance completing financial aid application, and scholarships exclusively for student participants.
Currently enrolled students who are interested in the program can visit Student Support Services on the third floor of Grace Wilkie Hall in Suite 309, call 978-3715, or go to /sss.
Join Student Activities Council
Want to become a member of SAC? Join us for our biweekly general member meetings at 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Our next meeting will be on March 16. Visit to learn more about us and how to become a member.
Free tutoring available to students
Need some help in your classes? Request a tutor now. Don't delay. The process to request a tutor from your has been updated. Find step-by-step instructions on the Student Success website at www..
Submit entries for grad student photo challenge
Submit a favorite picture you鈥檝e taken of graduate student life 鈥� whether it depicts work, classes, or fun 鈥� and enter for a chance to win a prize. Images of graduate student life will be shared by the Graduate Student Council on social media during Graduate Student Appreciation Week (April 5-9), and the winner will be announced April 8. Deadline for submissions is April 4. If you have any questions, please contact DV Suresh at gsc.eventcoordinator@wichita.edu.
Learn how to support transgender Shockers
International Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31. Now is a great opportunity to learn how we can support transgender Shockers! In this Tuesday Talk, Sara Friesen, APRN, Heather Stafford, and Wichita State students Claire Powell and Jess Prudence discuss the social obstacles that LGBTQ+ students face.
Mathematical foundations of data analysis grad program prepares students for big data work
Data analysis professionals who can apply the principles of data science statistics and analytics and assist with the design and implementation of data systems are in high demand. Wichita State is positioned to prepare them.
鈥淏ig data is a hot career area,鈥� said Ziqi Sun, professor of mathematics. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a local need to hire a lot of people who can understand large data sets and how they can be used.鈥�
In general, big data is described as extremely large data sets that, due to their size, cannot be analyzed with normal statistical methods. Data sets can include images, text, as well as numerical information. Sets may be a collection of customer reviews, social media comments, online visual materials, or records belonging to healthcare systems or banking conglomerates.
Wichita State鈥檚 recently approved master of science in mathematical foundations of data analysis is designed for individuals who wish to pursue a mathematical focus within data science and will promote the fundamental understanding of the mathematics behind data science algorithms and methods. And because the program is part of a consortium of big data degrees that include computer science and business, students will be exposed to how algorithms and methods get applied in real-world settings. Professionals who complete the program will be able to apply the principles of data science statistics and analytics and assist with the design and implementation and manipulation of data systems.
鈥淏ig data has become the revolution of information technology, which is transforming industries around the world,鈥� Sun wrote in the program proposal. 鈥淎long with global demand for employees with expertise in handling big data, there has been a growing need for local Wichita companies as well.鈥�
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mathematical science occupations are projected to grow 27.9% over a 10-year period ending in 2026, a rate that is much faster than the average for all occupations. BLS data also show Wichita as one of the metropolitan areas with high demand for these kinds of jobs.
Fall semester registration at Wichita State for all students begins April 5. For more information, contact Sun at (316) 978-3964 or ziqi.sun@wichita.edu.
Applied linguistics degree now available
If you鈥檝e ever wondered what it is like to create your own language or how a language might be modeled computationally for Alexa, Siri or other voice command applications, you might be interested in applied linguistics.
Wichita State now has an applied linguistics major that can prepare students for a variety of careers, ranging from teaching to speech pathology to speech technology research.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen increasing interest in offering linguistics courses beyond the minor,鈥� Mythili Menon, assistant professor of English and linguistics. said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 also more interest in teaching English as a Second Language and for pursuing linguistics in graduate school. Students want to work on real-life problems and linguistics is a great tool/skill set to solving problems in technology, such as speech recognition, and machine translation.鈥�
The applied linguistics major offers three concentration tracks: general linguistics; speech pathology; and computational linguistics. Students will complete 120 undergraduate hours regardless of track, and will also complete the foreign languages requirement for the bachelor of arts degree. The major is intended to be interdisciplinary and appeal to a diverse student population. It will also be a good double major for students in disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, speech pathology, anthropology, MCLL, applied studies, and computer science.
鈥淟inguistics is inherently interdisciplinary: it studies how languages differ and how they share common features; it is a window into thought and consciousness, and is itself a cognitive process; it is a primary distinguisher of humankind; it is the medium of mass communication,鈥� said Andrew Hippisley, dean. 鈥淚t is therefore not surprising that it is an important component of many disciplines and has seen great growth of interest as the field has developed.鈥�
According to Menon鈥檚 proposal to the Kansas Board of Regents, linguistics has seen tremendous growth in the last 70 years. The field is currently at the forefront of interdisciplinary research in arti铿乧ial intelligence, data science, computer science, speech pathology, natural language processing, and marketing and branding strategies.
