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Members of the physician associate program pose in front of a wall with Wu on it. Members of the program are all wearing shirts that read "Suspenders4Hope #WeSupportU," with stylized yellow suspenders that are made up of different words printed on the shirts.

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.

Cara Gerhardt

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.

Dr. Nikki Keene Woods, Dr. Heidi VanRavenhorst-Bell, Dr. JaeHwan Byun, Dr. Waruna Seneviratne, and Dr. Nick Solomey

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.

Innovation Campus

July 20, 2026 — JetZero will open an engineering office in the John Bardo Center on Wichita State University’s Innovation Campus near the National Institute for Aviation Research.

Wichita State University campus

July 20, 2026 — The National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems today announced a landmark strategic partnership designed to position Kansas as the nation’s leading hub for Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations, uncrewed aircraft system testing, advanced aerial mobility and autonomous flight development.

Go Baby Go

May 19, 2026 - GoBabyGo, a program that modifies children’s cars so that children with disabilities can enjoy more mobility, celebrates its 10 th anniversary at WSU this month. In early May, the program had its delivery day, the culmination of months of interdisciplinary work by students, staff and mentors to customize the cars at no cost to the six families.  

Cynthia Pizzini

May 13, 2026 - Cynthia Pizzini found the support she needed as an adult learner at Wichita State University. Scholarships and applied learning opportunities helped her complete her studies and continue her career path in community development. 

Alice Ukoha

May 13, 2026 - Alice Ukoha jumped into Wichita State’s applied learning opportunities in the community, on campus and while studying in Costa Rica. Her experiences boosted her degree in health science and into her next step.

Rafael Guereque

May 13, 2026 - Wichita State’s faculty and admissions staff took the time to learn about Rafael Guereque’s plans for life, and that personal attention brought him to campus. At WSU, he participated in clubs and organizations, learned alongside Wichita Police Department officers and built a foundation for his next phase. 

Edna Flores Cisneros

May 13, 2026 - Wichita State University’s numerous scholarships helped Wichitan Edna Flores Cisneros earn a degree by minimizing financial stress.

Estella Armenta

May 13, 2026 - Estella Armenta transferred to Wichita State University to get more involved on her college campus. At WSU, she served in an executive role in the Hispanic American Leadership Organization and is a McNair Scholar.

Dulce Torres Gonzalez

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.

Autymn Schreiner

April 29,  2026   The reputation of WSU’s physician associate program brought Autymn Schreiner to Wichita after earning her undergraduate degree in Topeka. Her advice to future Shockers: “Lean into grit and determination throughout your time at WSU.” 

Manuel Salamanca

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.”

Mikhail Yeremin

April 29,  2026   Mikhail Yeremin has spent his years at Wichita State honing his choral conducting skills. He’ll now take that knowledge and experience to the classroom as he heads to Colorado.