SDX Professional Development Workshops

9/8 at 3:30 - Art of the Phish (jump)
9/10 at 11:30 - Shocker Financial Wellness "Budgeting 101" (jump)
9/10 at 3:30 - ADHD is Real (jump)
9/15 at 3:30 - Finding Your Strengths (jump)
9/22 and 9/23 - First Year Forum: One Book, Many Voices (Common Read) (jump)
9/24 at 3:30 - Learning to "Lean" with LEGOS (jump)
9/25 at 3:30 - Protect the VIP: An Introduction to Systems Thinking (jump)
9/25 at 3:30 - Study Abroad (jump)
9/29 at 3:30 - Time Management (jump)
9/30 at 9:30 - Fish for the Future (Common Read) (jump)
9/30 at 11:00 - Save water by drinking more water (Common Read) (jump)

10/1 at 11:30 - Shocker Financial Wellness "Buying/Leasing Cars" (jump)
10/2 at 3:30 - Seas, Soil and Sustainability (Common Read) (jump)
10/2 at 5:30 - Time Management (jump)
10/3 at 12:30 - Ocean to Table: Designing a Resilient Food Future (Common Read) (jump)
10/6 at 3:30 - Art of the Phish (jump)
10/8 at 3:30 - Effective Networking (jump)
10/9 at 2:00 - Found Sound Symphony Experience (Common Read) (jump)
10/9 at 3:30 - Trash to Treasure (Common Read) (jump)
10/9 at 5:00 - Shocker Relationships Training (jump)
10/15 at 3:30 - Building Resilience (jump)
10/16 at 5:00 - Habit Building, Motivation, and Procrastination (jump) 
10/20 at 3:30 - Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: A Path to Sustainability with Kara McCluskey (jump)
10/21 at 12:30 - Tide & Tranquility (Online) (Common Read) (jump)
10/22 at 3:30 - LinkedIn Profile Workshop (jump)
10/22 at 5:00 - Building Resilience (jump)
10/23 at 12:30 - Water Sustainability (Common Read) (jump)
10/29 at 11:30 - Shocker Financial Wellness "Living On/Off Campus" (jump)
10/29 at 12:30 - Kelp is the new Kale (Common Read) (jump)
10/29 at 3:30 - Professional Image with Shocker Career Accelerator (jump)

11/5 at 3:30 - Shocker Relationships (jump)
11/12 at 11:30 - Shocker Financial Wellness "Scholarship Tips" (jump)

This year's book is Eat Like a Fish by Bren Smith. Get your free copy at the RSC ShockerStore in the basement. Read more about Common Read.

You MUST RSVP for all events with limited capacity.

"First Year Forum: One Book, Many Voices" - Come together with fellow first-year students for an event focused on connection, conversation, and discovery. We’ll dive into Eat Like a Fish by Bren Smith, explore the author’s message through a short video, and engage in meaningful discussion about sustainability and resilience. Led by Carolyn Shaw and Aaron Rife.

• Mon Sept 22nd and Tues 23rd @ 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 2:00
• Room: RSC Ballroom

"Fish for the Future" - Join David Breth, a biologist from Kansas Parks and Wildlife, to learn more about fishing in Kansas and the ecological impact of fishing. A raffle will be held for some starter fishing gear (must be present to win).

• Tuesday Sept 30 9:30 - 10:45 am,
• Room: 141 Woolsey Hall

“Save water by drinking more water: counter-intuitive sustainability tips” - As we start the Water Year, join a discussion about counterintuitive things that you can do to help ensure the sustainability of our water resources. Led by Andrew Swindle

• Tuesday Sept 30 @ 11:00
• Room: RSC 265

"Seas, Soil and Sustainability" - Dive into a conversation that connects the health of our oceans to the heart of our farmlands. Hear from a local agricultural specialist about sustainable farming practices and make your own wheat weaving creation with a local artist.

• Thurs Oct 2 @ 3:30 – 5:00
• President’s Residence
• Capacity: 50. RSVP Required.

“Ocean to Table: Designing a Resilient Food Future” - Explore the critical connections between marine ecosystems and global food security. This interactive design thinking experience challenges students from all majors to empathize with the diverse stakeholders in our food chain. You'll then design and develop creative, user-centered solutions to make our plates, and our planet, more sustainable. Led by Sam Corcoran, Janelle Birkner

• Friday October 3, 12:30-1:30pm
• RSC 265
• Capacity: 30. RSVP Required

"Found Sound Symphony Experience" - This experience will stimulate your sense of sound through participatory creations using real, virtual, and recycled sound instruments. Join us in this interactive experience where we will reframe your understanding of both sound and song. Led by Elaine Bernsdorf, Lucas H, Lynne D, Jacy P, Jeb Wallace.

