Author: Julia Wright

The College of Applied Studies is proud to announce this year’s faculty, staff and partner award recipients. These individuals represent excellence in research, teaching, service, innovation and collaboration across the college and university.

University-level awards

• University Risk-Taker Award: Dr. Angela Beeler
• Excellence in Accessibility Award: Dr. Jason Li
• Young Faculty Scholar: Dr. Reagan Murnan

CAS awards

• CAS Champion: Shocker Athletics
• Professional Achievement: Dr. Sun Young Lee
• Research Award: Dr. Wonyoung Kim
• Service Award: Dr. Valerie Thompson
• Student-Centric Staff: Sherri Holle
• Administrative Staff: Maria Wehby
• Lindquist Teaching Award: Dr. Reagan Murnan
• Technology Innovation: Robin Folkerts

Special recognition

• Dr. Clay Stoldt, for over a decade of leadership and service

The College of Applied Studies will be well represented at the 2025 American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting, with faculty and student scholars sharing research, leading presentations and earning national recognition. The conference will be held April 23-27 in Denver, Colorado and is one of the largest gatherings of scholars in the field of education.

CAS student and faculty scholars to present:

Student scholars: Hollie J. Weatherburn, Shelly Coleman-Martins, Van Williams, Tamara Huff, Rachael Webb, Kiela Wood, Kayla Day and Kurt Siklar

Faculty scholars: Sun Young Lee, Victoria Koop (Sherif), Heidi R. Stinchcomb, Angela Beeler, M. Patricia Hernandez-Nuhfer, Lakaya Bieker, Kristin Sherwood, Valerie J. Thompson, Beata M. Latawiec, Christie Henderson and Jennifer Ingrid Friend

Award recognitions:

Dr. Sun Young Lee, assistant professor in the School of Education, will receive the 2025 Early Career Award from AERA’s Critical Issues in Curriculum and Cultural Studies (CICCS) Special Interest Group. The award will be presented Friday, April 25.

Wichita State sport management major Larissa Raigosa got her first hands-on experience in the sports industry by working at the 2025 NCAA basketball tournament in Wichita. As part of the duplication team, she delivered game stats to media during timeouts and postgame interviews — learning the importance of communication, teamwork and adaptability along the way.

She also received praise from colleagues and instructors for her performance. The opportunity gave her valuable insight into the behind-the-scenes logistics of major sporting events and confirmed her passion for the field.

WSU faculty and staff can earn a certificate of completion by attending the upcoming Corbin Connect: Four-part workshop – Building Bridges: Spanish language, culture and creating welcoming spaces in an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution.

The four-part workshop will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Fridays, March 28 through April 18 (March 28, April 4, April 11 and April 18) at Wichita State Connect.

In addition to earning a certificate of completion, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in experiences to gain a foundational understanding of Spanish language and culture and sample foods from Latin America.

The certificate does not bear academic credit, nor would it qualify for inclusion on an academic transcript.

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 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. every Friday from March 28 to April 18 at Wichita State Connect.

• 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 (certificate does not bear academic credit, nor would it qualify for inclusion on an academic transcript)

Be sure to RSVP by March 20

The event is presented by Credit Union of America, College of Applied Studies, 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.

The College of Applied Studies is inviting all WSU faculty to its professional development session on growth mindset pedagogy. The presentation will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room with lunch provided. There is also a Zoom option available for those who cannot attend in person.

Faculty interested in attending are asked to complete the RSVP by Feb. 24.

The session will be led by Dr. Carolyn Speer, director of WSU’s Office of Instructional Resources. In addition to engaging the audience around the growth mindset approach to pedagogy, the session will include discussion on the range of additional professional development options available to faculty to advance teaching effectiveness.

Wichita State and its College of Applied Studies are leading efforts to improve literacy education across Kansas through structured literacy initiatives and teacher preparation programs. A recently awarded AmeriCorps planning grant will support the launch of the READ Initiative, providing structured literacy support in underserved elementary schools.

Additionally, the CLEAR Initiative, launching in spring 2025, will serve as a statewide hub for literacy research, educator training and direct student support. WSU is also partnering with KBOR institutions and Washburn University to develop new graduate-level coursework for in-service teachers. These efforts align with the Blueprint for Literacy Kansas legislation, ensuring students and educators have access to high-quality literacy education.

Wichita State’s College of Applied Studies (CAS) has officially launched Sigma Chi Alpha, a new chapter of the Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International (CSI). Founded by Dr. Mahsa Maghsoudi, the chapter aims to promote scholarship, leadership and excellence in counseling.

The inaugural initiation ceremony on Feb 1 welcomed new officers and members at the W.I.S.E. Counseling and Play Therapy Clinic.

The College of Applied Studies invites you to the Corbin Connect Speaker Series: Leadership and Ethics in Education Summit from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14.

Presented in partnership with the Credit Union of America, the free event features a keynote address by Dr. Jill Koyama, vice dean of educational leadership and innovation at Arizona State University. A cultural anthropologist and renowned scholar, Dr. Koyama will explore how principled innovation can drive impactful change in education.

Participants will gain practical tools and strategies for fostering meaningful collaboration and innovation. Learn directly from Dr. Jill Koyama, a leader in education policy and equity; and leave inspired and equipped to create impactful changes in their schools and communities.

The College of Applied Studies invites you to the Corbin Connect Speaker Series: Leadership and Ethics in Education Summit starting at 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 14 in the Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

Presented in partnership with the Credit Union of America, the free event features a keynote address by Dr. Jill Koyama, vice dean of educational leadership and innovation at Arizona State University. A cultural anthropologist and renowned scholar, Dr. Koyama will explore how principled innovation can drive impactful change in education.

Attendees will enjoy a hot breakfast, engaging breakout sessions and practical tools for fostering collaboration and innovation in their communities.