“Student Centered. Innovation Driven.®” – More Than Just a Motto

Wichita State brands itself as “Student Centered. Innovation Driven.®” But what does that mean, exactly?

Student-centeredness is not new to higher education. A quick online search will yield broad definitions for the concept, and one institution’s practice might not match other's

At Wichita State, student-centeredness is a commitment to holistic student success through a wide range of opportunities and resources offered to Shockers.

Access and Affordability

Before a student even begins their college journey, they have the advantage of lower costs and fewer roadblocks. Wichita State is proud to be Kansas’ most affordable research university, as well as a more affordable option compared to many regional research institutions. This means students pay less tuition over their academic career.

On top of that, Wichita State is an access-oriented university that doesn’t hang its hat on selectivity, nor does it take pleasure in denying students in the name of prestige. With a more than 90 percent acceptance rate, Wichita State is focused more on celebrating all students who choose to become Shockers and helping them reach their academic and professional goals.

Success Resources

One way to promote student-centeredness – put student support systems right in the middle of campus. The Shocker Success Center houses dozens of departments solely focused on providing students the resources they need. From academic assistance such as tutoring and supplemental instruction, to support for international, military & veteran and TRIO students, the Success Center is the place to go!

Career Focus

With a heavy emphasis on applied learning, Wichita State is not satisfied with only getting students their degree, but also ensuring they have a clear career path upon graduation. The development of the Innovation Campus has brought numerous business and industry partners within walking distance of students’ doorsteps. Not only that but growing local and regional partnerships with the university has opened the doors to continued applied learning opportunities for students of all majors.

At the heart of positive student outcomes is the Shocker Career Accelerator (SCA). Students have year-round access to the SCA’s professionals who assist with career exploration, interview prep, resume building, free professional photos and LinkedIn optimization just to name a few. SCA also engages with hundreds of employers and hosts several on-campus career fairs throughout the year allowing students networking opportunities.

Student-centeredness can mean many things. At Wichita State, it means the roadblocks to getting started are few and there are plenty of people and resources along the way to ensure students see the fruits of their labor.