• Thurs Oct 9 2:00-3:30
• Duerksen Fine Arts Center (at the Amphitheatre if weather permits)
• Capacity: 25 RSVP Required

“Trash to Treasure” - Attend a print-making workshop in the new print making studio and create your own sustainability themed print using found-objects. Led by Marco Hernandez Guillen

• Thurs Oct 9. 3:30 - 4:30 pm
• McKnight 216
• Capacity: 35 RSVP Required

"Tide & Tranquility" - Take some time to relax and find your inner peace listening to ocean sounds with a guided meditation led by CAPS.

• Tuesday Oct 21 12:30 – 1:00 pm
• Online

"Water Sustainability: Conserving Our Most Precious Resource” - In this interactive workshop students will learn more about water sustainability, calculate their water footprint, discuss strategies to conserve water, and develop a personal action plan to reduce their water footprint. Led by Kara McCluskey

• Thursday Oct 23. 12:30 – 2:00 pm
• RSC 262
• Capacity: 40 RSVP Required

“Kelp is the new Kale” - This workshop discusses our food experiences and foods that we may eat more of in the future. Samples will be provided. Led by Rocio Del Aguila

• Weds Oct 29 12:30 -2:00
• RSC 262
• Capacity: 30 RSVP Required

Information literacy is the ability to discover and use various types of information. It's an essential skill for navigating the information age. Take this workshop to learn about strategies for finding information—from a library, archive, database, or the Internet—and the ethics of using it. Also discussed are different types of resources and explains how to evaluate their usefulness and trustworthiness. The librarians also show how to avoid plagiarism and copyright infringement, and accurately cite sources. For students in Shocker Design Experience only.

In-Person Option with WSU Librarians Aaron Bowen and Jessica Pierpoint (75-minutes):

Room: John Bardo Center room 264 OR 338 (check below)

Click here to sign up for one in-person workshop:

• (coming soon!)

Online Option on LinkedIn Learning with Librarian Elsa Loftis (1 hr 47 mins):

• Watch the course on Information Literacy, and
• Submit the certificate of completion at the end of the course to your instructor.

Other Great Ablah Library Workshops:

Tuesday, 9/9/25, 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. Discover the Secrets of Ablah Library: Library Tour and Orientation

Wednesday, 9/24/25, 2:05 p.m. - 4 p.m. The Case of the Missing Grades, a Study Skills Workshop

This engaging and interactive session will help students develop strategies for building positive habits and reducing unhelpful ones. We’ll explore simple, practical ways to stay motivated and tackle procrastination, with opportunities for students to reflect, share, and learn from their peers.

Through guided activities and discussion, students will leave with tools they can immediately apply to improve their routines, boost productivity, and feel more in control of their time and goals.

Room: JBC 338

Click here to sign up for one workshop:

• Thursday, 10/16/2025, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - workshop is now full

There are 168 hours each week--how do you find time for what's important? In this workshop you'll make a plan to make the most of your time and you'll learn about the resources provided by the Office of Student Success. This workshop is for students in the Shocker Design Experience only.

In-Person Option Time Management with Stephanie Coronado (50-minutes):

Room: JBC 338

Click here to sign up for one workshop:

• Monday, September 29, 2025 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - workshop is now full
• Thursday, October 2, 2025 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM - workshop is now full

Online Option - Time Management

Watch these three TED Talk videos linked below to help you rethink how you spend your time. To earn credit for this workshop, upload a written reflection discussing which strategies you'll try from each video, listing specific ways you'll improve your time management.

Watch the following:

1. How to gain control of your free time (11:45)
2. Getting in control and creating space (17:48)
3. How to manage your time more effectively (according to machines) (4:47)

Submit your reflection by including it in your Personal Development Plan assignment.

Can you succeed in college with ADHD? Yes you can! Join the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing to discuss realistic solutions for managing college life and ADHD. Each attendee will receive a free ADHD tool kit to take home.

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Wednesday, 9/10/2025, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Studying abroad doesn't have to be just a fantasy.  If you are curious, determined to try new things, interested in meeting new people and discovering new places, then studying abroad could become your reality. This Study Abroad workshop is offered by the International Education Office to help interested students start exploring their options. Interested students will get to learn about the programs, cost, funding, application process, and more. For students in Shocker Design Experience only.

