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From left: Dr. Waruna Seneviratne, WSU President Rick Muma, Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, Hexel CEO Tom Gentile, and Dr. John Tomblin

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.

VISION machine

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.

NIAR building at Wichita State

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.

Braden Webb

May 7, 2025 Braden Webb, a Gore Scholar, capitalized on Wichita State’s strong engineering program and his passion for transportation issues. He worked at NIAR WERX, studied in London and interned for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in Washington, D.C.

Jacob Greenwald

April 22, 2025 - Jacob Greenwald came to Wichita State from Lenexa. He used the applied learning opportunities at WSU to land a job as a software engineer at the National Institute for Aviation Research.

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.

Wichita Biomedical Campus architectural drawing by Helix+CO Architects

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.

A Wichita State University graduate waves at the camera, surrounded by other graduates.

Dec. 11, 2024 – A total of 1,209 students are eligible to participate in Wichita State University’s 127th fall commencement ceremonies Sunday, Dec. 15 in Charles Koch Arena.

NSF graphic

Nov. 26, 2024 — Wichita State University has entered the top 10 in the country in engineering research and development expenditures, according to data announced this week by the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development Survey. WSU is also No. 1 in the country for aerospace engineering expenditures.

As the fall semester continues, you will notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State’s 330-acres and beyond.

Milly Marcus Annex

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.

Map of the new testing facility.

June 14, 2024 Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) is adding a new capability to its portfolio aimed at growing the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) market and attracting new business to the region and state.

NASA SUITS student

May 20, 2024 - Wichita State is one of 10 teams which advanced to the spring semester competition in the NASA SUITS challenge. The team travels to Test Week in Houston at the Johnson Space Center this week. The list of finalists includes the University of California Berkeley, University of Colorado, University of Michigan, Georgia Tech, Purdue University and others.

Shocker Success Center

Feb. 15, 2024 - From the center of campus to downtown Wichita, Wichita State University’s footprint continues to grow and offer new opportunities for students and our community. As the spring semester rolls on, you will notice ongoing and new construction across our 330-acres and beyond.