Author: Ashley Cervantes

Take a break from the rush of coming back from spring break and join TRIO Pop-Out: Spring Social from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 26 at Grace Wilkie Hall, featuring free popsicles, games like cornhole and Just Dance, bingo prizes and six TRIO/GEAR UP programs supporting student success at Wichita State.

The event brings together McNair Scholars, TRIO STEM, Disability Support Services, Student Support Services, Veterans’ Student Support Services, Haysville GEAR UP and Kansas Kids GEAR UP. Explore resources, meet staff and students, and discover support opportunities.

Whether you’re already involved in TRIO or would like to find out more, this is a fun and relaxing way to connect with support services as you take on the final quarter.

Join the very first SSS STEM cohort at Wichita State. This program provides academic support, financial guidance, tutoring, conference travel opportunities and graduate school prep for eligible STEM majors.

Who’s eligible?

• First-generation college students
• Income-eligible students
• Students with a documented disability

Why join?

TRIO SSS STEM is more than a program — it’s a community. It helps you stay on track academically, explore career paths and prepare for graduate school, all while connecting you with resources and opportunities that make your college experience richer.

Are you a first-generation student looking to make a difference? Tri Alpha Honor Society is seeking student leaders to help grow its student organization. It will host tables from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 5 and 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at the Student Success Center. Stop by to find out more.

Benefits of joining Tri Alpha:

• Leadership opportunities: Develop and showcase your leadership skills.
• Networking: Connect with fellow first-generation students and professionals.
• Academic recognition: Be recognized for your academic excellence.

Come out to the table to learn more about leadership opportunities within Tri Alpha. Don’t miss your chance to be part of an organization that values academic excellence and community service.

A doctoral candidate in the Department of Intervention Services and Leadership in Education (ISLE) is conducting a study regarding perceived supportive relationships across the higher education setting. The research is under the supervision of dissertation chair, Dr. Jason Herron.

The study, “Examining Perceived Supportive Relationships Across the Higher Education Setting,” seeks to explore and understand the nature of supportive relationships among undergraduate students within the context of higher education.

As part of the study, researchers are seeking undergraduate students to participate in a 15-minute survey. Their insights and perspectives are crucial to the success of the research. At the beginning of the survey, you will be provided more information about the study and be asked to provide your consent.

Are you a STEM student with a passion for research? Join an informative workshop on the Barry Goldwater Scholarship application process from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room.

You’ll have the opportunity to earn how to craft a compelling application and get your questions answered by experts. This event is sponsored by the Graduate School, Cohen Honors College, McNair Scholars Program and the Office of Undergraduate Research. 

RSVP by email at mcnairscholars@wichita.edu or by phone 316-978-3139

Don’t let the mid-semester blues get you down. Join the Shocker Learning Center and University Libraries for a night of support at its late-night study event, designed for students, from 6 p.m. to midnight March 27 in Ablah Library.

Featuring workshops, tutoring sessions, arts and crafts, mindfulness activities and more. Students will have all the tools they need to conquer the rest of the semester.

Plus, enjoy coffee and snacks to keep you fueled and focused throughout the night. Stay tuned for more information.

The McNair Scholars Program is accepting applications for 2024-25 academic year. McNair assists students who are underrepresented in higher education to prepare for graduate school.

It will be hosting two informational events next month for students who are interested in learning more about the program.

Wednesday, March 6: TRIO McNair Scholars Program informational events:

• In-person at 11 a.m. in 165 Grace Wilkie Annex
• Virtual at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom

RSVP to the events at 316-978-3139 or mcnairscholars@wichita.edu to receive more information.

Student who are unable to attend an informational, can book a time to meet individually at the following link.

Hear from current and former students in the program.

The 28th annual McNair Closing Symposium will be held at 8 a.m. Friday, July 28 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center. The symposium will feature oral and poster presentations.

The symposium represents the culmination of over 200 hours of research and will feature both oral and poster presentations. This year marks the 28th McNair Closing Symposium and the beginning of a new five-year grant cycle. The theme, “Continuing the Legacy,” honors former McNair Program Director LaWanda Holt-Fields who passed away last year.

The McNair Scholars Program is a federal funded program that assists undergraduate students at Wichita State from underrepresented populations in higher education prepare for graduate study. The program offers research participation, scholarly experiences and preparation for graduate school. Through the McNair Research Component, McNair Scholars are paired with faculty members who assist them in developing original undergraduate research projects. In some cases, McNair Scholars may assume responsible roles on the research team of the faculty member.

For more Information, email mcnairscholars@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3139.

TRIO Disability Support Services (DSS) and McNair are accepting applications. To learn about what their programs have to offer and how to apply, visit from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 or from 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 2 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center. To RSVP call 316-978-3139 or email ashley.cervantes@wichita.edu.

TRIO DSS assists first-generation and/or limited income undergraduate students who have learning, physical and psychological disabilities. DSS provides academic support. tutoring, access to adaptive computer equipment and other services that enable its students to persist and graduate.

McNair helps first-generation and limited income or underrepresented undergraduates who are interested in graduate study. Students gain research experience, receive assistance selecting and applying for graduate applications, and have the opportunity for conference travel and campus visits.

Wichita State’s First-Generation Honor Society, the Alpha Alpha Alpha, or Tri-Alpha, is seeking students who want to develop their leadership skills while growing and developing a new student-led organization. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 21 in preparation for membership induction Nov. 9.

Qualifications include the following:

• Neither of the student’s parents, step-parents nor legal guardians have completed a bachelor’s degree
• Student has earned a minimum of 30 credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree
• Student has achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

Graduate students who are first-generation can also be admitted with the completion of a minimum of nine graduate credits and a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5.

Faculty and staff can also qualify for induction by meeting the first-gen definition at the time they completed their bachelor’s degree, and they must be willing to serve as mentors for students.

There is a one-time fee of $25 for students and $40 for faculty and staff for lifetime membership to the First-generation Honor Society.