鈥淭he BA program of study is designed to be flexible, to accommodate multiple content concentrations while providing enhanced academic training and the highest quality of applied learning experience,鈥� Menon said.
Employment growth is also increasing. For example, the demand for interpreters and translators is rising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 20% growth in employment over a 10-year period ending in 2029, which is significantly faster than the average increase for all occupations. Part of this growth is driven by globalization and the increasing number of non-English speakers in the United States.
During the same 10-year period, computer and information research scientist positions are expected to grow by 15%. People in these jobs create and implement new approaches to computing technology.
Fall 2021 registration at Wichita State for all students begins April 5. For more information, contact Menon at (316) 978-6763 or mythili.menon@wichita.edu, or visit .
Tap into your full potential with Handshake
Join the Shocker Career Accelerator at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 30 in JBC 255, March 30 for the Meeting Your Handshake Potential workshop. Handshake is so much more than a job database. Discover the potential in this powerful career management tool.
KU professor gives physics seminar talk
Please join us for our next seminar talk at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 31 via Zoom. This
week鈥檚 talk features Dr. KC Kong, from the University of Kansas, and the title of
the talk will be 鈥淧article Physics in Computing Frontier." The
Events help grad students with job searches
Join the Graduate Student Council and the Shocker Career Accelerator in our Job Search Success for Graduate Students events. To register, follow the links below:
Head Shocks: Professional Photos
2-4 p.m. March 31 in RSC 142:
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, what does your professional profile picture say about you? The Shocker Career Accelerator is hosting a photoshoot to help you spruce up your LinkedIn profile with a new headshot. Put on your best professional wear, stop by, and smile! No appointment necessary. Social distancing, face masks, and Wichita State University COVID-19 policies apply.
Resume Building for Graduate Students
3-4 p.m. April 6 via Zoom:
The resume is a crucial document in the job search process. Whether you are applying for a part/full-time position, on-campus employment, co-op/internship, graduate school admissions, research, fellowship, scholarships, or volunteer experience, you will need to develop and maintain a professional document to apply for these opportunities. Join this hands-on workshop to help you understand what information is required and the elements of a professional resume to pursue the perfect opportunity for your skillset.
Ace the Interview for Graduate Students
3-4 p.m. April 7, via Zoom:
Join this hands-on session to help you understand what to do before, during, and after an interview and gain an understanding of how to best answer typical interview questions!
Please contact DV Suresh at gsc.eventcoordinator@wichita.edu if you have any questions.
Lunch Social Hour: Womxn in Student Affairs
Join NASPA Gap, NASPA Womxn in Student Affairs KC, and 黑洞社区 Student Affairs for our Lunch Social Hour: Womxn in Student Affairs virtual event at noon on Wednesday, March 31 to celebrate Womxn's History Month.
Let's connect to discuss topics over the challenges, inequities, and mental health issues we face as professionals. Grab your lunch and join us for a roundtable discussion!
Register for the event at . If you have any questions, please contact Trang at trang.bui@wichita.edu.
Learn more about study-abroad opportunities
Interested in studying abroad? Start planning now for programs in 2022. Attend a study abroad information session. In-person and virtual options for information sessions are available during spring 2021 semester.
The last in-person information session of the semester will be on Friday, April 2. Please register in advance if you plan to attend on our website.
More details on study-abroad opportunities
Power up your LinkedIn profile
For some, LinkedIn is the social media equivalent of an awkward networking event. However, 98% of recruiters and 85% of hiring managers use LinkedIn to find candidates. For students, this can be a brilliant way to begin building your network. If you don't know how to use LinkedIn or have never even considered it, come to this workshop where you'll learn how to craft a stellar profile, build a valuable network, and leverage both to your best advantage.
Eric Rauber, higher education learning consultant at LinkedIn Learning, will lead a workshop on powering up your LinkedIn profile at noon on March 30.
For questions or more information, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator at (316) 978-3688 or SCA@wichita.edu. Visit us online at or in-person at Brennan III or John Bardo Center, suite 162.
Shocker Tennis set for home match against UTA
Shocker Men's Tennis takes the court against University of Texas-Arlington at Coleman Tennis Complex at noon today. Admission is free. Head on out to support your Shocker Men's Tennis team!
Get your driver's license renewed on campus
Join the Community Service Board member meetings
Have you ever thought about volunteering? Join the Community Service Board (CSB) for a virtual meeting 3:30-5 p.m. every Thursday afternoon. During meetings you will have a chance to learn about CSB's service events and about ways you can become involved. All meetings will be held virtually. Sign-up at . Still have questions? Email CSB@Wichita.edu.
Virtual cooking class: Comedians in Your Kitchen
Comedy and cooking is always fun together. Come out and learn a new recipe with some fun included at 7 p.m. March 31. Register at .
