Wichita State University news releases, media contacts and resources

The Strategic Communications news and media relations team supports the university and its many departments and centers with news coverage, from announcing major news to promoting upcoming events, all with an eye on the mission and vision of Wichita State.

 

All Media Releases    WSU Experts Guide

News and Media Relations staff

Lainie Mazzullo-Hart

Director of Communication (Primary media contact)

lainie.mazzullo@wichita.edu

316-978-3409

Sara Tank-Ornelas

Speechwriting and Copywriting Manager

sara.ornelas@wichita.edu

(316) 978-7287

Paul Suellentrop

Senior Communicator

paul.suellentrop@wichita.edu

(316) 978-5536

Caelin Bragg

Newsletter Editor

caelin.bragg@wichita.edu

(316) 978-3013

Resources and links

All Media Releases

 

 

July 30, 2025 -- Media are invited to attend iCan Swim and iCan Bike, two summer camps that help children with disabilities learn to swim and ride a two-wheel bicycle independently.

July 14, 2025 — Wichita State University has been named a partner in the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps Great Plains Hub — a $14 million initiative that equips researchers, students and entrepreneurs with the tools to move ideas from the lab to the marketplace. The first WSU-led cohort begins Sept. 15 and will further strengthen the university’s innovation ecosystem.

July 1, 2025 Admission applications to Wichita State University are now being accepted today, July 1.

June 12, 2025 — Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) has received a patent for VISION, an AI-powered composite inspection robot designed to detect and repair damage on aircraft parts autonomously. Developed at NIAR’s Automation Research Center and recently installed at a U.S. Army facility, the system uses machine learning to analyze inspection images and speed up aircraft maintenance.

June 9, 2025 — Shocker Composites, founded by Wichita State alum Vamsidhar Patlolla, transforms carbon fiber waste into high-performance, sustainable materials using a recycling method he developed during his graduate research. With support from Wichita State’s NIAR and Innovation Campus, the company is scaling up its impact and demonstrating how university-backed startups can drive real-world innovation and sustainability.