Three women stand in front of the Great Seal of the State of Kansas and U.S. and Kansas flags at the Kansas State Board of Education meeting. The woman in the center holds her framed teaching license while two Wichita State representatives stand beside her.

Teacher Apprenticeship Program

The College of Education Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP) was recognized at the Kansas State Board of Education meeting March 10.

Jill Wood, TAP coordinator, and Dr. Julie Thiele, chair of the Department of Teacher Apprenticeship Pathways, Literacy, and Special Education (TALS), participated in a presentation alongside Shane Carter, Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) director of licensure, Shonda Anderson, director of the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeships, and faculty from the Tonganoxie School District. The group presented on the KSDE Registered Teacher Apprentice Program and its partnership with Wichita State’s TAP.

Wood and Thiele were recognized by the Kansas State Board of Education and participated in the presentation with KSDE regarding the Registered Teacher Apprentice Program.

During the presentation, Megan Alexander, a Wichita State TAP graduate, was recognized as the first registered teacher apprentice to complete the collaborative program. She was awarded her teaching license by Kansas Commissioner of Education Randy Watson.

Dr. Kim Moody speaks at a podium with a Wichita Public Schools logo during a press conference in an elementary school library. The event announced a new literacy pilot partnership focused on strengthening early childhood literacy for Wichita students.

WSU College of Education partners with WPS, KSDE and KBOR on early literacy pilot program

Wichita State’s College of Education, Wichita Public Schools, the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Board of Regents have partnered to launch a pilot program focused on strengthening early childhood literacy for Wichita students.

During a Wichita Public Schools press conference held March 10 at Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet Elementary School, Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld, WPS Assistant Superintendent for Learning Services Holly Ingram and Dr. Kimberly Moody from the College of Education shared information about the four-week program that will serve kindergarten through second-grade students.

The pilot program will take place at Mueller Aerospace and Engineering Discovery Magnet Elementary, Spaght Science and Communications Magnet Elementary, and Washington Accelerated Learning Elementary School. The initiative will combine literacy instruction, high-dose tutoring and enrichment activities designed to support early reading development.

Wichita State teacher candidates will serve as tutors throughout the program, gaining hands-on classroom experience while supporting young learners.

Stacy Chestnut, English teacher at East High School, Wichita Public Schools; Holly Ingram, assistant superintendent of learning services, Wichita Public Schools; Tammy Martin, executive coordinator of new teacher induction, Wichita Public Schools; and Heidi Stinchcomb, associate dean of the College of Education at Wichita State University, stand together on stage at the NASUP Annual Conference. Two members of the group hold blue glass award plaques, and a conference banner highlighting school-university partnerships is displayed beside them.

WSU’s College of Education and Wichita Public Schools receive national partnership award

The College of Education and Wichita Public Schools received the 2026 Exemplary School-University Partnership Award from the National Association for School-University Partnerships (NASUP).

The award was presented Feb. 13 at the NASUP Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. and recognizes sustained impact in educator preparation. The WSU and WPS partnership was established in 1995 and is one of the longest continuously operating collaborations of its kind in the region.

Each year, more than 450 Wichita State teacher candidates complete clinical experiences in USD 259 classrooms, supported by hundreds of cooperating teachers and school leaders. The partnership strengthens the educator pipeline and prepares professionals to serve Wichita’s schools.

Stacy Chestnut, English teacher at East High School and WSU mentor teacher, received the NASUP Mentor Teacher Award.

Two Wichita State esports players compete at gaming stations, wearing headsets and team jerseys while focused on their screens during a Rocket League match.

Wichita State esports Rocket League team qualifies for College Rocket League main event

Wichita State Rocket League qualified for the College Rocket League main event for the first time in program history Feb. 28.

The 16-team season culminates in the College Rocket League National Championship. Wichita State earned its spot through the second open qualifier after narrowly missing qualification in the first. The team defeated Virginia Tech, Davenport, The Autonomous University of Nuevo León, No. 22 Columbia College and No. 11 Oklahoma Christian.

“It’s been an extremely long time coming. After four years of improving, it’s an honor to have the opportunity to finally represent Wichita State on the biggest stage in collegiate esports,” said senior and team captain Brooks Valdez.

Matches are broadcast on Twitch, with links available on the esports program’s X account, @esportswsu.

Graphic featuring bold black text reading “College of Education” at the top, with a collage of historical and modern photos from Wichita State University. Images include archival classroom scenes from the mid-1900s, students in a lecture setting, a graduate receiving a diploma at commencement, and current students wearing Wichita State apparel. The design uses black, white and yellow school colors. In the bottom right corner, a “College of Education 100th Anniversary” mark appears alongside the Wichita State University logo.