In-Person Option for SDX Students:

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Thursday, 9/25/2025, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Online Option - Students have the option of choosing to watch our study abroad information session video or attend an information session in-person (dates listed below).

In-Person Option - Sponsored by the Office of Financial Aid, Shocker Financial Wellness is dedicated to developing a community of financially knowledgeable Shockers. Having awareness and confidence about personal finance helps students make smart financial decisions during and after college. Peer Financial Coaches also offer one-on-one peer financial advising on topics like budgeting and saving.

Click here to sign up for any of their workshops:

• Wednesday, 09/10/25 | 11:30AM - 2PM | RSC 142 - "Budgeting 101"
• Wednesday, 10/01/25 | 11:30AM - 2PM | RSC 142 - "Buying/Leasing Cars"
• Wednesday, 10/29/25 | 11:30AM - 2PM | RSC 142 - "Living On/Off Campus"
• Wednesday, 11/12/25 | 11:30AM - 2PM | RSC 142 - "Scholarship Tips"

Online Option - Take the course linked below to help you learn step-by-step techniques to eliminate bad debt, build a good credit score, and generate passive income. This course also explores how to budget, how to use a financial decision matrix, and how to manage risk by setting up an emergency fund and selecting appropriate insurance policies. Take the Financial Adulting course (1h).

To earn credit for this workshop, (1) take a screenshot of your exam results or the completion screens and (2) upload the screenshots, and (3) upload a short written reflection of which 5 new skills, features, or tools you learned in this course that you'll put into practice. For students in Shocker Design Experience only.

Watch the following:

• Click here to take the LinkedIn Learning course Financial Adulting
• Submit your screenshots by including them in your Personal Development Plan assignment.

Your first year in college can be a very challenging time academically and personally. In this workshop, we will spend time focusing on developing skills to be resilient throughout your college experience. We will also discussing imposter syndrome in order to help you overcome any challenges or setbacks you are going through. 

Room: Partnership 2 Building

Click here to sign up for one workshop:

• Wednesday, 10/15/2025 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Room P2 A131
• Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Room P2 A124

Unsure about how to effectively communicate with instructors and peers in college? Worry no more because in this workshop you’ll gain tips and tricks to getting your point across in a productive way when communicating with people through Shocker email, Blackboard, etc.

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• (coming soon!)

This informative and interactive workshop focuses on identifying one’s strengths and learning about how they are embodied and used in our own personal, academic, and professional aspirations. Students will be able to take the world-renowned inventory, access the Gallup Access platform for free, and unlock their top 5 strengths to prompt internal reflection and promote external action. Check out our website for additional information on our strengths-based approach at Wichita State!

IMPORTANT: Complete the CliftonStrengths inventory BEFORE coming to the workshop. It is recommended to set aside 20-30 minutes of uninterrupted time and limit distractions. Note that if you have already taken the inventory for another class, workshop, or reason, you will not need to retake it.

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Monday, 9/15/2025, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

This training will address various relationship types, effective communication, and social media apps. Two people can agree to be in a relationship of some kind, but each person’s definition and expectations associated with that relationship may differ. Also, one person may use a particular app to meet new friends, while others may use it in search of another kind of relationship. We hope students walk away from the session feeling empowered to have the conversations and make clear the types of relationships they are willing or not willing to engage in. Further, we want to keep the momentum going in ensuring that students are familiar with CTAC and how to reach us should they need our assistance.

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Thursday, 10/9/2025, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• Wednesday, 11/5/2025, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Students will work on updating their LinkedIn profiles, creating posts that reflect their innovation journey, learning how to network with professionals in their field.

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Wednesday, 10/22/2025, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

In this workshop, we provide a high level overview of many different topics, including professional dress, professional communication, and interview etiquette. This will help prepare you for presenting your project at the Fall Showcase.

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Wednesday, 10/29/2025, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Read here for the full list of upcoming events and Career Fairs.

Sign up for Resume Pop-Ups 

• Tuesday, Sept. 9 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | RSC First Floor Table #20
• Monday, Oct. 27 | Noon to 1:30 p.m. | RSC First Floor Table #19

Up to 45% off select career wear, shoes, and accessories, when you use the extra 30% off Suit-up coupon available at the event. WSU ID required. To shop online, text SHOCKS to 67292 to get your 30% off coupon.

Register and learn more!

Sunday, 9/14, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. at JCPenney Towne East

 

This workshop will examine AI technology in three parts. First, we will review a brief history of AI and talk about how the most powerful models today work. Then, we will have a prompting workshop where we will use ChatGPT or another language model of your choice - so bring your laptop if possible! Finally, we will touch on a range of ethics issues in AI such as bias, intellectual property, and international relations. 

