Author: WSU Strategic Communications

The Office of Instructional Resources, which serves students by helping instructors be the best they can be, is looking for an instructional design specialist.

This role is pivotal in supporting faculty through technological training, particularly with Blackboard, and creating engaging online video content. You will be responsible for curating our monthly newsletter, highlighting instructional design topics, trends on campus, and noteworthy events for content. We are our academic resources support with opportunities for professional development, cultivating means in which to pass on instructional knowledge to assist faculty in thinking more creatively and staying up to speed with the rapidly advancing classroom dynamic.

• Develop and deliver comprehensive tech training sessions for faculty members.
• Assist with the utilization and troubleshooting of Blackboard learning management system.
• Produce and maintain high-quality online video resources for faculty.
• Take charge of the monthly newsletter, ensuring it reflects the trends and happenings pertinent improvements of instructional design.
• Support academic events by identifying and distributing educational resources.
• Foster professional development, encouraging faculty to embrace creativity in their classroom.

Staff Senate and Human Resources are excited to offer faculty and staff a professional development opportunity made possible through grants they wrote and were awarded by the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC). The grant provides a select number of seats for their leadership development path which starts with step one, When Everyone Leads.

Based on KLC’s bestselling book, “When Everyone Leads,” this six-hour course makes leadership radically accessible and inclusive, unleashing capacity for collective leadership in teams, organizations, coalitions, and communities.

All faculty and staff are invited to go to the HR professional development website to learn more and find instructions for submitting an interest form.

Join the College of Applied Studies in celebrating Sherena Langley at a come-and-go retirement reception from 2 to 4 p.m. July 23 in 301 Rhatigan Student Center, Gridley Room.

Sherena has dedicated 25 years of service to Wichita State University, leaving an indelible mark through her roles as an administrative specialist, academic advisor and director of the Advising Center since 2010. Sherena’s impact extends beyond her immediate responsibilities. Her willingness to go above and beyond to support our students, the College of Applied Studies and the entire university has been invaluable. Please join in celebrating Sherena’s achievements and express gratitude for her service and leadership. Help honor the positive impact of her career at this special event.

Join Wichita-area science enthusiasts for the last presentation of the academic year at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 at Social Tap Drinkery on Wichita State’s Innovation Campus. Katlin Dunsing from the Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks) will present “Nurtured by Nature: The Cognitive and Physical Effects Nature Has on Humans.” Dunsing will present the science-based benefits that being in nature can impart on the lives of humans and how it supports our health. Dunsing previously worked as a naturalist at the Great Plains Nature Center and now is the assistant director of the Milford Nature Center in Junction City.

Science on Tap is hosted at Social Tap on the Wichita State Innovation Campus at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month from August to May. These events are designed to be a free, safe space for all scientifically interested people to gather, learn, discuss, and share their interests and discoveries.

Pathway to Nursing, a collaboration between Wichita State University and Kansas State University, is celebrating its first cohort of graduates. This program, which aims to supply nurses to rural Kansas, admitted its first cohort in fall 2022: Elyssa Lenz, Carly Howard, Jana Rosich, Alexis Streeter, and Kelby Wilson.

This achievement would not have come without the collaboration of the esteemed faculty and staff at both universities. For more information about this program, please email Dr. Laura Sooby, assistant director of the Pathway program, at laura.sooby@wichita.edu or visit our website.

Fairmount Street between 17th Street and Perimeter Road will be closed for repairs and maintenance beginning Monday, May 13. Work is expected to last approximately 10 days. All traffic, ADA stalls and reserved stalls in this area will be suspended during this time.

Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) requests a minimum of 30 business days to process letters of support or participation in research. It is WSU’s responsibility to have appropriate support from the school(s)/personnel that will be involved in the project prior to submitting a request.

Letters of support/grant proposals: WSU personnel who need a letter of support or USD 259 participation on a grant proposal should complete the External-Request for Grant Support form and are encouraged to reach out directly to Holly Wilson at hwilson@usd259.net early in the process for questions/clarification.

Research requests: WSU personnel who want to conduct research in USD 259 must download and complete the Research Request Document. Investigators are encouraged to reach out directly to Will Graves at wgraves@usd259.net early in the process for questions/clarifications.

As a reminder, all proposals submitted on behalf of WSU must be reviewed by the Office of Research prior to submission. This includes proposals where WSU is a direct recipient of funds and proposals where WSU is a proposed subawardee/subcontractor. Contact the Office of Research at proposals@wichita.edu to get started.