Wichita State’s College of Applied Studies returns to College of Education name during centennial year

As the College of Applied Studies at Wichita State marks its centennial, it is honoring its origins by returning to its original name: the College of Education. The name change took effect March 1 and coincides with the college’s 100th year. The update reflects the college’s historical identity and its current academic focus on education and related professional fields.

As part of the transition, the School of Education will become the School of Teaching and Learning, and the department formerly known as Intervention Services and Leadership in Education (ISLE) will be renamed Counseling, Educational Leadership, Educational and School Psychology (CLES).

Academic programs, degrees and faculty remain unchanged.

Graduation photo featuring a Wichita State graduate in cap and gown shaking hands on stage. Overlaid text reads: “New Scholarship Opportunity: Patterson Family Foundation Scholarships.” Bullet points note 30 Teacher Apprentice Program scholarships valued at $9,500 each. A yellow circle highlights the deadline: Apply by 4/1/2026.

Share new TAP scholarship opportunity with students

Faculty and staff are encouraged to share a new scholarship opportunity within Wichita State’s Teacher Apprentice Program with prospective students or those who may be interested.

Through support from the Patterson Family Foundation, 30 scholarships valued at $9,500 each are available to eligible students.

The scholarship allow students to:

  • Continue working as a paraprofessional or long-term substitute while completing the program
  • Earn the Limited TAP license and serve as teacher of record before graduation

Students must apply by April 1.

Promotional graphic for the Corbin Connect four-part workshop series titled “Building Bridges: Spanish Language, Culture and Creating Welcoming Spaces in an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution.” The graphic lists Fridays, February 6 to 27, 2026, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at Rhatigan Student Center, Room 265. Session dates shown are February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2026. Logos for Credit Union of America, Wichita State University, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Office of Hispanic Serving Initiatives, and the College of Applied Studies appear at the top.

RSVP for Building Bridges workshop series: Spanish language, culture and creating welcoming spaces in an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution

All WSU faculty and staff are invited to attend the Corbin Connect Building Bridges workshop series: Spanish language, culture and creating welcoming spaces in an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Dates:

  • Feb. 6: Session one
  • Feb. 13: Session two
  • Feb. 20: Session three
  • Feb. 27: Session four

Time: 1-2:30 p.m.

Location: 265 Rhatigan Student Center, Lucas Room

Participants will:

  • Engage in interactive experiences to gain a foundational understanding of Spanish language and culture
  • Sample foods from Latin America
  • Earn a professional development certificate upon completing all four sessions (the certificate does not bear academic credit and does not qualify for inclusion on an academic transcript)

The series is presented by Credit Union of America, College of Applied Studies, WSU Corbin Connect, Office of Hispanic Serving Initiatives, and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures in Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

RSVP for Corbin Connect Speaker Series – ‘Smart Schools: Navigating AI in K–12 Education’

The College of Applied Studies invites you to a panel discussion exploring how AI is being used in classrooms and administrative offices across Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) at noon Wednesday, Oct. 29 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Room. Hear firsthand insights from education professionals on the opportunities and challenges AI brings to K–12 learning.

Boxed lunch provided courtesy of Credit Union of America Spots are limited, so RSVP by Oct. 24 to reserve your seat.

Ian Stevens, a Wichita State physical education student, stands on the field at Riverfront Stadium with a Wichita Wind Surge player and College of Applied Studies Dean, Dr. Jennifer Friend. The stadium scoreboard behind them shows the group’s photo during Credit Union of America’s Educators Night.

WSU Physical Education student throws out first pitch at Wichita Wind Surge game

Wichita State physical education student Ian Stevens had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at the Wichita Wind Surge game Aug. 28 during Credit Union of America’s Educators Night. The evening recognized educators and future teachers who make a lasting impact in classrooms and communities.

Stevens was recently named the 2025 Physical Education Student of the Year and has been actively involved in his field, serving on the KAHPERD Board and volunteering at community events. He begins student teaching this fall, continuing his journey toward inspiring students to live healthy, active lives.

His first pitch at Riverfront Stadium served as a celebration of his achievements and a spotlight on the College of Applied Studies’ commitment to preparing the next generation of educators.

Landscape image of Corbin Education Building with blue sky

College of Applied Studies returns to Corbin Education Center

Faculty and staff in the College of Applied Studies will move back into Corbin Education Center throughout the week, starting Monday, Aug. 25.

The building, located on the north side of campus, has been closed since March 2024 after a water line break caused flooding in the basement. Since then, crews have worked to restore and prepare the facility for reopening.

Designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright and dedicated in 1964, Corbin Education Center is both a protected historical site and the long-time home of the College of Applied Studies. Named after former WSU President Harry F. Corbin Jr., the center is one of the most recognizable and iconic structures on Wichita State’s campus.