WSU News - All Stories

Aug. 25, 2026 — Wichita State University continues to expand its commitment to mental health and wellness across academic disciplines. The physician associate (PA) program has officially been recognized as the next Suspenders4Hope® Mental Health Advocates on campus. This designation highlights a curriculum-wide effort to prioritize psychological safety and awareness for both future practitioners and the patients they will serve.

Aug. 6, 2026 – Wichita State graduate student Cara Gerhardt has been named as the inaugural recipient of the Janice M. Riordan Endowed Doctoral Nursing Fellowship by the Ascension Via Christi-Wichita State University School of Nursing and WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement.

July 30, 2026 — Five Wichita State University faculty and staff members will be featured in a weeklong takeover of NPR's "The Academic Minute," sharing research on topics that include public health, artificial intelligence in education, advanced space manufacturing and particle physics.

May 20, 2026 — Dr. Moriah Beck, Talaty Endowed Research Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Wichita State University, has been elected a 2025 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious scientific societies.

April 30, 2026 — Wichita State University has selected Wichita Northwest High School senior Dulce Torres Gonzalez as the 2026 recipient of the $34,000 Mark and Stacy Parkinson Scholarship.

April 29, 2026 — Wichitan Ben Sauceda chose Wichita State in part for the grants that helped him graduate with minimal student debt. Through applied learning at the Kansas Aviation Museum, he plans to continue working in the nonprofit sector after graduation, encouraging others to embrace challenges and “try hard things.”

April 29,  2026  — Wichitan Carlos Sosa has spent his time at Wichita State honing his audio production skills at the School of Digital Arts, and now he’s ready for a career in multimedia production. He encourages Shockers to “get engaged and build connections” while they’re at WSU.  

April 29,  2026  —  Manuel Salamanca shaped his Wichita State experience through hands-on aerospace engineering work, including NASA Jumpstart, student aircraft manufacturing and competitive design-build projects. A first-generation and military-affiliated student, he will serve on active duty with the U.S. Air Force after graduation before pursuing a master’s degree in aerospace engineering.  

April 29,  2026  — As a recipient of both the Clay Barton and Rudd scholarships, Bella Kilman has distinguished herself on the Wichita State campus. Through the Rudd Foundation, student government and internships, she built her resume and found a family among the campus community. 

April 29,  2026  — Since Hannah Schwemmer was a little kid, she has wanted to be a musician and performer. Now, with a degree in hand, she's making her dreams come true.

April 29, 2026 — Sheida Sharafi has curated her younger self’s ambition to be a doctor into a medical-adjacent field: biomedical engineering. During her time at Wichita State, she has honed her professional skills through several applied learning and research experiences.

April 29, 2026 — A homegrown Wichitan and first-generation college student, Joshua Villa’s journey at Wichita State was marked by extensive leadership, service and advocacy across campus.

April 29,  2026  — Mitchell Steele maximized his Shocker journey. With multiple on- and off-campus internships, research opportunities and a featured role on Wichita State’s episode of “The College Tour,” Mitchell built a truly holistic and meaningful experience during his time here.  

April 29, 2026 — Paraguayan Ana Jara Valenzuela first visited Wichita State as an undergraduate exchange student in 2022. She loved it so much that she decided to return to earn a graduate degree and professional certificate.

April 29,  2026  — Riley McMillan’s advice to new Shockers: “If you have the ability to do so, say 'yes' to every opportunity that comes your way; you will not regret it.” She’s spent her time at Wichita State doing just that with a full menu of experiences, including cancer research, as a student ambassador and as a Shocker Navigator.