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 28, 2025 — Wichita State University has appointed Dr. Sarah Beth Estes as the new dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Estes brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to student and faculty success.

April 28, 2025 — When the email notification popped up, Dr. Mary Liz Jameson, professor of biological sciences, thought there must have been a mistake. It must have been for someone else at the university or perhaps another Mary Liz at a different university. Once the shock wore away, Jameson realized it was true: She had been elected to the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Sciences Fellows, class of 2024, for her integrated work on entomology.

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 CARE Team and Student Outreach and Support (SOS) are being recognized as a Suspenders4Hope Mental Health Advocate for their proactive support for the campus community. Their work ensures students, staff and faculty alike all have the tools necessary to work and learn at their full potential. Hear from Katie Davidson, director of SOS, on how the teams are supporting mental health.

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.

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.

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.

Feb. 25, 2025 — The National Endowment for the Humanities recently awarded a Wichita State University faculty member $150,000 to further develop a smartphone application that allows visually impaired people to read materials rich in visual content.

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. 14, 2025 — Dr. Moriah Beck's journey as a scientist is rooted in the belief that research is a powerful driver of innovation and personal transformation. For Beck, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Wichita State University, research is far more than an academic pursuit — it’s a way to connect with a global scientific community and spark change.

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. 6, 2025 — Wichita State University will return to normal campus operations Tuesday, Jan. 7.