WSU News

Wichita State's Brian Foster leads game design at Shocker Studios, blending hands-on learning, cutting-edge tech, and industry insight to prepare students.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the musical journey of Gerald “Jerry” Scholl, percussion professor at Wichita State University, as he reflects on a global performance career, impactful mentorship, and his passion for teaching the next generation of musicians.

Explore the inspiring journey of Dr. Irma Puškarević, a Wichita State graphic design professor whose passion for language, typography, and cross-cultural storytelling shapes her research, teaching, and creative work.

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.

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.

Discover how Broadway National Touring performer and WSU alum Amy Baker Schwiethale returned to her roots to lead, teach, and inspire the next generation of artists.

Discover how Wichita State alumna Cosima Le brings creativity and student engagement full circle in her role as Recruitment and Communication Specialist for the School of Digital Arts.

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.

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.

Dr. Lori Santos, Associate Professor of Art Education at Wichita State University, has been named the 2025 Western Region Higher Art Educator by the National Art Education Association (NAEA). Recognized for her innovative "Three Cs" philosophy—Creativity, Culture, and Community—Dr. Santos has transformed art education through leadership, research in Indigenous pedagogy, and community engagement. Her impact extends from Wichita’s USD 259 school district to international collaborations in Peru, emphasizing the power of art to build connections and inspire change. With numerous accolades and a dedication to fostering future educators, Dr. Santos continues to shape the field through service-learning projects, eco-Indigenous art workshops, and cross-cultural initiatives.

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.

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.

The Wichita State University School of Music hosted the prestigious West Central National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) auditions on November 17–18, bringing over 400 vocalists to campus. This transformative event celebrated musical artistry and allowed Wichita State students to compete on their home stage.

Feb. 12, 2025 — The College of Engineering at Wichita State University is hosting a public 5k run/walk that is open to students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members. The 5k will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 on the WSU campus. Registration proceeds from the 5k will go toward the College of Engineering Needs-Based Scholarship Fund.

Melissa Penkava Koza, recently promoted to Assistant Teaching Professor at Wichita State University’s School of Performing Arts, has built a career blending costume technology, education, and industry collaboration. With a background in music and theatre, she has spent over two decades mentoring students and enhancing applied learning opportunities in costume production. As Costume Shop Manager, she oversees WSU’s costume operations while also serving as Head of Costumes at Music Theatre Wichita, bridging academia and professional theatre. Passionate about STEAM education and student development, Koza fosters industry connections, advocates for inclusivity, and works to integrate hands-on experiences into WSU’s curriculum. Her work not only shapes the next generation of theatre professionals but also strengthens Wichita’s arts community through meaningful collaborations and innovative productions.

Jan. 31, 2025 — What started as a work study position in the costume shop of her university’s theater department has propelled Melissa Penkava Koza’s sewing hobby into guiding the next generation of costume creators.

Jan. 21, 2025 — Seeing an opportunity to support partnerships with the Wichita community, Wichita State University has established the new Office of Community Partnerships.