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for one workshop:

• (coming soon!)

Learn about inventors on our campus! The Matchmaking Program links entrepreneurs, investors and businesses with technology, ideas and opportunities developed at Wichita State. See familiar faces from campus and talk about their stories about being inventors of something new and taking it to the next level. Come ready to do some activities and unleash your creative potential.

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for one workshop:

• (coming soon!)

This presentation will detail the current state of cybersecurity growth, explore hacker motives, and demonstrate how easy it is to get information on individuals and use it to craft a malicious phishing email. Students will be encouraged during the seminar to use their Open Source Intelligence skills to find target data.

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Monday, 9/8/2025, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - workshop was rescheduled
• Monday, 10/6/2025, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - workshop is now full

Creating and nurturing a professional network can be extremely helpful when trying to find a job AND as you progress through your career. In this workshop you’ll gain an understanding of why networking is important and tips and tricks on how to build and nurture your own network.

(Note: this is not computer networking; rather, it is when you build relationships with other professionals both in your career field and in other related fields. It involves talking to people to make personal connections.)

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Wednesday, 10/8/2025, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - This workshop is now full!

We know engineers design things-- cars, airplanes, bridges, computers...but who designs the processes, systems, and methods involved in getting those products to the end-user? Industrial engineers are concerned with the people and the processes involved in manufacturing and service, working to make large and complex systems of people, money, information, energy, equipment, and materials operate more effectively. Come learn about the systems and processes involved in the build of an airplane through a fun, hands-on LEGO activity!

Room: John Bardo Center room 338 OR JBC 264

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Wednesday, 9/24/2025 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM in JBC  338 - This workshop is now full!

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), that are emitted both directly and indirectly into the atmosphere from human activities. This workshop will raise awareness about carbon footprints and provide strategies to reduce them. Participants will learn about their impact on the environment, measure their carbon footprint, and create a personal action plan to reduce their carbon footprint.

Room: John Bardo Center room 338

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Monday, 10/20/2025 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

If you loved our Draw Toast systems thinking activity, you'll want to come to this workshop! For ALL majors!

To develop a great solution, we must properly specify the problem domain. This is a critical step in the Shocker Design Experience and in Systems Engineering. Come learn about Systems Engineering and how to properly specify a problem domain with a fun hands-on activity. 

Room: John Bardo Center room 264

Click here to sign up for the workshop:

• Thursday, 9/25/2025 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - This workshop is now full!

Learn about the various research programs and companies on campus, and receive an overview of UReCA, the Office of Research, and funding opportunities.

Rhatigan Student Center, Room 265

• Tuesday, 9/2/25, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

In collaboration with PPMC, the Office of Research, and the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub (UReCA), we invite you to attend an upcoming grant writing workshop focused on the key strategies that strengthen any successful proposal: alignment, relationships, and storytelling.

Learn how to:

• Align your project with the goals and mission of funding agencies
• Build meaningful relationships that support and elevate your proposal
• Use powerful storytelling to communicate your project's purpose and impact

Whether you're new to grant writing or looking to sharpen your skills, this workshop will help you craft compelling proposals that resonate with reviewers and increase your chances of funding.

Ablah Library

• Wednesday, 9/3/25, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Join the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA) Hub for our first Lunch and Learn of the semester, featuring a panel discussion on differing perspectives of research within a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Bring your lunch — we’ll provide dessert! This event is open to all students, faculty, and staff.

Meet in Ablah Library in the Digital Scholars Commons area. 

Wednesday, 9/24/25, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Got a writing assignment this semester? Maybe a literature review? Join us online for a workshop that simplifies the process. We’ll guide you through researching, pulling together different perspectives, and presenting your findings — so you can tackle your paper with confidence.

Tuesday, 9/16/25, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

RSVP to attend.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to capture and track your writing project resources with Zotero.

You can use Zotero to create citations and reference lists while writing your papers, share resources with your team, and organize your research efficiently.

Tuesday, 9/30/25, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

RSVP to attend.

You’ll uncover the unwritten rules of research papers and learn exactly what you need to succeed in our upcoming workshop. Learn skills to plan, organize, and write research papers with confidence — improving your grades now and giving you an edge in your future career.

Ablah Library, Digital Scholars Commons

RSVP to attend.

Join us online for a workshop to help you make informed academic decisions by learning when AI can strengthen your assignments — and when it can’t. There is no cost to attend. You’ll learn how to use AI to speed up research while spotting its limitations.

