June 15, 2026 — Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research officially opened its new Hub for Advanced Manufacturing and Research following a two-day grand opening event that brought together industry leaders, federal partners, Wichita State and NIAR employees, and the greater community.
May 28, 2026 — Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), in collaboration with Hexcel Corporation, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Hexcel Applications Center.
May 19, 2026 — Wichita State University marked the opening of a federal forensic laboratory on its Innovation Campus, expanding the university’s role in applied learning and national public safety efforts.
March 18, 2026 - Make48 returns to Wichita State University to launch the 10th season of the invention competition and host teams from its first Classroom Innovation Experience on March 20-22.
Jan. 22, 2026 — A staple of Kansas college towns is coming to Wichita State University. Pizza Shuttle — along with its signature flavors and lightning-quick speed — will open in Braeburn Square before the end of January.
Aug. 7, 2025 - Gabey Norris grew up watching her father work as a K-9 unit officer for Saline County in central Kansas. That upbringing sparked her interest in law enforcement and led her to Wichita State University. Norris, a sophomore majoring in forensic science, sees many opportunities in law enforcement after exploring the profession through paid applied learning at the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute at Wichita State.
July 29, 2025 — Brandy Henrickson, a senior majoring in forensic science, recently interned at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Wichita Field Office. Making money while she worked helped her focus her energies on school and the internship.
July 18, 2025 — Wichita State student Carter Duff gained hands-on experience in federal law enforcement through a paid Homeland Security Investigations internship, part of the university’s applied learning program with the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute. The experience gave him career clarity, reinforced his classroom learning, and solidified his goal of working in federal law enforcement.
June 18, 2025 — Hexcel Corp., a global leader in advanced composites technology, is expanding its long-standing partnership with Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research by establishing a Hexcel Application Center inside NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems.
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.
May 21, 2025 — Wichita State University and Dassault Systèmes have opened the Manufacturing Innovation Center, a cutting-edge research and design facility on WSU’s Innovation Campus. Developed in partnership with WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), the center is now available to industry collaborators seeking to explore virtual twin technology, 3D design solutions and advanced automation in real-world environments.
Jan. 23, 2025 - As you return to campus for the spring semester, you will notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State University’s 330 acres and beyond.
Aug. 15, 2024 - As the fall semester begins, you will notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State’s 330-acres and beyond. Shocker Success Center is open and work is underway at the Wichita Biomedical Campus.
June 17, 2024 — You are hereby invited to a Wichita State-cation: From intriguing museums and picturesque selfie spots to exhilarating sporting events, captivating fine arts performances, and delectable dining options, Wichita State is the place to be. Join us and see why our campus is a welcoming, must-visit destination.
