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 — Bryonna Hawk is passionate about helping others through speech-language pathology and will continue her studies in Wichita State's graduate program. She credits her success to strong time-management strategies and hands-on experiences at the Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic.

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 29, 2025 — Sayed Mohib Hassan came to Wichita State University thanks to the W. Frank Barton School of Business and its business analytics program. While at WSU, Sayed made sure to make the most of his time by engaging in extracurriculars, participating in clubs and working for the Graduate School and recommends his peers do the same.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dec. 16, 2024 — Javier Martinez received the Mark and Stacy Parkinson Scholarship, which, alongside Wichita State University’s closeness to home and mechanical engineering program, made it a no-brainer for Javier to attend WSU. He used the opportunities available to him as a Shocker to stay up on his studies and now joins his peers in graduating with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.