Tuesday, 10/21/25, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

RSVP to attend.

Attend our workshop about starting your first article for publication. We’ll explore strategies for planning a new journal article, including conducting a preliminary literature search, identifying a target journal, drafting a working abstract, submitting an application with the IRB, and more.

Ablah Library, Digital Scholars Commons

Tuesday, 11/4/25, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

RSVP to attend.

The Entrepreneurship Research Workshops help inventors and entrepreneurs learn how to protect their intellectual property and support their business through research.

Each event requires an RSVP.

Entrepreneurship Research Lunch and Learn

• (coming soon!)

Intellectual Property Basics - Protect your intellectual property and secure your future. Learn how to safeguard your inventions, designs, creative works, and trade secrets.

• Date/Time: September 18th 12:30-1:30pm
• Location: Ablah Library, Digital Scholars Commons

Market Research for Startups - Successful business ideas require reliable data - learn what information you need and where to find it. Learn resources and strategies for market research - discover industry trends, identify competitors at home and abroad, determine your target market and find where your best customers are located.

• Date/Time: October 23rd 12:30-1:30pm
• Location: Ablah Library, Digital Scholars Commons

Choose one TED Talk video on a topic that you are interested to learn more about. To earn credit for this workshop, write a reflection summarizing the big idea of the video, what was meaningful to you, and if it changed your perspective on anything. Include it in your Personal Development Plan assignment.

Choose from the following:

• TED Talks
• TED Ed

Choose one Humans of New York storyline or series. Analyze how the conversation progressed and extrapolate the interview questions that were asked. To earn credit for this workshop, write a reflection summarizing the big ideas of the interviews, what was meaningful to you, and list out what interview questions you think Brandon Stanton asked in order to get the responses he did. Include it in your Personal Development Plan assignment.

Humans of New York (web) Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Watch these three TED Talk videos linked below to help you rethink how you spend your time. To earn credit for this workshop, write a reflection discussing which strategies you'll try from each video, listing specific ways you'll improve your time management. Include it in your Personal Development Plan assignment.

Watch the following:

1. How to gain control of your free time (11:45)
2. Getting in control and creating space (17:48)
3. How to manage your time more effectively (according to machines) (4:47)

Take these two courses linked below to help you become a better Microsoft Teams user. Take both the Microsoft Teams Essential Training (2h 21m) and Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks (1h 3m). To earn credit for this workshop, (1) take a screenshot of your exam results or the completion screens and (2) upload the screenshots, and (3) write a short reflection of which 5 new skills, features, or tools you learned in these courses that you'll put into practice. Include this in your Personal Development Plan assignment.

Watch the following:

• Click here to take the LinkedIn Learning course Microsoft Teams Essential Training
• Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks

How are you protecting your work? Author and attorney Dana Robinson gives you a high-level overview of intellectual property (IP), including topics such as patents, trademarks, and other protections. Learn the answer to common IP questions and discover an attorney's perspective on how you can best safeguard your ideas, and avoid infringing others' rights. This course includes a 1.5-hour video series with chapter quizzes and a final exam (7 questions). To earn credit for this workshop, take a screen capture of your final exam score and include it in your Personal Development Plan assignment.

Click here to take the LinkedIn Learning course

Want to patent your invention or technology—or avoid infringing on someone else's? Learn the defining characteristics of successful patents, including what is and is not patentable and the types of patents available. Lawyer Dana Robinson shows how to distinguish between good ideas that can be patented as well as good ideas that don't meet the strict requirements of patent law. He also outlines the process and timeline of the patent application process and explains how businesses can avoid infringing on existing patents with a simple search. This course includes a 1-hour video series with chapter quizzes and a final exam (7 questions). To earn credit for this workshop, take a screen capture of your final exam score and include it in your Personal Development Plan assignment.

Click here to take the LinkedIn Learning course

Take these two courses linked below to help you refine your elevator pitch for your idea. This should supplement what you've already learned in Blackboard in the class. Take both the How to Speak so People Want to Listen course (34 min) and How to Create a Perfect Elevator Pitch course (1 hr 50 min). To earn credit for this workshop, (1) take a screenshot of your exam results and certificates from each course, (2) write a written reflection of how you'll modify or improve your pitch script based on what you learned in these courses. Include them in your Personal Development Plan assignment.

Click here to take the LinkedIn Learning course How to Speak so People Want to Listen

Click here to take the LinkedIn Learning course Product Management: Building a Product Strategy (creating an elevator pitch)