Empower students, faculty, staff and the greater Wichita community to create a culture and experience that meets their ever-changing needs.

Wichita State is focused on providing an environment that meets the needs of the faculty, staff, and greater Wichita Community. The 2022 academic year was no exception. The university invested $6 million in additional employee compensation during the first year of implementing the market-based compensation philosophy and practice to ensure fairness and equity in our pay practices. The Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership (SEAL) continued to focus on student engagement with on-campus events and activities and in the greater Wichita community. The Wichita State Engaged Series held monthly conversations to hear from students, faculty/staff, and neighbors on ways Wichita State is engaging to collectively address challenges, create solutions, and foster environments to drive prosperity. This is only the beginning as Wichita State continues to focus on being an educational, cultural, and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.


Strategic Plan Objectives

 

Strategic Plan Objectives Academic Year 20221
Provide opportunities and resources that facilitate work-life balance To promote work-life balance, HR and Legal collaborated to formalize a Remote Work request process. This request process ensures the employee and university understand all related tax and employment law implications for each individual situation. Additionally, HR partners with leaders on defining expectations and practices when implementing flexible schedules within their departments.  
 
During the holiday shutdown, the President approved two additional paid administrative days for benefit-eligible employees. 
Provide structural resources, policies, practices, and oversight that foster transparency among campus groups and ensure diverse and inclusive participation Wichita State transitioned to a market-based compensation philosophy and practice to ensure fairness and equity in our pay practices. The university invested $6 million in additional employee compensation during the first year of implementation.  
 
To improve the on-boarding experience of non-benefit eligible employees and support hiring managers, we created a webpage with policy & processes, forms and instructional information.
Create and promote the use of inclusive campus spaces aligned with the Facilities Master Plan The Facilities department completed a space utilization study as well as a facilities condition assessment to prepare for the university master plan process.The facilities management plan will be underway in 2023 with the final report in 2024.  The Student Success Center is underconstruction and will be completed by Summer 2024.
Support and recognize contributions from campus community members and partners Through the Wichita State Engaged Series, the Office of Strategic Engagement & Planning holds monthly conversations to hear from students, faculty/staff and neighbors on ways Wichita State is engaging to collectively address challenges, create solutions, and foster environments to drive prosperity. Creating this dialogue highlights and elevates campus culture, inclusion and partnerships at Wichita State. The Office of Strategic Engagement and Planning hopes to support, connect, enhance and celebrate engagement activities and prosperity initiatives for our University and neighbors.
Develop an intentional plan to increase student engagement on campus and in the greater Wichita community The Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership (SEAL) create opportunities for students to serve, explore, engage, advocate and lead during their time at Wichita State. SEAL exists to facilitate an engaged campus culture where students are empowered to maximize their potential by creating opportunities for personal growth and world-readiness. SEAL is dedicated to providing events and activities that enhance the Shocker experience through Alternative Breaks, Community Service Board, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Leadership Development, National Student Exchange, Studrent Government Association, Student Organizations. In addition, SEAL hosts annual events such as Family Weekend, Greek Retreat, Homecoming, Lead Conference, MGC Yardshow, Step Show, and Songfest. 
Create and foster a culture at all levels (department, College and University) that supports recruitment, retention, and advancement of women and URM Faculty  HR Talent Consultants conduct intake meetings with hiring managers to educate and partner in writing job postings to appeal more to females and under-represented applicants.  For example, reducing and/or broadening the number of preferred requirements to eliminate or lessen possible barriers and be more inclusive of diverse backgrounds. In addition, Talent Consultants are offering options for diversity recruiting sites for both specialized faculty and non-teaching positions.  
1 AY22 Results represent Fall 2021, Spring 2022, and Summer 2022 academic semesters.

Stories

Enrollment increases at Wichita State thanks to focus on student experience and economic growth

Woolsey Hall, new home of the Barton School of Business, opens for classes soon

Wichita State designated Age-Friendly University for focus on range of learning opportunities

WSU's Shocker Success Center: An oasis of opportunity