Everyone is welcome at the ARC
The Academic Resources Conference (ARC) is a free, Zoom-based training conference designed for anyone who is interested. Adjuncts, GTAs, full-time faculty, staff who teach, interested others, and friends from other schools are all invited. Take a look at what we have, and join us for a session or two!
- LinkedIn Learning Challenge: . 1 hour and 15 minute class. (Must activate your WSU LinkedIn Learning account first.)
- 9:00am-11:00am: Microsoft Teams Essentials with Ali Levine. (MyTraining sign-up is required for this session. This session is a suggested prerequisite for Friday's workshop "Using Microsoft Teams to Teach.") There is no Zoom link for this session because you will receive it via email after you sign up in MyTraining.
- 9:00am-Noon: New GTA Onboarding. Mandatory for new GTAs, optional for GTA coordinators and other interested parties. Speakers include Kerry Wilks and Carolyn Speer.
- 9:00am-9:50am: Meet the New MRC LightBoard Studios with John Jones. .
- 10:00am-10:50am: Advanced Panopto with Taylor Moore. .
- 11:00am-11:50am: Managing Your Mental Health During COVID19 with Dr. Lindsey Backer-Fulghum. CAPS programming. .
- 11:00am-11:50am: Copyright Considerations with Jessica Pierpoint and Maria Sclafani. .
- Noon-12:50pm: Faculty Retention Fellows Panel Discussion. ARC Big Read Topic Session: Chapter 10. Moderator: Moriah Beck with panelists from the Retention Fellows. .
- 1:00pm-1:50pm: Helping Troubled Students with Dr. Selena Jackson. CAPS programming.
- 2:00pm-2:50pm: Introduction to Blackboard (with updates for the new SaaS environment) with Mary Morriss. .
- 3:00pm-3:50pm: Fostering an environment for Graduate Student Wellness and Mental Health with Kerry Wilks, Jessica Provines, and joining us from the Graduate College at Missouri State University is Dr. Algerian Hart, Associate Dean. .
- 4:00pm-4:50pm: Using the Blackboard Grade Center with Carolyn Speer.
- 5:00pm-5:50pm: Lightning Round #2: Who Can Help Me?, How to Order Captions for Panopto, Remote Teaching Checklist. Speakers include Carolyn Speer and Taylor Moore. .
ϱ announces new director for the School of Accountancy
ϱ’s W. Frank Barton School of Business has announced Dr. Greg Merrill as the new director of the School of Accountancy. Merrill will succeed long-time Barton School faculty member Dr. Jeff Bryant, who has retired.
Merrill brings more than 40 years of experience in academia and accounting practice to ϱ. He comes to Wichita from Saint Mary’s College of California, where he has served as the chair of the Department of Accounting for the past 10 years.
Environmental Control Director Paul Lytle passes away
ϱ lost a fixture over this past weekend with the passing of Paul Lytle, environmental
Paul Lytle
control director for Facilities Services.
Paul was a lifetime Shocker, graduating from WSU in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science
in Mechanical Engineering. Paul was hired Dec. 11, 1989, as a mechanical engineer
for his alma mater. In June 1993 he was promoted to building systems engineer.
He went on to receive his Master of Engineering Management in 2006 from WSU and was
promoted in December 2018 to director of environmental control.
Paul was a hallmark on campus and made a difference in trying to care for the universities’
infrastructure and make WSU and those who he came in contact with better than he found
them. His smile and can-do attitude will be missed by those of us in Facilities Services
and the greater campus community. Paul is survived by his wife and two adult children
who live in the Kansas City area.
On behalf of the Facilities Services workers and department, we express our sorrow
and at the same time celebrate his life.
University Libraries open for new semester, hosting virtual workshop
Ablah Library is open. Keep up to date with all library hours, building safety procedures and helpful services at . Our expert librarians are back in action for the new year.
Award for Research/Creative proposals due Feb. 12
The Award for Research/Creative projects due date has been extended, and proposals are now due to the Office of Research no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12. The award provides funding of up to $4,000 to enable faculty to pursue research or creative projects during the summer. Proposers must work with a grant specialist in the Office of Research prior to submission, and all complete applications require approval from the chair and dean. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed or considered. Please contact proposals@wichita.edu to get started or visit our website for additional information.
Join Campus Recreation for a semester of fitness
Start the year off right by treating yourself to a membership to the Heskett Center. While it is cool outside, enjoy the indoor track, basketball courts, pool and so much more.
RSVP for virtual Strategic Communications seminar
The fifth annual Strategic Communications marketing and communications seminar for WSU faculty and staff will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan. 21, virtually on Zoom. Attendees may choose three of six sessions. This year's seminar will focus on the 125 years of education and innovation campaign. Gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing and communication efforts.
UP and USS joint senate meeting set for Jan. 19
The UP and USS Senates joint meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, via Zoom. All meetings are open to the campus community. If you are interested in joining the meeting, please email Kayla Jasso at kayla.jasso@wichita.edu for the Zoom link.
View meeting dates, agendas and minutes
Attend the Shocker Volleyball Virtual FanFest
The ϱ volleyball team invites you to attend the first-ever Shocker Volleyball Virtual FanFest, presented by Cox. The free event will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m. Jan. 15. The call will feature Head Coach Chris Lamb and select players, to be announced at a later date.
Topics include a preview of the upcoming season’s schedule, how the team has continued to deal with the obstacles associated with COVID-19, and more. Fans will also have the opportunity to have their own questions answered on the call.
Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program requesting proposals for Seed Research Initiation Grant opportunity
A jurisdiction of the NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program, the Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program (KNEP) is managed through the NASA in Kansas office. The goal of NASA EPSCoR is to provide seed funding that will enable jurisdictions to develop an academic research enterprise directed toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally competitive capabilities in aerospace and aerospace-related research. This capability will, in turn, contribute to the jurisdiction’s economic viability and expand the nation’s base for aerospace research and development.
The Partnership Development Grant (PDG) opportunity recipient is expected to initiate, develop, and formalize a meaningful professional relationship with a NASA researcher. Given this expectation, it is vital investigators and students travel to a NASA center if selected for an award.
Register for Introduction to Office of Research webinar
Join Fran Cook of the WSU Office of Research for a one-hour Zoom workshop, 2-3 p.m. Jan. 13. Topics will include research office resources and contacts; finding funding; project budgeting; and grant-writing tips, with time for questions and answers.
Email proposals@wichita.edu to receive login information.
Info for international students about insurance
Instructors: Please pass the following information on to your international students:
International Student Insurance waivers are due by Feb. 15. Have questions about insurance for international students? Watch the above video of SHS Office Manager Sheryl McKelvey as she explains the basics of enrollment, the waiver process and more.