Luke Parrett

April 30, 2025 — Luke Parrett, a filmmaking major from Oklahoma, chose Wichita State for its proximity to home and the hands-on learning offered at Shocker Studios. His time at WSU has been shaped by applied learning in nearly every class, preparing him to pursue gig work across the Midwest and build a career in the film industry.

Colby Hutson

April 30, 2025 — Colby Hutson came to Wichita State for engineering but found his true calling in music performance, thanks to small class sizes and supportive relationships with professors. After graduation, he’s headed to Colorado State University to pursue a master’s degree in French horn performance.

Ashlyn Riggs works with students at the Child Development Center

April 29, 2025 Ashlyn Riggs came to Wichita State University thanks to its proximity to home and she already had a connection to campus through her mother, who is an active employee. While at WSU, she had the opportunity to work at the Child Development Center as a lead sub teacher all while getting her degree in education.

John Mark Koontz poses with his double bass outside Duerksen Fine Arts Center

April 23, 2025 — John Mark Koontz is graduating with a Bachelor of Music in double bass performance. He credits Wichita State’s faculty and ensembles for shaping his growth. His advice: stay consistent—progress takes time, but it adds up.

Adam Key

April 22, 2025 — Missourian Adam Key, was drawn to WSU for its welcoming community, affordability and emphasis on applied learning. Adam has built an impressive resume through internships, leadership roles and hands-on experiences with local businesses and startups.

Lindsey Mendenhall posing with WuShock

April 22, 2025 Lindsey Mendenhall was able to get more than just an education at Wichita State. Through the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), she got to work in her field while getting her degree and has a job lined up with the NIAR Advanced Materials Lab. Beyond the classroom, Lindsey found that the lessons she learned from teaching her dogs set her up for success in her academic and professional lives.

Tanaya Martin

April 23, 2025 — Tayana Martin, a junior majoring in sport and leadership studies with a minor in sign language, is gaining hands-on experience as an operations specialist with Ennovar at Wichita State. A lifelong Wichitan, Tayana supports student hiring and corporate partnerships while building skills that will serve her well after graduation.

Two girls sit at a table with game pieces in front of them.

April 14, 2025 — The College of Engineering at Wichita State University is hosting an Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day event, commonly known as Girl Day, for high school students from Wichita and the surrounding area. The event will be from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 in the Rhatigan Student Center at WSU.

Two students hold out an artifact from an archeology dig in Texas

April 10, 2025 — Wichita State students spent summer 2024 excavating the Boxed Springs archaeological site in East Texas, uncovering 6,000 years of Caddo history through hands-on research, artifact analysis and academic publishing.

Daniel Reichart poses in front of his research poster at the Kansas state capitol

April 9, 2025 — Daniel Reichart, a senior in aerospace engineering and physics at Wichita State, is researching how to improve particle identification in space using the SNAPPY CubeSat detector. His work simulates how electrons, protons and alpha particles can be distinguished, contributing to a better understanding of solar wind hazards.

Lille Nightingale poses in front of her research poster at the Kansas state capitol

April 7, 2025 — Wichita State senior Lille Nightingale studied wildebeest migration and transformed their movements into a choreographed dance. Her research blends art and science, offering a creative look at the natural world.

Anna Brake poses in front of his research poster at the Kansas state capitol

April 4, 2025 — Anna Break, an Honors Baccalaureate junior at Wichita State, is researching how health literacy affects the acceptability of wearable fetal heart monitors in rural and underserved communities. Her work, under the mentorship of Dr. Nikki Keene Woods, supports a larger effort to expand access to maternal care through remote health technology.

Wichita State photographer at softball content day

April 4, 2025 — Wichita State University students are learning the importance of teamwork and communication in order to handle the pace and conditions working in paid applied learning jobs for the athletic department’s creative team. Knowing they are serving as a conduit from all 16 Shockers sports to their fans makes it a job they enjoy.

Tyler Winn posts with WuShock

April 20, 2025 — Tyler Winn’s journey at Wichita State University has been shaped by perseverance and applied learning. After transferring from a community college to WSU in 2023, he quickly connected with faculty and gained valuable internships, including with the Wichita Thunder and NCAA March Madness.

Wichita State University rowing

March 19, 2025 - Shocker Rowing will celebrate its 50th anniversary on April 26-27 with activities honoring the history of the program at Wichita State University. Founded in 1975, Shocker Rowing has competed at home on the Arkansas River and across the nation in the sport’s most prestigious events.

NCAA Tournament at Intrust Bank Arena

March 18, 2025 - More than 50 Wichita State students will work behind the scenes at the NCAA Tournament on March 20 and 22 at Intrust Bank Arena. Students will help the teams, coaches, families and media. They will put up NCAA signs, set up and tear down locker rooms, hand out credentials and more.

Intrust Bank Arena in 2018

March 14, 2025 - The NCAA’s main event is back in Wichita to continue a long history of Wichita State University bringing this bracket-busting event to the city. Intrust Bank Arena is the site for men’s first- and second-round games on March 20 and 22.

Open Streets ICT – WSU & Shocker Neighborhood

March 4, 2025 - Open Streets ICT returns to Wichita State University’s campus and neighborhood on April 13 with the goal of connecting with young people. Around 8,000 people participated in Open Streets ICT – WSU & Shocker Neighborhood in 2024, double the amount from the previous year.

Several students and adults watch a robot complete the course at a previous MINDSTORMS challenge at Wichita State.

Feb. 27, 2025 — The College of Engineering at Wichita State University is hosting its 25th annual Shocker MINDSTORMS Challenge, a robotics competition for area students in third through eighth grade or ages eight through 14 years old. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 1. The competition portion will be in the Heskett Center, while the awards ceremonies will be in Hubbard Hall, room 208.

Physical Therapy pediatric team

Feb. 26, 2025 – Faculty members on the pediatric team in Wichita State’s Department of Physical Therapy have been awarded a prestigious grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation’s 2024 Priority Impact Quality of Life grants program. The $35,000 grant will provide access to assistive technology to help students in public schools with physical disabilities.