Author: Kim Kufahl

Dr. Ashlie Jack, senior associate vice president for Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Enrollment Management, and Kelley Smetak, operations and financial director for Academic Affairs, brought the Wu Wagon to celebrate the Shocker Career Accelerator’s (SCA) outstanding teamwork.

They thanked the SCA for their dedication to preparing students for their career journeys, supporting applied learning opportunities and making a meaningful impact on the Wichita State community.

Take a look at the Shocker Career Accelerator’s 2023-24 annual report. As Shocker Career Accelerator reflects on the 2023-24 academic year, it is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of students, employer partners and the team.

At the heart of everything Shocker Career Accelerator does is the mission to empower Shockers with the skills, experiences and connections they need to thrive in their career journey and beyond. It also wants to express its gratitude to partners and Wichita State faculty and staff.

The Shocker Career Accelerator will be closed from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1 to host the Health Professions Career Fair. Students interested in careers in the health professions area can visit the fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center.

Aram Khader has a strong family legacy at Wichita State, including her four older siblings and mother. Attending WSU was a natural step in her career journey. What she didn’t expect, however, was how the university’s applied learning opportunities would shape her career and lead her to a role as a strategy analyst at Deloitte.

Kelly O. Humphries’ career path is a testament to the power of persistence, innovation and a lifelong passion for storytelling and space exploration. From his early days as a journalism student at Wichita State to becoming news chief at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Humphries has spent decades helping shape how the world understands human spaceflight.

The Shocker Career Accelerator will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 6 while it hosts Education Interview Days.

Colleges and departments are invited to submit proposals for the State of Kansas Applied Learning Funds. Special attention will be given to programs traditionally lacking access to paid applied learning opportunities.

What are the funding priorities?

• Areas of greatest need: These funds are designed to level the playing field. Proposals that address areas with limited access to paid applied learning experiences will be prioritized.
• Academic alignment: The work-based experience needs to seamlessly connect with your academic program, ensuring students are building valuable bridges between theory and practice.
• Data-driven approach: The ability to collect data on your program’s effectiveness is crucial. This helps ensure these funds have a lasting positive impact on student success.

Matthew Dixon, a psychology major, has gained valuable professional and personal growth through his applied learning role with HOPE Services (Health, Outreach, Prevention and Education). As one of the first recipients of the Wichita State, State of Kansas Applied Learning Funds, Matthew emphasizes how this opportunity has provided financial stability, allowing him to live off campus.

At HOPE Services, he supports mental wellness initiatives like Suspenders4Hope, helping organize events, update webpages and engage students. His experience assembling HOPE kits for individuals struggling with suicidal ideation was particularly meaningful.

The Shocker Career Accelerator will be closed from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 for the Fairmount College Career Fair. Encourage your students to attend the fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center.

Are you looking for ways to help your students explore career options and make informed decisions about their future? Attend the PathwayU: overview and advisor access training.

PathwayU is the comprehensive career assessment tool, utilized by the Shocker Career Accelerator. It is designed to guide students to their purpose, supporting their success and persistence. In the training session, you will learn how to:

• Navigate the platform’s features, including assessments, career matches, WSU major alignment and military crosswalk
• Gain valuable insights into student interests and career aspirations
• Integrate PathwayU into your teaching or advising practices to empower students

Prior to the session, create an account at wichita.pathwayu.com and take the four career assessments.

Session dates on Teams:

• 11-11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5
• 11-11:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 5
• 11-11:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 2

Register on myTrainings via myWSU.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn a valuable tool that can help your students on their career journey.