Join CSB at the Virtual Volunteer Fair today
Join the Community Service Board at the spring 2021 Virtual Volunteer Fair. Students will have the opportunity to hear from local nonprofits and learn about ways to become involved in-person and virtually. After visiting with representatives from five agencies, students will be entered in a raffle to win a bicycle. For more information and to register, visit , and email CSB@Wichita.edu with any questions.
Technology Policy: A Case for Optimism and Freedom to Innovate
The Institute for the Study of Economic Growth in the W. Frank Barton School of Business is proud to bring Adam Thierer to Campus at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14 at Wilner Auditorium and virtual via Zoom. Thierer specializes in innovation, entrepreneurialism, the Internet, and free-speech issues, with a particular focus on the public policy concerns surrounding emerging technologies. In-person attendees will receive a free copy of his book, "Evasive Entrepreneurs & the Future of Governance."
Join CARE Team to learn about Circle of Control
At 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 31, CARE Team will be sharing a video by CARE Coordinator Ashlyn Riley, who talks about mindfulness and how to use the Circle of Control to shift your perspective and alleviate stress and anxiety. Find the video at , or on CARE Team social media @黑洞社区CareTeam.
Plan to check out GRASP showcase on Friday
The Graduate School is proud to present a virtual showcase of graduate student research with the 17th annual Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium on Friday, April 2. Please plan to take a moment this Friday to view student presentations. The link for viewing will go live on the GRASP website at 8 a.m. Friday. Judging will occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join us to celebrate the great graduate student research occurring across campus and the faculty mentorship that supports this.
Win prizes for International Happiness Day
As we wish you a happy International Happiness Day, Wichita State's Cultural Ambassadors are having a giveaway. We are giving away sets of two coasters to seven winners. To enter the giveaway, you must be a Wichita State faculty, student, or staff member. You can enter to win by following , liking our post about the giveaway, and tagging three Wichita State friends in the comments. Winners will pick up their coasters at the Office of International Education. The deadline to enter the giveaway has been extended to Monday, March 29. Good luck, and remember to be happy!
Sign up for intramurals today
Sign up for our Intramural spring activities today at . We have softball, 6v6 soccer, 3v3 basketball, and pickleball starting March 21.
Candle-making kits available from SAC, SGA
As finals week approaches the Student Activities Council in partnership with the Student Government Association wants to remind you to do something for self-care. Take a break for your mental health, and engage your creativity. Register in advance for a make-at-home candle art kit. Registration will close when supplies run out or on April 2, whichever comes first. Your kit will be mailed to you, and you should receive it by April 19. Register at while supplies last. One kit per person with 黑洞社区 ID. Wichita State students only.
Degree Works audit helps you stay on track
Quick! How many classes do you have left before you graduate? Can鈥檛 answer that question? You aren鈥檛 alone. You should regularly be completing a Degree Works audit found on your myClasses tab in my黑洞社区 to know where you stand in your degree program. For questions on your degree audit, contact your college academic advisor or advising center.
Don鈥檛 have a major yet? Curious about career options after graduation? Our stellar staff in the Shocker Career Accelerator can help you explore careers, which can help narrow your focus on choosing an academic major and help guide you to resources to research knowledge, skills and abilities needed for almost any career.
Check-In at events using ShockerSync
Student Involvement is launching ShockerSync, a new check-in that will admit students to events and track attendance. For questions, please contact student.orgs@wichita.edu.
$5 deal at RSC Starbucks: Drink and a danish
From March 30 to April 5, you can buy any grande handcrafted drink and any danish for just $5 at the RSC Starbucks!
Help with morning Meals on Wheels deliveries
Join the Community Service Board for a morning of delivering meals to homebound seniors with Meals on Wheels. Volunteers will meet at Senior Services of Wichita at 10:30 a.m. for a brief orientation and guidance on delivering food according to proper social distancing guidelines. Following orientation, volunteers will be given addresses and food for delivery.
For more information, go to . Please email CSB@wichita.edu with any questions.
Ulrich accepting paid internship applications
The Ulrich Museum of Art on the 黑洞社区 campus is accepting applications from Wichita State students for its paid internship program, which offers valuable experience in the everyday workings of a university art museum. These internships offer students interdisciplinary and experiential learning that is informative on both intellectual and practical levels. Tasks may include assisting with research for exhibitions, cataloging works of art, helping with publicity, participating in exhibition installations, working on programs, and giving exhibition tours. Internships for course credit in fulfillment of curricular requirements are available in coordination with many academic departments.
To apply, please email a current resume accompanied by a cover letter to either Ksenya Gurshtein, curator of modern and contemporary art or Jana Erwin, head of education, summarizing your past experiences related to art and museum work, your goals for the future, and an explanation of why you would like to intern at a university modern and contemporary art museum. Please note: We strongly recommend visiting the museum's exhibitions and exploring this website before writing the cover letter. The application deadline is April 30, 2021.